We all know that the appetizers are the best part of any event or gathering. So whether you’re hosting or simply contributing this year, these Smoked Salmon Polenta Pancakes are sure to impress anyone who tries them! One bite of these creamy polenta bites will have everyone coming back for more.

Smoked salmon + creamy, yet tangy horseradish paired with the pillowy polenta pancake and chive garnish creates the perfect combination for the taste buds. I mean why settle for chips and dip or a cheese board when you can go above and beyond with this easy, delicious recipe with under 10 ingredients? Not to mention these fun little bites are perfect for individual sharing!

If you’re looking for more appetizers or side dishes to share, check out this Gluten Free Sweet Potato Gnocchi recipe that’s even better than store bought! Or for something a bit more customizable, this Veggie Walnut Sausage Patties Recipe makes for a fun ‘build your own sandwich’ board.

Smoked salmon polenta pancake bites sit on a white ceramic plate atop a rose colored cloth. The polenta pancakes are topped with smoked salmon and a horseradish cream sauce with chopped chives as a garnish. There is a partial bowl of chives on the plate as well.

Ingredients

Yellow Corn Meal – Made from dried maize and ground into a meal, yellow cornmeal is the traditional base for polenta.

Cream Cheese – Adds flavor and a creamy texture to both the polenta and the horseradish cream sauce. You can substitute for a dairy free version if needed.

Neutral Oil – I used sunflower oil because it’s neutral in flavor unlike some oils such as extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil. You could also try this with avocado oil!

Plain Greek Yogurt – The tart flavor pairs well with the horseradish and the creamy texture is the base of the sauce. You can substitute for dairy free alternatives if needed.

Horseradish – Adds a pop of zesty flavor to these polenta bites. My favorite brand to use for this is Bubbie’s Fine Foods because the quality and flavor of their horseradish is unreal!

Smoked Salmon – I suggest using whatever brand you like best as flavor with smoked salmon varies. Make sure to slice into smaller pieces that will fit on these bite sized polenta pancakes!

Chives – These are an easy step to skip if you must but I truly think the fresh bite of chives is the perfect touch of onion tang to top these bites off.

Eight polenta pancakes with horseradish cream sauce and smoked salmon on top are garnished with chives. The cakes sit on a ceramic plate with a bowl of chives, a bowl of cream sauce, more smoked salmon, and a fork. There's a rose colored cloth in the background under the plate and two glasses of kombucha with lime inside.

How To Make Polenta Pancakes

1. Start by preparing your sauce – mash room temperature cream cheese with a fork until smooth. Add greek yogurt and horseradish and stir together again until well combined. Move to the fridge to chill.

2. Prepare your polenta cakes – bring water and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Slowly whisk in cornmeal to prevent lumps. Once all cornmeal has been added, reduce to medium heat and add cream cheese. Continue to whisk occasionally for 15-20 minutes, until cornmeal grains are no longer hard or chewy, and remove from heat.

3. Using a large spoon, drop polenta onto a foil lined baking sheet and use a spatula or spoon to spread mixture to a 2 ½” – 3” diameter “pancakes.” Allow to cool completely at room temperature where they will harden/solidify.

4. Add oil to a frypan over medium low heat. Add cooled polenta cakes and pan fry until evenly browned, 3-5 minutes each side.

5. Top warm polenta cakes with 1 piece of smoked salmon, horseradish cream sauce, and chopped chives. Enjoy!

Smoked salmon polenta pancake bites sit on a white ceramic plate. The polenta pancakes are topped with smoked salmon and a horseradish cream sauce with chopped chives as a garnish. There is a bowl of chives, smoked salmon, and a fork on the plate as well. Beside the plate is a bowl of horseradish cream sauce with a spoon inside. There's also a plate with another polenta bite on it.

Lox vs Smoked Salmon

If you like tasty eats then you’ve probably noticed the rising popularity of the delicious lox bagels and the more trendy version of smoked salmon toast. And if you’re like most people (i.e. me) then you probably have no clue what the difference is between the two. So let’s break it down!

