Deep Fried Salmon Recipe

This deep fried salmon recipe is sure to make everyone at the table happy. It's crispy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside, and filled with flavor in every bite. Seriously, if you're looking for the ultimate healthy and delicious meal - that's also incredibly quick and easy to make - this deep fried salmon is it!

 

My Take On Deep Fried Salmon

 

Baked or pan fried salmon is my usual go-to when making salmon for dinner. Buuuut, last week, I wanted to cook a little outside my comfort zone, and make some deep fried salmon instead.

Well, let me tell you, deep frying salmon like I'm about to show you down below is my new favorite way to cook it. And my family feels the same way too. Even my 2 year old can't get enough of it.

It's got a crunchy golden breading that's packed with flavor, wrapped around perfectly tender, flaky salmon fillets. Gah, it's so good.

 

 

 

Anyway, besides how delicious this fried breaded salmon is, it's also super easy to make too. In fact, the recipe is made with simple ingredients and it's ready in just about 30 minutes.

 

A recipe that's both super yummy and super quick and easy to make, what could be better than that?!

 

Honestly, this deep fried salmon recipe is right up there in my list of the best fish dinners ever, alongside this air fryer catfish recipe and this bourbon glazed salmon recipe.

I can't wait for you to try it and see how good it is for yourself. 

Why This Recipe Works

It's simple to make. You just have to bread the salmon, which is really quick and easy to do, and then fry it to golden brown perfection. 

The texture. The crispy and crunchy breading is the perfect coating for the flaky salmon.

An instant family favorite. I mentioned that my daughter loves this recipe, and my wife does too. It's a meal we make on a regular basis, and I have a feeling your family will love it just as much.

 

 

Ingredients

 

Alright, all the ingredients for this Southern deep fried salmon recipe should be easy to find in your nearest supermarket.

 

In fact, a lot of these are common pantry staples, so I wouldn't be surprised if you have everything you need on hand already.

 

Here's everything you'll need for this breaded salmon:

 

• 6 salmon fillets, or to taste
• 1 ½ cups cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tsp. lemon pepper
• 1 tsp. white pepper
• 3 eggs
• 4 lemon wedges
• vegetable oil for frying

 

As you can see, these are all pretty much your basic breading ingredients.

 

But don't let that simplicity fool you; this deep-fried salmon may be easy to make but comes out tasting restaurant-quality. Kind of like this fried mahi mahi - which happens to have a lot of the same ingredients and is another one of my favorite fried fish recipes!

Oh, and if you have to run to the store, grab everything you need to make this Martha White cornbread. It makes the perfect side for the salmon. By the way, you'll want to pick up some extra salmon fillets so you can make these blackened salmon bites for dinner next!

How To Make Deep Fried Salmon 

Step 1: Prep Work

First, pour enough oil into a deep pot for frying the salmon fillets. However, if you want to make this a pan fried salmon, you can also fill a large skillet with just enough oil to cover half of the fillet's thickness and have great results too.

Anyway, start heating the oil up to 350°F (180°C) over medium heat. You can do this before - or after - preparing your breading, depending on how quickly your oil will heat up. Be careful not to heat the oil to the smoking point though.

Step 2: Bread The Salmon

Now, as the oil is preheating, mix the cornmeal, seasonings, and salt into a bowl and combine well.

In a second bowl, crack the eggs and beat until the yolks combine with the whites. 

Then, pour the flour into a third bowl for the breaded salmon process. 

Next, prepare the fish fillets by cutting them into thick strips. Oh, and be sure to keep them all approximately the same size so they finish cooking at the same time.

Now once the breading and salmon fillet strips are ready, start breading the fish.

To do that, dredge the salmon in the flour on both sides to get it completely covered. Then, coat the salmon in the beaten eggs, followed by the seasoned cornmeal.

Step 3: Fry and Serve

Once the oil is hot enough and the breaded salmon is ready, start frying the salmon in batches until golden brown on each side. This should take about 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cuts. And if you're doing the pan fried salmon method, cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side - until golden.

Now, after the salmon has cooked thoroughly, you'll want to transfer it to a drying rack - or a plate lined with paper towels - to soak up any excess oil.

Finally, serve them with a wedge of fresh lemon, and enjoy!

By the way, if you want to go the extra mile, you can make this blove sauce or tartar sauce and these brussel sprouts to serve alongside the fried fish!

My Tips For Making The Best Recipe

• Make sure to fully coat the salmon on both sides with the breading.
• Let the oil heat up fully in the pan before frying. You'll know your hot oil is ready for deep frying when you throw a piece of bread in, and it floats and bubbles. It shouldn't sink in the deep pot or burn too fast.
• Fry the salmon in batches so the temperature of the oil doesn't decrease too much.

How To Store Deep Fried Salmon 

In the fridge: If you end up having some leftovers, the fried salmon actually makes for a great meal the next day. You can use it to make this incredibly delicious salmon rice bowl! With that said, this deep fried salmon stores best in the fridge in an airtight container. Stored like this, it will stay good for 3-4 days.

In the freezer: To keep it longer, transfer the salmon to a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out the excess air. You can freeze salmon for about 8 months.

Reheating: The best way to reheat this deep fried salmon is in the oven at 350°F (180°C) or air fryer at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through and crispy on the outside - around 5 minutes. Let the frozen salmon thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQS About This Deep Fried Salmon Recipe

Is deep fried salmon healthy?

Deep fried salmon is definitely more of an indulgent kind of salmon dinner. Frying salmon isn't as healthy as baking or pan fried salmon because of the oil, but if you use olive oil, macadamia nut oil, or avocado oil, you will be getting a ton of healthy fats along with the omega 3 fatty acids from the salmon. 

What oil is best for frying salmon?

Vegetable oil or canola oil is the best choice for deep frying any fish in general because it has a neutral flavor profile, a high smoking point, and is affordable in large volumes. But, if you want to use a healthier oil, you can use the oils that I mentioned above.

Is it better to fry or bake salmon?

There really is no better way to cook salmon.

Baking and frying salmon both yield delicious results.

Also, since salmon is loaded with nutrients, any way you cook it is beneficial. But baking is the healthier option for cooking salmon because you don't have to add as much extra fat. That's why I like alternating this deep fried salmon with this baked miso glazed salmon. 

My Final Thoughts

Well, that's how to make deep fried salmon!

It's a comfort food that's perfect for any occasion and it's easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough for a fancy dinner party too.

I mean, who can resist some rich and flaky salmon with a crunchy fried breading? Especially when it's finished with a squeeze of zesty lemon.

Anyway, I hope you like this deep fried salmon recipe as much as my family and I do.

Be sure to leave a comment below if you tried it, and let me know what you think.

By the way, for some dessert ideas, be sure to check out our Youtube channel or our Instagram page! We've got a ton on 'em to choose from.

More Fried Recipes

If you like delicious fried food recipes, we have a ton of fried recipes on the blog you can try next!

Check out all of these fried recipes: 

• Fried grouper
• Fried bacon
• Fried pork chops
• Fried pickles
• Fried jalapenos
• Fried tilapia
• Old fashioned salmon patties