Best Air Fried Salmon Bites
This is hands down my favorite way to cook salmon lately, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I hardly make it any other way now! These Air Fried Salmon Bites are quick, flavorful, and come out perfectly cooked every single time. Crispy edges, tender centers, and zero stress? Yes please!
Have you ever cooked salmon where the thick part of the fillet is perfect, but the thinner end is totally overcooked? Because that used to happen to me all the time. No matter how carefully I watched it, one end was always dry while the other was just right, and honestly, it was frustrating.
The solution? Dicing the salmon into evenly sized cubes. Every single bite cooks at the same rate, which means perfectly tender, juicy salmon every time. I’m obsessed with these salmon bites and add them to everything, from my air fryer salmon bowls and salmon couscous bowls to salmon poke bowls. They’re simple, reliable, and insanely versatile, which makes them a staple in my kitchen!
Why You’ll Love These Salmon Air Fryer Bites
- Perfectly cooked every time! Cutting the salmon into cubes ensures even cooking with no dry spots. They seriously come out perfect every time!
- Quick & easy. The air fryer does all the work in under 10 minutes. Enough said.
- Flavor-packed! A simple soy, garlic, ginger, and honey marinade adds big flavor with minimal effort.
- So versatile. Use these salmon bites in bowls, salads, wraps, or on their own.
Air Fried Salmon Bites Ingredients
- 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.
Air Fried Salmon Bites Variations & Substitutions
- Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free.
- Add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice for brightness.
- Try a spicy twist with chili garlic sauce or sriracha in the marinade.
- For bold flavor, check out my Cajun Salmon Bites for a smoky, spicy variation.
How to Make Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
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.
Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Air Fried Salmon Bites
- 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 piecesbefore 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.
Ways to Use Salmon Air Fryer Bites
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!
How to Store Salmon Air Fryer Bites for Later
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.
Air Fried Salmon Bites FAQs
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.
Salmon bites typically take about 7 minutes at 400°F! That’s it!
More Favorites to Try
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
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.
Nutrition
Notes
- 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 piecesbefore 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.
