Easy 10-Minute Air Fried Salmon Bites
These Air Fried Salmon Bites are adorably bite-sized, packed with flavor, and ready in just minutes! This is one of those recipes that I feel like is special and fun to make, but still ridiculously easy.
I’ve always loved salmon, but cooking whole fillets can be a little tricky! Sometimes the thinner ends dry out while you’re waiting for the thickest part to cook through, and I found that cutting the salmon into cubes first solves that problem. Everything cooks evenly in just a few minutes, and I never have to worry about overcooking!
The other bonus of cutting the salmon into smaller pieces is that they really soak up the marinade. The soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey cling to every side of the salmon bites, which means the flavor is even more delicious. Toss them in the air fryer, and you’ve got tender, perfectly seasoned salmon that’s easy to serve with rice and veggies (like in my salmon bowls recipe), or even on top of a salad!
Ingredients You Need
- Salmon: Use skinless salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes. Fresh or thawed frozen both work well.
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos: This adds a lot of flavor to the marinade. I like to use low sodium soy sauce, or you can use coconut aminos as a gluten free option.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the marinade a savory flavor.
- Ginger: A small knob of fresh ginger adds warmth and brightness.
- Black pepper: Just a pinch for balance. For a bit of spice, you can add some red pepper flakes!
- Honey: A touch of sweetness that helps the salmon caramelize.
- Oil spray: Keeps the bites from sticking in the air fryer basket.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites
For the full ingredients list and instructions, click here.- Marinate: In a medium bowl, combine the diced salmon with the marinade ingredients and let it rest for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Place in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the marinated salmon pieces in a single layer.
- Cook: Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm with rice, steamed vegetables, and a drizzle of spicy mayo on the side.
Tips for Success
- To remove the skin, use a sharp knife and slowly slice the skin off the top of the salmon. This takes patience, and you might slice a little bit of the fish off with it, but that’s okay!
- Cube evenly! Cut salmon into even pieces before cooking the salmon so they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd. Make sure to cook the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can work in batches if needed.
- Serve right away! Salmon bites are best hot from the fryer, when they’re crisp and tender! If you work in batches, you can pop them all in the air fryer together for the last minute just to make sure everything is warm before serving.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve these salmon bites with steamed veggies and fluffy white rice, but they’re also great in a grain bowl with quinoa, over salad, or tucked into lettuce wraps for something lighter. I like to make them into my easy air fryer salmon bowls with a drizzle of sriracha spicy mayo and fresh veggies on the side!
Meal Prep & Storage
Air fryer salmon bites are best eaten fresh, but they also work well for meal prep if you plan ahead. Cook the salmon as directed, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For meal prep bowls, pair the salmon with cooked rice, quinoa, or steamed veggies in containers. When reheating, warm them gently in the microwave with a drizzle of extra sauce to keep them moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, frozen salmon works just fine for this salmon bites recipe as long as you thaw it completely before marinating!
Honestly, I didn’t. But you can preheat the air fryer and you will get them to be a little bit more crispy on the outside!
The salmon bites should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when they’re ready. For the most reliable check, use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for perfectly cooked salmon.
Sure! If you’re short on time, bottled teriyaki or soy-ginger sauce makes a great swap. Just know that homemade marinade usually tastes fresher and you can control the sweetness and saltiness.
Quick Air Fryer Salmon Bites (10 minutes!)
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced salmon with the marinade ingredients and let it rest for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the marinated salmon pieces in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping the bites halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve warm with rice, steamed vegetables, and a drizzle of spicy mayo on the side.
