Super crunchy cornflake salmon patties. Veggie filled with cauliflower AND butternut squash. Both gluten + dairy free and deliciously soft inside!
So my kids love crunchy food. I have actually never met a kid that doesn’t like crunchy food.
Having a gluten free kid came with a few hardships concerning how to make food crunchy and fun!
Crunchy cornflake crumb
Then one day I had a lightbulb idea to start using cornflakes as a crunchy crumb. IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM.
Such a quick, tasty and easy way to make any lunch or dinner crunch-afield! I started making fritters and veggie patties by dipping them into a cornflake crumb and they inhaled them.
Gluten free and easy.
I made sure I found an organic and gluten free cornflake that was suitable and clean for the kids. This cereal has now become a staple in the house.
It is perfect for sweet treats too! Think chocolate cornflake bites and crunchy cornflake granola bars. If you like the sound of cornflake and chocolate then definitely check out this chocolate hazelnut tart.
We don’t add corn into the diet the everyday for balance reasons but we have it at least 2 times a week. Either with a crusted chicken/fish dinner and veggie patties for lunch.
Salmon, cauliflower and squash patties
We hit the jackpot level of crunchy when I started making chicken and fish fingers with the cornflake crumb. It was a wrap. The kids were obsessed. Quite frankly, so was I! I mean who can resist the crunchy, crispy morish taste of cornflakes. Not my family that’s for sure.
Enter these simple and veggie filled patties that get liberally covered in the cornflake crumb. Such an easy way to get veggies into kids without being overly obvious.
Egg-less option
I mean the main veggie here is cauliflower and as it is white and shredded it is not as obvious as in it’s whole form. The squash cooked and mashed so it pretty much resembles sweet potato. Then it is just the salmon and egg. You can TOTALLY leave out the egg (if you have an egg allergy). I would add a tablespoon of flour at this point. Chickpea flour is FABULOUS binder if you want to do eggless things.
Lunchbox filler
Along with being gluten and dairy free AND having the option of being egg free. These beauties are perfect for adding into kiddos lunch boxes. These patties are even a great option to have as a snack throughout the day. I mean these would also be an amazing breakfast option if you’re kids don’t mind savoury breakfasts.
These patties are filled with nutritious ingredients, so the kids can get a crunch fix while eating wholesome ingredients too!
Grab the full recipe below and I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

Crunchy Salmon Cauliflower Patties - Gluten + dairy free
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups cornflakes we used organic and gluten free
- 1 small salmon fillet you can use any other type of fish or chicken also.
- 1/2 cup cauliflower rice (shredded caulilfower) you can use broccoli instead.
- 1/2 cup butternut squash (or any squash) you can use potato instead.
- 1 small egg totally works WITHOUT egg too, just add a tablespoon flour. (Chickpea flour works amazingly!)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to your taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano (extra spices if you would like)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 180*C
To make the cornflake crumb simply blend or grind your cornflakes into a crumb, some pieces are fine to for added texture!
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To get the salmon vegge patties started, cook and cool a piece of salmon. I just baked in the oven for 10 mins.
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Then shred the cauliflower and squeeze any water out if any. Add the caulilfower rice into a big bowl.
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Scoop soft insides of a cooked butternut squash and add into the bowl.
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Add the egg.
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Add the cooked and COOLED salmon.
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Add in the salt and oregano. And mix the mixture with your hands until fully combined.
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Shape into pattie shapes. It will be pretty soft mixture but quickly shape and dip and coat in the cornflakes crumbs.
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Repete with all the patties and then oil a baking dish/tray and place the patties on it to bake in the oven for approx 20 mins at 180*C. 15 mins into it flip the patties so both sides get a evenly brown and crunchy crumb.
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Eat with favourite dip and enjoy!
Another one to try for the kids!
Yes SUPER KID FRIENDLY with all that crunch!