Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce Recipe
These Baked Salmon Meatballs are a healthy, flavorful twist on a classic dish, featuring tender salmon meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices, baked to perfection, and served with a creamy, zesty avocado sauce made with Greek yogurt and chipotle chili powder. Perfect as a light dinner or appetizer, they combine nutritious ingredients for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: About 16 meatballs (serves 4)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
The Meatballs:
- 1 pound skinless salmon cut into chunks
- ½ medium onion, grated
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
The Sauce:
- ¾ California avocado, skin & seed removed
- 3 tablespoons fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ lime, juiced
- 5 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Process Salmon: Place the skinless salmon chunks into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the salmon is finely chopped, making sure to scrape down the sides to achieve an even texture. Transfer the chopped salmon to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: To the bowl with salmon, add grated onion, whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, minced cilantro, egg white, minced garlic, salt, ground pepper, paprika, and ground oregano. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Form Meatballs: Using about 2 tablespoons of the salmon mixture at a time, form meatballs by rolling the mixture between the palms of your hands. Place each meatball evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the salmon meatballs in the preheated oven until they are firm to the touch and fully cooked through, about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the avocado flesh, fat-free Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, water, minced cilantro, chipotle chili powder, salt, and ground pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Plate the baked salmon meatballs alongside or topped with the creamy avocado sauce for a flavorful and healthy meal.
Notes
- Use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs for added fiber and nutrition.
- The chipotle chili powder in the sauce can be adjusted between ¼ to ½ teaspoon depending on your preferred spice level.
- Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Freestyle SmartPoints) per serving.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute whole wheat panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make sure to use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the sauce.