Lox is salmon that has been cured in salt and is how people preserved salmon before refrigeration was available. That being said, true lox is very salty and potent which is why lox bagels (with bread and dairy involved) are popular, it helps mellow out the lox flavor!

For smoked salmon, it’s a process of smoking the salmon at different temperatures for different types. It can be cold or hot smoked depending on what thickness of cut you want and the specific flavor too. I prefer cold smoked salmon because it’s a thin cut and has a mellow flavor to it. That’s what I suggest for topping these polenta pancakes!

Is polenta gluten free?

All gluten free eaters rejoice, polenta is in fact free of gluten! Just be sure to check for a certified gluten free label if you’re worried of any manufacturer cross contamination. Afterall, true polenta is simply a course ground cornmeal which is naturally 100% gluten free. Check your labels and ingredients when buying it otherwise you’re in the clear for no gluten.

That’s why I love making homemade polenta, you know exactly what is in it. And while it may seem daunting to make polenta pancakes from scratch, I promise you it’s easier than you’d think!

How to Serve Smoked Salmon

Since smoked salmon is already technically cooked, you’re able to eat, use, or serve it straight from the package. That’s why it’s perfect for an appetizer like this because once you complete the base, all you do is add the creamy horseradish sauce and smoked salmon! No further cooking or fussing required for easy smoked salmon recipes.

I think smoked salmon would taste delicious in these Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce, simply swap the shrimp for salmon and enjoy as an appetizer or meal. You could also pair it with this Tabouli Salad for a light and fresh side dish or lunch. A classic smoked salmon appetizer platter is always a good idea, make it like you would a charcuterie board!

Other ways to serve smoked salmon would be on toast, in a tortilla wrap, on a sandwich, with a sauce and vegetables, or on an omelette, the options are endless.

Polenta pancakes with smoked salmon and a horseradish cream sauce are garnished with chopped chives on a ceramic plate. There is a bowl of chives in the upper corner of the photo. Beside the plate is a bowl of horseradish cream sauce with a spoon inside and a plate with another polenta bite on it.

Why I Love These Polenta Bites

Besides the fact that these make such cute and fun little bites for appetizers, this is why I really love these smoked salmon polenta pancakes.

They require less than 10 ingredients and can be prepped + made in under an hour. There’s no need to add stress when you can make something absolutely delicious with less ingredients and in less time.

The flavor is unique! I don’t think many people would think to combine polenta with cream cheese, horseradish, and smoked salmon but I assure you it’s a great combination. People will take one bite and then want to know how to make them.

Smoked salmon bites are a fun appetizer to make with friends or family and is a great way to get others involved. Have someone make the horseradish sauce, another prepare the salmon, and maybe a few on polenta duty to make, chill, form, and pan fry the polenta pancakes!

The recipe can be made vegan if needed. The polenta itself is vegan, simply swap the regular cream cheese for a dairy free version and you’ll have a vegan polenta recipe. Same thing for the horseradish sauce, swap the cream cheese and yogurt for dairy free alternatives. And although I love the smoked salmon on top, if you are vegan or are feeding someone who is, simply leave it off.

Nine polenta pancakes with smoked salmon and a horseradish cream sauce are garnished with chopped chives on a ceramic plate. There is a bowl of chives on a plate in the upper corner of the photo. On the plate is a bowl of horseradish cream sauce with a spoon inside and beside the plate is another plate with a polenta pancake on it. There are measuring spoons in the lower corner of the photo.

And if you’re looking for any other savory and gluten free side dishes/appetizers, try this Whole30 Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe or for a warmer flavor, this Maple Roasted Squash Salad. Both recipes are sure to have people coming back for more.

If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating in the boxes below! I always love to hear from you, and it also helps other people find this recipe when they search online for the BEST EVER Smoked Salmon Polenta Pancakes 🙂