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These juicy baked salmon bites have become my favorite dish when I want to wow dinner guests while keeping things healthy. The mix of soft, flaky salmon formed into succulent meatballs paired with creamy avocado dip creates a wonderful mix of tastes and textures that gets everyone asking for more.
I first came up with these salmon balls when looking for new ways to get more seafood onto our family table. Even my picky kids asked for seconds which told me this would definitely become a regular meal in our house.
What You'll Need
- Salmon fillet: Gives you lean protein and good-for-you omega 3s. Try to get wild caught when you can for better taste and nutrients
- Breadcrumbs: Hold everything together while adding nice texture. Panko makes lighter balls than standard crumbs
- Egg: Works as the key binding agent that keeps everything together
- Fresh parsley: Adds brightness and a pop of color contrast
- Garlic powder and paprika: Add depth without taking over the gentle salmon flavor
- Ripe avocado: Makes the base of your creamy sauce. Pick ones that give slightly when pressed
- Sour cream: Brings tang and smooth texture to the sauce. Full fat gives the best richness
- Lemon juice: Stops avocado browning and adds needed brightness to balance the rich salmon
- Fresh garlic: Adds just the right kick that works well with the salmon
Making Your Salmon Balls
- Get your oven ready:
- Warm up to 375°F and lightly oil your baking sheet. The oil helps create a golden outside and stops sticking.
- Combine your ingredients:
- Mix all meatball stuff in a big bowl with a light touch. Don't overwork it or they'll get tough. Stop when everything's just mixed. The mix should feel a bit sticky but still shape easily.
- Form your balls:
- Take tablespoon amounts and roll between slightly damp hands to make smooth balls. Put them on your sheet with some space between. A little oil drizzled on top helps them brown nicely.
- Bake them up:
- Cook in your hot oven for 12-15 minutes until just done at 145°F inside. Don't overcook or they'll dry out. They should feel slightly firm when gently pressed.
- Make your sauce:
- While they're cooking, blend all sauce ingredients until smooth. A food processor works great but a blender or even good hand mixing will do. You want it thick enough to coat a spoon.
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What I love most about this dish is how the salmon keeps its wonderful flavor even when shaped into balls. My grandma who always said she hated salmon actually asked for my recipe after trying these at our family dinner last month.
Keeping It Fresh
These salmon balls stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. To warm them up, cover loosely with foil and heat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until hot. You can microwave them too but they might get a bit tough.
The avocado sauce tastes best when fresh since avocados turn brown quickly. If you need to make it ahead, push plastic wrap right onto the surface and add extra lemon juice to help keep the color nice. It'll stay good this way for about a day.
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Great Serving Ideas
For a fancy starter, put these balls on small picks with the sauce in a little bowl for dipping. As a main meal, serve with green asparagus and fluffy brown rice or quinoa that soaks up all that yummy sauce. A light glass of Sauvignon Blanc or mild Pinot Noir goes perfectly without overpowering the delicate salmon taste.
Change It Up
When salmon isn't available, try using firm white fish like cod. For a dairy-free version, swap the sour cream with coconut yogurt in the sauce. Gluten-free folks can use crushed rice crackers instead of regular breadcrumbs. Fresh dill makes an amazing substitute for parsley if you want a more traditional Nordic flavor with your salmon.
Common Questions
- → How do I keep my salmon balls from crumbling?
The mix of egg and breadcrumbs works as a natural glue. Make sure you chop the salmon into tiny pieces and mix everything thoroughly before shaping your balls.
- → Can I swap fresh salmon for canned?
Definitely! Just drain the canned salmon completely and pick out any big bones to get the right consistency and taste.
- → How can I get my avocado sauce really creamy?
Throw the avocado, sour cream, lemon juice, and garlic into a blender or food processor and mix until it's silky smooth. Then taste and add salt or pepper as needed.
- → Is it OK to freeze these meatballs?
Absolutely! You can freeze them before or after cooking in a sealed container. When you want them, heat them in the oven at 375°F until they're warm all the way through.
- → What goes well with these salmon balls?
They taste amazing with a simple green salad, some oven-roasted veggies, or even on top of pasta if you want a bigger meal.