These crispy Smoked Salmon Zucchini Cakes or Patties with Lemon Dill Dip make a healthy savoury appetizer. They're baked, not fried!
Disclosure: I received sample product for review purposes. The opinions expressed are completely my own, based on my experience.
Summertime is seafood time here on Canada's West Coast! Local gardens got an early start this year and they're overflowing with fresh vegetables. When Seachange Seafoods from Saltspring Island sent me packages of their wild Maple Glazed Smoked Salmon to review, I decided there was no better way to sample a local seafood product than by combining it with garden-fresh vegetables.
These Smoked Salmon Zucchini Cakes make a fabulous appetizer to welcome summer.
These zucchini patties are crispy little bite-sized appetizers. They have a light smoky flavour with no "fishy" taste. Chili flakes add a little heat, and red onion contributes a crunch. With a dollop of Lemon Dill Dip on top, they'll be snapped up quickly!
Denis and I have been smoked salmon fans ever since I can remember. Sometimes we're lucky enough to catch and smoke our own, but it's great to learn about local companies who are doing all the work for us! Seachange Seafoods produces a variety of smoked salmon products using wild Canadian salmon. Their products are attractively packaged with a long shelf life, ready to send as gifts all over the world to be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Smoked salmon is such a versatile product.
I use it to add flavour and protein to salads, like this Asparagus Salad with Smoked Salmon and Sesame Miso Vinaigrette and to make interesting and flavourful appetizers like these Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms and these easy, 10-minute Smoked Salmon Cucumber Appies.
I only need small amounts of smoked salmon to add a wealth of flavour to a recipe.
Traditionally, we fry appetizer cakes or fritters like these. However, I've found that I can get the same crispy texture by baking them in the oven and avoiding extra fat and calories from oil.
Here are a few ways I've discovered to keep them crispy and to avoid soggy cakes.
How to make the crispiest baked smoked salmon zucchini cakes
- Leave ample space between the patties on the baking sheet. If they're too crowded, they tend to steam, not crisp.
- Keep them dry. Thoroughly drain the moisture from the zucchini before combining it with the other ingredients. Excess moisture evaporates during cooking and creates steam, resulting in a soggy zucchini cake.
- Use a high heat. Set the oven temperature to 400°F. to sear the cakes and crisp their surface.
- Use crispy Panko crumbs (gluten-free, if necessary) instead of bread crumbs.
- I use a cookie scoop to create evenly sized patties, arrange them on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet and press them down gently to flatten slightly before baking.
Bake ahead of time!
An added bonus? You can make these Smoked Salmon Zucchini Cakes ahead of time and quickly reheat them just before serving. You can also freeze them before baking. I freeze them on a baking sheet, then store in a tightly covered container until I'm ready to thaw them and bake them.
These Smoked Salmon Zucchini Cakes are perfect for a dockside picnic or wherever you celebrate with friends and family.
Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Zucchini Smoked Salmon Cakes with Lemon Dill Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded zucchini measured after squeezing water out
- ¼ cup red onion very finely chopped
- 1 cup Panko crumbs (Use Gluten-Free Panko if desired)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano finely grated
- 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon smoked sea salt*
- 100 grams smoked salmon chopped or crumbled
Lemon Dill Dip
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shred the zucchini and place it in a colander. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon sea salt, cover with a saucer or small plate weighed down with a can or another small bowl and let stand to draw off the water.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.
- Press the water from the zucchini, squeezing with your hands, if necessary. After draining, it will measure about 1 cup. Add this to the mixture in the bowl, tossing to combine.
- Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, form small patties, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Press the mixture together firmly to prevent crumbling after they're cooked..
- Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, flip and bake 5- 6 minutes more or until lightly browned. Carefully remove to a wire cooling rack. Serve with Lemon Dill Dip.
Notes
Nutrition
More gluten-free zucchini recipe ideas!
- Cheesy Crustless Zucchini Quiche (Keto)
- Paleo Zucchini Carrot Quiche
- Fresh Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups
- Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Crispy Baked Zucchini Patties with Lemon Tahini Dip
Jerolyn Szuch
These were outstanding, so flavorful! My husband loved them. Thank you for the recipe. I was wondering if you have ever tried freezing them before baking them?
Flavour & Savour
Thanks so much for letting me know! Yes--I freeze these all the time. Just wrap tightly and store. That was you'll have them ready for a quick meal or for an appetizer!