Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce

If you’ve ever stared into your fridge at 5:37 PM thinking, “I need dinner… but I also need a nap,” friend, I’ve got you. Baked Salmon Meatballs are the kind of weeknight magic that feels a little fancy without being fussy. They’re tender, flavorful, and way easier than they sound—no frying, no splattering oil, no “why does my kitchen smell like a diner?” situation.

And then there’s the bonus: Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce. That sauce is cool, tangy, and silky—like your favorite dip decided to get its life together and become dinner.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Salmon Meatballs

  • Fast but impressive: Perfect for busy nights and “I’m trying to be a person who cooks” nights.
  • No frying required: Baking keeps things easy, lighter, and less messy.
  • Picky-eater friendly: They’re soft, flavorful, and not “fishy” in a scary way.
  • That sauce, though: Creamy avocado + Greek yogurt = the kind of dip you’ll “accidentally” eat with a spoon.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the salmon meatballs

  • Fresh salmon (skinless fillets): The star of the show—tender and flaky.
  • Breadcrumbs: Helps the meatballs hold together (regular or whole wheat both work).
  • Parmesan cheese: Adds savory, cheesy depth that plays so well with salmon.
  • Egg: The binder that keeps everything from turning into salmon crumbles.
  • Fresh parsley: Bright and fresh (or swap in dill or basil).
  • Garlic: Because dinner should taste like dinner.
  • Lemon juice: For that fresh zing (lime works too).
  • Salt & pepper: The basic MVPs.

For the creamy avocado sauce

  • Ripe avocado: Pick one that gives a little when pressed—like it’s saying “I’m ready.”
  • Greek yogurt: Creamy, tangy, and lighter than sour cream.
  • Lime juice: Adds brightness (and keeps the sauce looking fresh).
  • Garlic: Optional but highly encouraged.
  • Water: Just to thin it out to your favorite dipping consistency.

Refer to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and full nutritional information.

How to Make Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Let’s make this feel easy—because it is.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks and cleanup stays painless (we love a low-drama kitchen).

Step 2: Mix the salmon meatball base

In a large bowl, combine:

  • finely chopped salmon
  • breadcrumbs
  • Parmesan
  • egg
  • parsley
  • minced garlic
  • lemon juice
  • salt and pepper

Mix until everything is combined, but don’t overmix. We’re not kneading bread here—just bringing the ingredients together so the meatballs stay tender.

Tip from my kitchen: If chopping salmon feels annoying, cut it into small chunks and give it a quick chop with a sharp knife. You want small pieces, not purée.

Step 3: Roll into meatballs

Scoop out portions and gently roll them into meatballs about golf-ball size. This size bakes evenly without drying out.

If the mixture sticks to your hands, dampen your fingers with a little water. (This is also the part where kids magically appear asking to “help,” and suddenly you have one meatball the size of a softball. Cute… but no.)

Step 4: Bake

Place meatballs on your prepared baking sheet with a little space between them.

Bake for 15–18 minutes, until they’re cooked through and lightly golden. You’re looking for:

  • a firm-but-not-dry feel
  • a gentle golden color
  • a smell so good people wander into the kitchen “just to check something”

Step 5: Blend the creamy avocado sauce

While the meatballs bake, toss into a blender or food processor:

  • ripe avocado
  • Greek yogurt
  • lime juice
  • garlic

Blend until smooth. Add water a splash at a time until the sauce is creamy and dippable. Taste it and adjust seasoning if needed.

If it looks a little thick at first: totally normal. Avocados like to play hard to get. A little water fixes everything.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

Let the salmon meatballs cool for a minute or two (just enough so you don’t burn your mouth because you “had to taste one”).

Serve warm with that creamy avocado sauce on the side for dipping—or drizzle the sauce right over the top if you’re feeling fancy.

