Furikake Salmon Nuggets Recipe

Delicious salmon pieces coated in a furikake Japanese spice blend of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, sea salt, and spices. A perfect salmon recipe for busy nights!

Salmon recipes are a favorite over here at Bon Appeteach. Salmon is a nutritionally dense protein that’s super high in protein and packed with vitamins and those much-needed omega three’s we all need.

Asian-inspired salmon dishes have been on rotation here in particular; especially served in bite-size friendly pieces like in this salmon stir fry or these spicy salmon cups. This is an easy recipe that only requires a few ingredients to bring everything together.

Grab all the details below on how to prep the salmon, tips for coating in the furikake Japanese seasoning, cooking methods, and tips for serving and enjoying this recipe. Let’s dive in!

Supplies Needed:

• Knife & Cutting Board
• Paper Towel
• Small Bowl
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Shallow Baking Dish
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper or aluminum foil (optional)

What Is Furikake Seasoning?

If you haven’t heard of the Japanese savory seasoning called furikake- no worries! Let’s break it down so you know what it is, understand the flavor profile, and how to make your own if you cannot find any near you.

Furikake is a blend of:

• Nori Seaweed
• White Sesame Seeds (some store-bought blends also have black sesame seeds in them as well)
• Sea Salt
• Sugar

Other variations of this blend contain ingredients like kelp powder, bonito flakes (dried smoked fish flakes), and maybe even some black pepper or chili flakes for some spice.

It’s typically recognized as a Japanese rice seasoning but also pairs nicely with fish and vegetables. It would be great with this smoked miso black cod for example.

Furikake has a great flavor. It’s a slightly crunchy seasoning that’s salty and packed with umami flavors. It adds texture to the salmon nuggets and a little nuttiness too from the toasted sesame seeds.

Where Can I Buy Furikake Seasoning?

Depending on where you live and what you have access to I would recommend stopping by your local Asian grocery store. They will have a variety of premade blends or accessible ingredients to blend up your own in a food processor. I have seen some versions go by the name of Nori Furikake as well.

Another option is to find the new blend at Trader Joe’s grocery stores as well if you have one you shop locally.

Furikake Salmon Nugget Ingredients:

Here are the main ingredients used in this recipe-

• Frozen or Fresh Salmon Fillets (look for salmon that has a similar thickness for even cooking)
• Furikake Seasoning
• Kewpie Mayo (or regular mayonnaise if that’s what you have available)
• Wasabi Paste

I was gifted salmon for this recipe by my friends at E-Fish. This recipe isn’t sponsored but I genuinely loved the wild king salmon filet I received. It was truly some of the freshest seafood I have ever found as a consumer.

Preparation Steps:

Here are the best methods for prepping your salmon fillet nuggets for this recipe.

1. Start by removing the salmon from the packaging. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Decide if you will put the salmon skin on or not (this may vary depending on the cooking method you choose). I left mine on because I opted to air-fry the salmon nuggets. To remove the salmon skin, take the fillet and place the salmon skin side up on a cutting board, and with a large carving knife carefully remove it from the fish. Cook the skin up for your pup in a frying pan or discard.
3. Cut the salmon fillet into 1-1.5 inch thick strips. Then cut each strip into nuggets (also 1-1.5 inches wide).
4. Place the salmon nuggets into a mixing bowl or baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the mayo and wasabi paste. This acts as a binder for the salmon to hold and adhere to the seasoning blend.
5. Coat the salmon pieces completely in the mayo mixture. It should be a light enough coating to cover the salmon entirely but not heavy.
6. Next, place the furikake seasonings in a shallow baking pan or bowl. Take each piece of salmon and press all the sides and sprinkle furikake seasoning over each nugget. Think of this as if you were dredging or breading chicken. I find this works best for a nice even layer of furikake on each piece.

Authors Note– If you prefer to keep the salmon as a whole fillet or as salmon steaks, you can. The nuggets work here because it’s more surface area for the seasoning, makes them a little more kid-friendly, and are fun for dipping.

To adjust the steps outlined above, simply cover the top of the salmon fillets in the mayo mixture and then sprinkle salmon with the furikake as desired.

Cooking Instructions:

For this recipe, I chose to use the air fryer so I could enjoy crispy salmon skin. Alternatively, you can bake the salmon as well. Here are some steps to follow-

Air Frying:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 F.
2. Place the salmon furikake nuggets onto the air fryer basket, do not overcrowd them (overcrowding increases steaming and prevents browning).
3. Cook for about 4 minutes then flip the nuggets and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
4. The internal temperature of cooked salmon should be 145 F. according to the USDA. When the nuggets are finished remove them from the air fryer. You may have to cook the salmon in batches depending on how many nuggets you have.

Oven Roasting:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Place a wire rack over the top to elevate the salmon (prevents steaming).
3. Spray the wire rack with olive oil or vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the salmon onto the wire rack (do not overcrowd).
4. Place pan in the oven and bake salmon for about 8-10 minutes or until they are 145 F. internally.

I sometimes like to add a little fresh lemon juice spritzed over the top of the salmon before serving.

Salmon Nugget Dipping Sauces:

What makes these furikake salmon nuggets extra delicious? A variety of dipping sauces!

I enjoy using sauces like teriyaki, Garlic Chili Oil, this Sriracha Mayo recipe, and wasabi.

Serve the nuggets with a side of brown rice or white rice. If you’re following a lower-carb diet, follow this recipe for roasted cauliflower rice too.

More Salmon Recipes To Try

• Smoked Salmon Burgers
• Whole 30 Salmon Cakes
• Crispy Air Fried Salmon Recipe