Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
If you love a good bowl moment, you’re in the right place. These Air Fryer Salmon Bowls are protein-packed, wildly easy, and endlessly customizable (hello, toppings!). Crispy salmon bites, fluffy rice, and a drizzle of spicy mayo = lunch or dinner done right!
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bowls with Rice
If you know me, you know I love a good bowl (hence the name Everyday Bowls 😉). Bowls are my go-to when I want something balanced, satisfying, and not overly complicated, and these air fryer salmon bowls check every single box. They’re simple enough for a busy weekday lunch but still feel exciting and flavorful.
The real star here is the air fryer salmon bites. They take less than 10 minutes to cook, come out perfectly caramelized, and make this recipe almost effortless. Pair them with fluffy rice and that spicy mayo (trust me, it’s the cherry on top), and you’ve got a meal that is satisfying and way easier than it seems. If you love easy bowl recipes, you’ll love my Spicy Tuna Bowls, too!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bite Bowls
- Quick & easy. The salmon cooks in under 10 minutes, making this perfect for busy days!
- Protein-packed. Salmon delivers healthy fats and keeps you full and satisfied.
- Customizable! Switch up the toppings, grains, or sauces to fit your cravings.
- Meal-prep friendly. Everything can be prepped ahead for easy lunches!
Air Fryer Salmon Bowls Ingredients
For the Air Fryer Salmon
- Salmon: Use a sharp knife to gently slice the skin off of the salmon filets before slicing, marinating and air frying!
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds the perfect amount of umami flavor.
- Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger are the aromatics that we use to add extra flavor!
- Pepper: A little freshly ground black pepper adds a slight bite.
- Honey: To balance out all the flavors and help the salmon caramelize in the air fryer.
For the Spicy Mayo
- Mayo: I used low-fat mayonnaise, but you can use regular mayo if you prefer! You can also use kewpie mayo here.
- Sriracha: Sriracha adds that classic spicy flavor. Add to taste!
- Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way, for a slightly nutty flavor!
- Soy Sauce: For a deep, savory flavor!
- Lime Juice: Adds a tangy flavor!
For the Rice
- Rice & Water: Use your choice of rice, but I use long grain white rice here.
- Oil & Salt: I always add a little salt and oil to my rice for added flavor!
Pro Tip! Garnish your bowls with sliced cucumber, avocado and sesame seeds. These air fryer salmon bowls are highly customizable though, so you can top them off with any veggies you’d like!
Salmon Rice Bowl Variations & Substitutions
- Swap white rice for jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
- Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce for a sweeter flavor.
- Add edamame, shredded carrots, or pickled ginger for extra texture.
- Make it spicy with chili crisp or extra sriracha in that mayo!
- Try Greek yogurt in place of mayo for a lighter sauce.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
For the full list of ingredients and instructions, click hereStep 1 – Make the Rice
- Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups of water, oil, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it steam with the lid on for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Step 2 – Prep the Salmon
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos), garlic, ginger, pepper, and honey. Add the cubed salmon and toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes, if you have the time!
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the salmon in a single layer.
- Cook at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until cooked through and lightly caramelized.
Step 3 – Make the Spicy Mayo
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, sesame oil, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and lime juice.
- Taste and adjust the spice level if needed. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Step 4 – Assemble
- Divide the rice among bowls. Top with salmon, sliced cucumber, and avocado. Drizzle with spicy mayo and serve warm!
Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Air Fryer Salmon Rice Bowls
- Remove the skin carefully with a sharp knife! Before slicing the salmon into bites, take the skin off of the salmon filets. Just use a sharp knife to slice it off. You might slice a little bit of the salmon off with it, but that’s okay!
- Dice your salmon cubes even pieces. As best as possible, try to dice the salmon into even sized cubes so that they all cook at the same rate.
- Adjust the spicy mayo to taste! I don’t like my spicy mayo to be too spicy, so I only add a little bit of sriracha. But give it a taste and add more as needed to really make your air fryer salmon bowls your own!
Salmon Bowl Serving Suggestions
These air fryer salmon bowls are a complete meal on their own, but they’re also a great base for piling on extra toppings. Serve with miso soup or a simple side salad, or mix and match toppings to make the bowl your own.
Topping ideas to try:
- Sliced green onions
- Pickled ginger
- Pickled onions
- Edamame
- Shredded carrots
- Radishes
- Nori snacks or roasted seaweed sheets
- Chili crisp or chili oil
- Fresh herbs like cilantro
How to Store Leftover Salmon Bowls
For meal prep, I suggest storing the rice and salmon in individual containers for up to 3-4 days and reheat as you need. Store the spicy mayo and fresh veggies on the side and garnish as you eat the bowls! Obviously, the avocado will turn brown, but everything else will stay fresh!
Air Fryer Salmon Bowl FAQs
Typically a salmon rice bowl has salmon, rice, fresh veggies, and a flavorful sauce like spicy mayo or teriyaki! It’s totally up to you!
Overcooking the salmon is probably the most common mistake. I also highly recommend you season the salmon well before air frying it, and make sure to allow each salmon bite room in the air fryer basket to get a little bit crispy on the outside!
Yes! They’re balanced with protein, healthy fats, carbs, and plenty of nutrients. The spicy mayo is the most “unhealthy” component of the bowl, but in moderation it is totally fine!
Once the salmon easily flakes and look opaque, it is done. If you stick a fork into it and it doesn’t flake easily, it might need another minute or two in the air fryer! Luckily, it will cook quite quickly in the air fryer.
Yes! The way this salmon bite bowls recipe is written, the spicy mayo is quite mild and can be served to kids. Not every kid is going to love the salmon, but the salmon bites here are super flavorful and have a crispy outside that might sway any picky eaters!
More Favorites to Try
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups of water, oil, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it steam with the lid on for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos), garlic, ginger, pepper, and honey. Add the cubed salmon and toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes, if you have the time!
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the salmon in a single layer.
- Cook at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until cooked through and lightly caramelized.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, sesame oil, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and lime juice.
- Taste and adjust the spice level if needed. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- Divide the rice among bowls.
- Top with salmon, sliced cucumber, and avocado.
- Drizzle with spicy mayo and serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
- Remove the skin carefully with a sharp knife! Before slicing the salmon into bites, take the skin off of the salmon filets. Just use a sharp knife to slice it off. You might slice a little bit of the salmon off with it, but that’s okay!
- Dice your salmon cubes even pieces. As best as possible, try to dice the salmon into even sized cubes so that they all cook at the same rate.
- Adjust the spicy mayo to taste! I don’t like my spicy mayo to be too spicy, so I only add a little bit of sriracha. But give it a taste and add more as needed to really make your air fryer salmon bowls your own!