Easy Serving Ideas (Because We All Need Dinner Help)

These Baked Salmon Meatballs can go a bunch of ways:

  • Over rice with extra sauce and lemon wedges
  • In a salad bowl with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette
  • In a pita or wrap like a salmon “gyro” moment
  • With roasted veggies (hello sheet-pan dinner energy)

Cooking Tips That Save the Day

  • Don’t overbake: Salmon dries out fast. Start checking at 15 minutes.
  • Use parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Want extra flavor? Add a pinch of chili flakes or a little lemon zest to the meatball mix.
  • Sauce too tangy? Add a tiny drizzle of honey. (Not traditional, but delicious.)
  • Sauce too thick? Water, one tablespoon at a time. Slow and steady wins the creamy race.

And if your sauce looks a tiny bit lumpy at first? Don’t panic. That’s not failure—that’s avocado being avocado. Blend a bit longer and it’ll come around.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

The first time I made these, I was trying to convince my family that salmon could be “fun” and not just “that healthy fish thing Mom is doing again.” So I made meatballs—because meatballs are automatically more exciting than “filet.”

They disappeared. Like, suspiciously fast.

Now, anytime I put Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce on the table, the vibe is: “Ohhh, she made the good dinner.” And honestly? I’ll take that win.

Baked Salmon Meatballs topped with creamy avocado sauce on a plate, garnished with herbs and served with a lime wedge.
Serve these Baked Salmon Meatballs with creamy avocado sauce, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime for a bright, satisfying bite.

FAQs About Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Can I use canned salmon?

Fresh salmon gives the best texture, but canned can work in a pinch. Drain it well and remove any bones/skin if needed. The mixture may be softer, so handle gently and consider adding a bit more breadcrumbs.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt in the sauce?

Yes! Regular yogurt works, and sour cream works too (richer, a little heavier). If you’re dairy-free, a plain dairy-free yogurt is a solid swap.

How do I store leftovers?

Store meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate if you can.

Can I reheat them?

Yep—warm the meatballs in the oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, or microwave gently in short bursts. (Microwave works, but oven keeps them nicer.)

Can I make these ahead?

Totally. You can form the meatballs and keep them covered in the fridge for several hours before baking. The sauce is best fresh, but you can make it ahead and press plastic wrap directly on the surface to slow browning.

Bring Some Magic to Dinner Tonight

If you’re craving something that feels fresh, cozy, and a little “I’ve got my life together” (even if the laundry says otherwise), Baked Salmon Meatballs are your answer. And once you try them as Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce, don’t be surprised if that sauce becomes a repeat character in your fridge.

Make them once, and they just might become one of your go-to “easy but impressive” dinners—because weeknights deserve a little delicious magic too.

Keep the Dinner Magic Going

If you loved these Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce, here are a few more cozy, flavor-packed recipes on Chicken Magic Recipes that pair perfectly with this vibe (think: easy, comforting, and totally weeknight-friendly):

And hey—if you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (be honest… but if you give it five stars, my spatula and I will be doing a happy dance).

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Baked Salmon Meatballs topped with creamy avocado sauce on a plate, garnished with herbs and served with a lime wedge.

Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce


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  • Author: Aneta
  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (about 1416 meatballs) 1x

Description

These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce are tender, golden, and packed with fresh flavor—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy appetizer with a “wow” factor.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Baked Salmon Meatballs

  • 1 lb fresh salmon, skin removed and finely chopped

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or whole wheat)

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Creamy Avocado Sauce

  • 1 ripe avocado

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 tbsp lime juice (or lemon juice)

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 24 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)

  • Pinch of salt, to taste


Instructions

  1. Prep the oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Mix the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine chopped salmon, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined.

  3. Shape: Roll into golf-ball-sized meatballs and place on the baking sheet.

  4. Bake: Bake 15–18 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden on top.

  5. Make the sauce: Blend avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add water a little at a time until creamy and dippable.

  6. Serve: Serve warm meatballs with creamy avocado sauce on the side (or drizzle on top) and enjoy!

Notes

Don’t overmix the salmon mixture—keeping a little texture makes the meatballs more tender.

If the mixture feels sticky, wet your hands with a little water before rolling.

Sauce browns naturally over time—press plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate to keep it greener.

Great serving ideas: rice bowls, salads, wraps, or as a party appetizer.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 meatballs + sauce)
  • Calories: 400 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg

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