Coconut Crusted Salmon
Crispy coconut crusted salmon is the perfect game day snack or family-friendly dinner. They’re naturally paleo and gluten-free, but you would never know. They’re addictive and your family is going to love them!
I thought it was too soon in January. Too near resolution time to be going here. But I did it anyway and, I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty darn happy I did. There are few things better than a crisp coconut-y coating and a sweet sauce that burns your tongue in just the right way.
Other than how great these guys taste, there is one other thing you need to know about them:
They're healthy for you!
No, I haven't lost my mind. Not yet. Just give me a minute to explain.
The crunchy blanket the salmon is surrounded in is just a little flour of your choice (regular, corn or, for paleo, coconut flour), a bit of egg and some unsweetened shredded coconut. Then they're given a quick pan fry in coconut oil.
From what I've read about coconut oil, it is so good for you that it could save the world and make you live forever. Or so I've heard.
The sweet chili dipping sauce is a paleo-friendly version of Thai sweet chili sauce. I swap the sugar for honey and used agar agar in place of the cornstarch. If you're not following a paleo diet you can easily use corn starch instead.
You see … these are healthy for you!
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More Game Day Snacks
- Jalapeno Hot Cheese Dip
- Sesame Pineapple Sausage Bites
- Sticky Thai Peanut Chicken Wings
- Skinny Bang Bang Cauliflower
- Easy Guacamole Recipe
Coconut Crusted Salmon Recipe
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, cornstarch for gluten-free
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups desiccated coconut, unsweetened
- 1 lb salmon, cut into 2-inch cubes
- Coconut oil, for frying
- Cilantro and chopped chilis, to serve
The Sweet Chili Sauce
- ¾ cup water, divided
- ½ teaspoon agar-agar
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup white distilled vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 Thai red chilis
- 3 large garlic cloves
Instructions
Coconut Salmon Bites
- Whisk the flour and sea salt in a small bowl. In another small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the coconut to another small bowl.⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 large egg, 1 ¼ cups desiccated coconut
- Keeping one hand for the egg and the other for the flour and coconut, dip each piece of salmon first in the flour, second in the egg, and third in the coconut. Set the pieces aside on a plate or tray while you finish the rest.1 ¼ cups desiccated coconut, 1 lb salmon
- Heat the coconut oil in a medium-sized cast iron or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. You want about a ¼ inch of oil in the bottom of the pan.Coconut oil
- Working in batches, add the salmon to the hot pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, turning the pieces so they brown on all sides. Remove the salmon from the pan and place them on some paper towels while you finish the rest. Add more coconut oil to the pan as needed.
- Serve the salmon topped with a little cilantro, a sprinkling of chopped chilis, and the sweet chili sauce on the side.
For the sweet chili sauce:
- Add a ¼ cup of the water to a small pot over high heat and sprinkle the agar agar over the top. Bring the pot to a boil, whisk it once then let it boil for 3 minutes. Remove it from the heat.½ teaspoon agar-agar
- Add the remaining ½ cup of water and the rest of the sauce ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the contents of the blender into the pot with the agar agar and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3 minutes.½ cup honey, ¼ cup white distilled vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, 4 Thai red chilis, 3 large garlic cloves
- Store it in a clean jar in your fridge for up to a week.
Fantastic recipe! I had to modify it a little as I was out of a couple of things, but it was delicious.
Made these for lunch and now I want to make them again … and I’m still full! Thank you!
Can the coconut crusted salmon bites be baked rather than fried/sauteed?
I haven’t tried it but I’m sure it would work!
What a great idea for an hors d’ouerve! Definitely adding this to my party food pinterest page!
Thanks for the pin, Jessica!!
These look so good! You have successfully combined three of my favourite ingredients and now I’m super hungry…
Thanks, Grace! Hope you love them as much as I do. 🙂
Coconut crusted salmon…Delicious and awesome taste. Thank you kristen for interesting receipe
Thank you so much, Yasin!
What a fun idea for dinner. So much better tasting than chicken nuggets.
This is interesting recipe. Coconut, salmon and sweet chili. It really sounds so delicious!