Lunch doesn’t have to be complicated! These Easy Curry & Apple Salmon Cakes (also known as salmon patties) are a fast, fuss-free way to get a healthy lunch on the table for your little one (and you!). Crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, they’re packed with protein and healthy omega-3 fats. They come together in under 10 minutes, that’s less time than it takes to convince my toddler to put on her shoes.
Toddler Tips:
- Mix It Up – Let your child stir the mixture! Will it get messy? Potentially. Will they be more likely to eat it? Yes!
- Mini Cakes = Maximum Success – Make them small and bite-sized for little hands. These are also a great baby-led weaning option!
- Dip It! – Serve with a fun dip like yogurt + lemon. Toddlers love a good dunking situation.
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Ingredients
- canned salmon
- egg
- bread crumbs
- grated apple
- smoked paprika
- curry powder
- oil of choice for pan
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for How to Make Easy Curry & Apple Salmon Cakes
Drain the canned salmon and then add to a bowl and mash. Add all of the ingredients and stir until mixed.
Heat up a frying pan and add some olive oil (or oil of choice). Form the mixture into small patties and scoop onto the frying pan.
Cook on each side until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Serve with sides such as some vegetables and yogurt for dipping!
Substitutions
- Gluten-free: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Canned Salmon: You can swap in canned tuna
- Egg-free: You could use a flax egg
Variations
- Veggie Boost: Mix in a ¼ cup of finely diced onion or grated carrot
- Fresh herbs: I love mixing in a little dill, chives or fresh cilantro!
- Different spices: You can swap out the curry powder and use just smoked paprika and some garlic powder
Equipment
- Medium frying pan
- Medium bowl
Storage
Store cooked salmon cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze these in a sealed container for up to a month. Reheat in a frying pan or air fryer to crisp the texture back up.
Top tip
Make Ahead: These freeze beautifully. Just cook, cool, and freeze. Pop them in the oven or air fryer to reheat.
Nutrition Tip
Canned salmon is an amazing nutritious and accessible food to include, especially when fresh fish isn’t available. Fun fact: canned salmon and tuna are currently more affordable (2025) than they were five years ago!
Canned salmon is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids (DHA & EPA), which is so important for brain development for little ones. Plus, it’s a good source of calcium. Many people often wonder about canned salmon that has the bones in. The bones in canned salmon are made soft via the canning process, and therefore are safe to consume. You can remove them if you wish, or simply thoroughly mash them, but they are soft and are edible and are an excellent source of calcium.
💡 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Health Canada both recommend fish as a great first food to include.
FAQ
Can I use fresh salmon instead of canned?
Absolutely! Simply cook and flake about 6-7 oz of fresh salmon before mixing it in. Be sure to check for bones, as the bones in fresh fish are not soft and can pose a choking hazard.
Can I bake these salmon cakes instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. You won’t get the same crispy edges, but they’ll still be delicious.
Can I feed salmon cakes to my baby?
Yes! This recipe was actually inspired by me wanting to find a quick and easy lunch for my baby that included fish. These are a great baby-led weaning food to serve.
Can I make salmon cakes in the air fryer?
These work great in the air fryer. Or if you are looking for another air-fryer option, check out these air-fryer cauliflower tater tots.
Recipe
Easy Curry and Apple Salmon Cakes
Equipment
- 1 frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 can salmon 7 ounce
- 1 apple grated, about ½ cup
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or oil of choice for frying pan
Instructions
- Add the canned salmon to a medium bowl and mash thoroughly.
- Grate the apple and add to the salmon. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, curry powder and smoked paprika.
- Heat a medium frying pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil.
- Form the mixture into patties. Add onto the frying pan.
- Heat on each side until golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve with any sides you want! These go great with some yogurt and veggies.
Nutrition
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