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Cajun Baked Salmon Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 119 reviews

Delicious Cajun Baked Salmon Bites featuring tender, flavorful salmon cubes coated in a homemade Cajun seasoning blend and baked to perfection using a clever Japanese foil trick to prevent sticking and ensure even browning. Perfect as appetizers or served over rice bowls with fresh vegetables 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 to avoid burning)
  • 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)

Others

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 240°C / 460°F (220°C fan-forced) to ensure it is hot enough for a nicely browned finish on the salmon bites.
  2. Prepare Foil Tray: Lightly scrunch up a sheet of aluminum foil and then gently unfold it so it retains wrinkles; these wrinkles create little pointy bits that lift the fish, preventing it from sticking and getting soggy underneath. Place this foil on a baking tray and fold the edges to secure it. Repeat with another sheet of foil to cover the entire tray.
  3. Make Cajun Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly to blend all spices well.
  4. Coat Salmon Cubes: Add the salmon cubes to the bowl with the Cajun spice mix and drizzle olive oil over. Toss carefully to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with seasoning and oil.
  5. Arrange Salmon on Foil: Spread the coated salmon cubes onto the prepared foil tray, spacing them out as much as possible to allow better browning and even cooking.
  6. Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes without turning the salmon. The high heat and foil trick will help the salmon bites develop a light brown crust while remaining tender inside.
  7. Remove and Serve: Once baked, remove the salmon from the tray promptly to prevent carryover cooking. Serve immediately as bites or atop rice bowls with fresh veggies, sauces like Peri-naise, or mayo-based sriracha mixtures.

Notes

  • Use the crinkled foil baking method inspired by Japanese fish cooking techniques to avoid soggy bottoms and sticking.
  • Do not substitute garlic powder with fresh garlic in this recipe as fresh garlic tends to burn at high baking temperatures.
  • The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
  • Salmon bites can be served on their own or incorporated into rice bowls with vegetables and complementary sauces for a complete meal.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: Cajun salmon, baked salmon bites, easy salmon recipe, seafood appetizer, Cajun seasoning, healthy fish bites, oven baked salmon

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