Name: Spicy Salmon Bake Cups (Gluten Free And Low Carb)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound of salmon (skinned & cut into small cubes); 12 4-inch round slices of ham (Boar's Head is gluten free); 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos; 2 scallions (sliced (separate the white root slices from the sliced green leaves)); 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon of paprika; 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon of oregano; salt to taste; 1/4 cup of mayo; 2 teaspoons of Sriracha sauce; Scallion slices; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Spicy salmon bake cups are a tasty and easy to make appetizer for special occasions with family and friends. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. Enjoy!

These Spicy Salmon Bake Cups are so incredibly delicious and quick to make. The ham gets nice and crispy when baked, and the spicy cooked salmon is a perfect complement.

Please Note: The links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you. These small sales are how I keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!

John’s Italian side of the family has always enjoyed a seafood dinner on Christmas Eve in honor of the Feast of the Seven Fishes (though usually it was only one or two different seafood dishes, not seven).

I love continuing this tradition and searching for new seafood recipes we can try on Christmas Eve.

Last week, my son excitedly told me about a recipe he had stumbled across on social media. “These sushi salmon muffins are going viral on the Internet,” he said. “But, Mom, I don’t even know how you would make this.”

They did look like they’d be fun to make for Christmas Eve. But how to make them gluten free and low carb so everyone at the table could enjoy them?

Psst! If you’re into staying low-carb but don’t want to skimp on flavor, you’ve gotta see what we’ve got in our low-carb collection. It’s packed with recipes and tips to help you stay on track and happy.

So I came up with a few ingredient substitutes to make them gluten free. And I skipped the rice so they’re low carb too.

If you’re not following a low carb diet, you can layer the bottom of your ham cup with cooked sushi rice. This is the brand I recommend.

If you’re a fan of the flavors of spicy sushi, these salmon cups made in a muffin tin will be a new favorite.

Whether you’re planning dinner or a party spread, these spicy salmon cups fit the bill. That’s why they’re featured in both my dinner recipe and appetizer recipe collections.

Read on for my version of the viral baked sushi muffins.

A little about the ingredients

I didn’t have nori paper which is is typically used to wrap rolls of sushi. I decided to go with ham in place of the nori.

And so I created a whole new recipe!

The saltiness of ham pairs so well with the rich flavor of salmon. The ham is sturdy enough to be held in your hand.

Sriracha for a spicy kick

First, a touch of Sriracha sauce will be mixed with mayo for that spicy kick.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try using the easy homemade Sriracha from my broiled salmon with spicy mayo recipe—it’s got a great kick!

But if you’re short on time, a store-bought version will work just fine too. Sky Valley Sriracha is certified gluten free.

Avocado Mayo

Mayonnaise has very little carbs, but we need to watch out for hidden sugar.

I always recommend nutritious sugar-free avocado oil mayonnaise from Primal Kitchen. Read my full review of Primal Kitchen Mayo here.

What are coconut aminos good for?

Coconut aminos are the next super-healthy ingredient. They are a nutrient-rich sap that comes from coconut blossoms and are a wonderful source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, and have a nearly neutral PH.

Surprisingly, they don’t have a coconut taste and are actually often used as a substitute for soy sauce.

Okay, ready to make spicy salmon cups? Gather all the ingredients because this comes together fast.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card with complete list of ingredients is available at the end of the post.

Begin by preheating you oven to 400℉

In a small bowl, prepare your spicy mayo by combining mayo and sriracha sauce. Set this aside for later.

Then, toss your salmon cubes in a separate bowl with olive oil, coconut aminos, and the sliced white bulb of the scallions (we’ll garnish with the green leaf part of the scallions later).

Season the mixture with a half of a teaspoon each of garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and oregano. Add salt to taste. And gently toss.

Now, grease each cup of your muffin tin. I brush each cup with oil or you can use cooking spray. Then, line each cup in your greased muffin tin with a slice of ham.

Then fill each with about five cubes of your salmon mixture.

I baked these for 15 minutes. But I have found that 10 minutes is enough.

Let them cool a bit and top each with a dollop of your spicy mayo. Garnish with the sliced green leaf part of the scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

And that’s it!

Serve with extra spicy mayo on the side.

Pro tips and recipe notes

I love using ham cut into 4-inch circles as cups for this recipe. Of course, you can go with nori paper if you’d like.
To prepare your salmon cubes, first remove the skin. Slide your knife in a sawing motion between the flesh and skin in long even strokes while you carefully pull the skin away. Alternatively, you can ask your fishmonger or butcher to prepare it for you.

It’s a good time to remove any pin bones, too. Then cut your fillet into small cubes.
I love topping these with toasted sesame seeds. Simply heat them in a dry skillet for about three minutes stirring with a wooden spoon until they’re fragrant and golden. Be careful not to burn them.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They’re delicious for lunch the next day.

How cozy it feels to enjoy these spicy salmon bake cups in front of a roaring fire! They’re a real crowd-pleaser, especially when you just want to whip something up that’s super simple and quick!

More fun appetizers

Salmon Cakes These are one of the most popular recipes on the blog. They’re crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, healthy, & wonderfully flavorful.

Zucchini Roll Ups: Rolling up zucchini with bolognese sauce and fresh parmesan really takes zucchini to the next level. Wow!

Baked Zucchini Sticks: A beautiful mixture of spices give these baked zucchini sticks a wonderful flavor. Enjoy!

Irish Nachos: These are a fun twist on traditional nachos and one of the most popular recipes on my blog. Crispy, seasoned potato slices are drowned in cheese, bacon, green onions and cilantro.

Mediterranean Salsa: This salsa is a great way to amp up the flavor of all kinds of dishes.

Bacon and sausage stuffed mushrooms: These are a classic hors d’oeuvres recipe. They’re so good.

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers: Homemade sloppy joe stuffed peppers are loaded with seasoned ground beef and chunks of onions and peppers in a bright tomato sauce. Then they’re roasted until browned and bubbly.

10-minute Cucumber Bites With Three Amazing Toppings: These bites make a refreshing finger food.

Print Pin Save

5 from 1 vote