Let's prepare smoked salmon fish cakes/accra

April 06, 2026

Let's prepare smoked salmon fish cakes | Happy Easter

Today I’m sharing a traditional Caribbean saltfish accra recipe — but today I switched things up and made smoked salmon fish cakes instead which is good for apéro. Below is a traditional Caribbean saltfish accra recipe. Variations exist across the islands, with each adding its own unique touch in seasoning and preparation.

Traditional Island-Style Fish Cakes Accra Recipe Saint Lucian–Inspired Recipe Crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside — these saltfish fritters are a classic Caribbean snack, perfect for gatherings, appetizers, or a side dish.

Serves: 4–6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10–15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup salted cod (saltfish), flaked

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup water (adjust as needed)

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 scallions (green onions), chopped

½ small bell pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp black pepper

½ tsp baking powder

1 small hot pepper (optional – Scotch bonnet), finely chopped

1 tsp lime or lemon juice

Oil for frying

Instructions:

Prepare the Saltfish Rinse the saltfish under cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour (or boil for 10 minutes) to remove excess salt. Drain, flake, and remove any bones.

Make the Batter: In a bowl, add: Flour Baking powder Paprika Black pepper

Add water gradually and mix to form a thick batter (not runny). Stir in: Flaked saltfish Onion Garlic Scallions Bell pepper Thyme Hot pepper (optional) Lime juice The batter should be thick enough to hold shape on a spoon.

Fry the Accra: Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the oil. Fry for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve Serve hot with: Pepper sauce 🌶️ Garlic sauce Or just as is — they’re that good!

Cooking Tips; Don’t over-soak the fish → you want some saltiness for flavor Batter too thin = flat accra → keep it thick Add a pinch of cumin or all-purpose seasoning for a deeper Caribbean twist