Description
Deliciously seasoned Cajun baked salmon bites featuring perfectly cubed salmon fillets coated in a flavorful Cajun spice mix and baked to a light golden brown. These salmon bites are quick to prepare and ideal for serving as a snack, appetizer, or as part of a hearty Cajun salmon rice bowl with fresh veggies and zesty sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets, skinless, cut into 2.5cm / 1″ cubes (~600 – 700g / 1.2 – 1.4lb total)
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tsp paprika (regular/sweet, smoked also lovely)
- 3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt, +50% for flakes)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder (do not substitute with fresh garlic, will burn)
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for slight spiciness)
- 2 1/2 tsp brown sugar (tightly packed teaspoons)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 240°C/460°F (220°C fan-forced) to ensure the perfect temperature for baking the salmon bites.
- Prepare Foil Base: Lightly scrunch up a sheet of aluminum foil, then gently unfold it so it remains wrinkled. Place this onto a baking tray and fold the edges to create a shallow tray. Repeat with another sheet to cover the entire tray. The wrinkles lift the salmon slightly, preventing sticking and soggy undersides, a clever technique inspired by Japanese fish cooking.
- Make Cajun Seasoning: In a bowl, combine paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and brown sugar. Mix well to create a uniform spice blend.
- Coat Salmon: Add the cubed salmon fillets to the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Add olive oil and toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly with the Cajun spice blend.
- Arrange Salmon on Foil: Spread the coated salmon cubes evenly onto the prepared wrinkled foil on the baking tray. Ensure they are spaced out to promote even browning and avoid steaming.
- Bake Salmon Bites: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the salmon for 12 minutes without turning. The salmon should be lightly browned on the edges and cooked through.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the salmon bites from the oven and transfer them off the tray promptly to halt further cooking. Enjoy warm as a tasty snack or use in dishes like Cajun salmon rice bowls with fresh vegetables and complementary sauces like peri-naise or sriracha mayo.
Notes
- Using the crinkled foil method prevents salmon from sticking and helps maintain a crisp texture on the bottom.
- Do not substitute garlic powder with fresh garlic as fresh garlic will burn at high baking temperatures.
- Spacing the salmon cubes during baking ensures better browning and texture.
- For spicier salmon bites, increase the cayenne pepper according to your taste preference.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with rice bowls, avocado salsa, fresh vegetables, and creamy or spicy sauces like peri-naise or sriracha mayo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Keywords: Cajun salmon bites, baked salmon, Cajun seasoning, healthy seafood appetizer, easy salmon recipe, baked fish bites
