These easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites are perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or whenever you’re in the mood for a flavorful and crispy treat! They make a great lunch or dinner solution for salmon bowls with cooked rice and veggies.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Salmon Bites are delightfully crunchy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside. They’re packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making this dish not only delicious but nutritious too!
Salmon Bites are one of my favorite ways to enjoy salmon, whether it’s as a snack, appetizer, or part of a larger meal. They can be a unique addition to your holiday spread, but they’re also great for meal prepping for lunches or dinners for the busy week.
Packed with a ton of flavor, they pair wonderfully with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, and festive salads, or can be used in rice bowls.
For more amazing Air Fryer recipes, check out my Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Apple Chips in the Air Fryer, Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, and these Easy Air Fryer Brats!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Customize the seasonings to your taste by adding cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes for some extra kick.
- You can enjoy these salmon bites as a main dish, on top of a salad, or in a rice bowl for a complete meal!
- It’s a quick and easy recipe! With just a handful of simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can have this meal ready in no time.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Salmon Fillets – Fresh salmon is always best here. Feel free to use your favorite type of salmon, whether it’s Atlantic salmon or another kind from your local grocery store.
- Olive Oil – Provides a rich flavor to the salmon in the marinade. You can use avocado oil instead for a slightly different taste.
- Soy Sauce – To add a salty depth to the marinade. You can use a sodium-free soy sauce or coconut aminos instead if you prefer.
- Ground Black Pepper – Adds a spicy kick to these salmon bites.
- Teriyaki Sauce – Provides a sweet and tangy flavor that makes these bites irresistible.
- Honey – For a natural sweetness that balances out the salty flavors here. You can use brown sugar instead if you prefer a caramel-like sweetness.
- Garlic Powder – For a savory, aromatic depth to the salmon. Freshly minced garlic can be used for a more intense flavor if you prefer.
- Sesame Seeds – For a garnish that looks great but also adds a mild, nutty flavor to this dish.
- To Serve: Make salmon bowls by serving these yummy salmon bites on top of white rice, broccoli, shredded carrot, sliced avocado, and sliced green onion for a colorful and filling meal that’s bursting with flavor!
How to Make Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
- Prepare the salmon. Remove the salmon skin using a sharp blade and discard it. Then, chop salmon filets into 1’’ cubes. Set them aside.
- Make the sauce. Mix teriyaki sauce, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, ground pepper, and garlic powder.
- Put salmon on a plate. Put the salmon pieces onto a clean plate, and put the sauce on the salmon bites using a basting brush.
- Coat the salmon. Apply the sauce until all the pieces are coated. Note: If you double the sauce, you can serve it as a dressing on the side.
- Put in the air fryer. Preheat the Air Fryer to 350F, then arrange the salmon pieces in a single layer inside the air fryer basket with space around each piece to allow the hot air to circulate.
- Cook. Cook for six to eight minutes, or until bites are cooked through. Turning them over halfway through the cooking time is optional.
- Garnish and serve. Serve warm with some sesame seeds on top.
- Make a Salmon Bowl. Add 4 oz of Salmon Bites, ½ cup of cooked white rice, ⅓ cup shredded carrots, ¼ sliced avocado, and 1 cup of steamed broccoli florets to a medium bowl. Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onion, and your favorite dressing. Recommendations: Use the teriyaki sauce provided in this recipe or Sriracha mayo.
Recipe FAQ’s
While fresh salmon is recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen salmon as long as it’s thawed properly before cooking.
Store your leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to regain their crispy perfection!
If you’ve made a larger batch, these bites can be frozen. Lay them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. When ready to eat, cook from frozen in the air fryer, adding a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
Tips for Success
- Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer for the best results.
- Ensure your salmon bites are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket to achieve that crispy texture.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon pieces and the size of your air fryer.
- Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to create your own variations of this delicious recipe.
How do I serve these Salmon Bites?
These crispy salmon bites are perfect for making salmon bowls, sushi bowls, but they’re also great to enjoy with other appetizers for a party!
Serve them with my Million Dollar Dip, Cheesy Meatball Sliders, Crispy Onion Rings, St. Louis Toasted Ravioli, Classic Shrimp Cocktail, Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, and my Fruit and Cheese Platter.
If you’re making salmon bowls with rice, try my Coconut Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or Instant Pot Brown Rice! Serve some roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes on the side for even more nutrients.
You can also use these bite-sized salmon pieces to make a sushi-inspired bowl by adding sliced cucumber, avocado, and pickled ginger. Top it all with a dollop of spicy mayo or my Remoulade Sauce!
For a low-carb meal, skip the rice and serve your salmon bites on a bed of cauliflower rice or a fresh salad!
Substitutions and Variations
Remember, this recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to mix and match ingredients to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- If you prefer a different sweetener, you can substitute honey for brown sugar or maple syrup.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- If you love spicy flavors, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade for a fiery twist.
- Enhance the freshness by adding some grated lemon or lime zest to the marinade. A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice just before serving also works wonders.
- Incorporate herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme into the marinade for a herby infusion that complements the salmon beautifully.
- Create an Asian-inspired bowl by serving the salmon bites with cooked brown rice, sautéed bok choy, and a drizzle of sesame oil.
- Make a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce by mixing pineapple juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Pour it over the salmon bites before air-frying them.
- Brush the salmon bites with a honey glaze made from honey, soy sauce, and fresh garlic before air-frying for a sticky and sweet finish.
- Toss in some roasted or sautéed vegetables like asparagus, snap peas, or mushrooms to make it a complete and wholesome meal.
More Salmon Recipes
Fish & Seafood
15 Minute Pan Seared Salmon
Fish & Seafood
Baked Salmon with Mango Salsa
Fish & Seafood
How to Cook Salmon Steaks
Did you make this recipe?
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1 pound salmon fillets
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- ½ Tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 head broccoli, steamed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 green onion, sliced
Instructions
- Remove salmon skin using a sharp blade and discard. Then, chop salmon filets into 1’’ cubes. Set them aside.
- Mix teriyaki sauce, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, ground pepper, and garlic powder. Then, coat salmon bites with it. Note: If you double the sauce, you can serve it as a dressing.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 350F, then arrange salmon pieces inside without overlapping them. Cook for six to eight minutes or until bites are cooked through. Turning them over is optional.
- Serve warm with some sesame seeds on top.
- Salmon Bowl: add 4 oz of Salmon Bites, ½ cup of cooked white rice, ⅓ cup shredded carrots, ¼ sliced avocado, and 1 cup of steamed broccoli florets to a medium bowl. Top with sesame seeds, sliced green onion, and your favorite dressing. Recommendations: Use the teriyaki sauce provided in this recipe or sriracha mayo.
Notes
- Store: Store your leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to regain their crispy perfection!
- Freeze: If you’ve made a larger batch, these bites can be frozen. Lay them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. When ready to eat, cook from frozen in the air fryer, adding a couple of minutes to the cook time.
