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Cajun Baked Salmon Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 92 reviews

Deliciously spiced Cajun Baked Salmon Bites that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These flavorful salmon cubes are coated in a smoky, savory Cajun seasoning blend, baked to perfection using a clever Japanese foil technique for ideal texture, making them perfect as a snack, appetizer, or a protein-packed addition to rice bowls and salads.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets, skinless, cut into 2.5cm (1 inch) cubes (~600 – 700g / 1.2 – 1.4 lb total)

Cajun Seasoning Mix

  • 2 tsp paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 3/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt (adjust if using table salt or flakes)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (do not substitute fresh garlic)
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for slight spiciness)
  • 2 1/2 tsp tightly packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 240°C (460°F) or 220°C (425°F) if using a fan-forced oven to ensure high heat for a crisp bake.
  2. Prepare Foil Tray: Lightly crinkle a sheet of aluminum foil and then gently unfold it to keep wrinkles intact. Place it on your baking tray and fold edges to secure. Repeat to cover the whole tray. This wrinkled surface lifts the salmon, preventing sticking and soggy undersides, a clever Japanese cooking technique.
  3. Make Cajun Seasoning and Coat Salmon: In a bowl, thoroughly mix paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. Add olive oil and stir to combine. Toss the cubed salmon in this seasoning mixture until evenly coated.
  4. Arrange Salmon on Foil: Spread the seasoned salmon cubes evenly on the prepared crumpled foil, spacing them out to promote even coloring and crispiness.
  5. Bake the Salmon: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes without turning the pieces. Bake until the salmon bites are lightly browned on the outside and cooked through.
  6. Serve: Remove from the oven and promptly transfer the salmon bites off the tray to prevent overcooking from residual heat. Serve immediately on their own or as part of Cajun salmon rice bowls with fresh veggies and your choice of sauces.

Notes

  • Do not substitute fresh garlic for garlic powder as fresh garlic burns under high heat.
  • The crumpled foil technique helps keep the salmon from sticking and avoids soggy undersides for better texture.
  • Adjust salt quantity based on the type used; table salt is stronger than kosher salt.
  • Cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
  • These salmon bites work wonderfully as a protein topping for salads, rice bowls, or on their own as an appetizer.
  • Leftover salmon can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh.

Keywords: Cajun salmon, baked salmon bites, spicy salmon appetizer, healthy salmon recipe, easy salmon recipe, baked seafood bites

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/cajun-baked-salmon-bites-recipe/