Salmon Couscous Bowls (Lemony & Garlicky!)
If there was an award for best and easiest dinner recipe, these Salmon Couscous Bowls would win every time. Juicy air fryer salmon bites, buttery couscous, and roasted broccoli come together in a bowl that somehow feels cozy and elevated, the kind of meal that looks like you tried way harder than you did!
These lemony and garlicky salmon couscous bowls are an easy dinner win. The salmon cooks up perfectly golden in the air fryer, while the couscous gets that toasty, nutty flavor from a quick butter sizzle. Add in a tray of roasted broccoli for balance (and bonus crunch), and suddenly you’ve got a dinner that checks every box: simple, healthy-ish, and seriously good.
Plus, this bowl is endlessly flexible! You can swap the broccoli for whatever’s hanging out in your fridge, drizzle everything with a little tahini or yogurt sauce, or even turn it into a meal prep favorite for the week.
But once you taste how good salmon is in bite-sized, air-fried form, you’ll wonder why you ever cooked it any other way! These salmon bites are based off of my air fryer salmon recipe, but with different spices that match this recipe a little more.
Ingredients You Need
- Butter: Toasting the couscous in a bit of butter adds a nutty, rich flavor that sets it apart from plain grains.
- Pearl Couscous: Also called Israeli couscous, these small, chewy pasta pearls soak up flavor beautifully.
- Broth or Water + Better than Bouillon: Adds savory depth to the couscous. Use chicken broth, water + Better that Bouillon, or vegetable broth.
- Thyme + Parsley: Simple dried herbs that bring a subtle herby aroma without overpowering.
- Broccoli: Roasts into tender, crisp-edged perfection! You can swap for any veggie you like (zucchini, green beans, bell peppers, or asparagus all work).
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps everything roast and brown beautifully.
- Salmon: Cut into bite-sized cubes for quick, even cooking and maximum golden edges in the air fryer.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens everything and keeps the salmon fresh and vibrant.
- Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Flakes: The perfect mix for flavor without fuss, with just enough heat to make things interesting.
- Lemon Wedge: A final squeeze at the end ties the whole bowl together.
Different Types of Couscous
There are a few different kinds of couscous, and they’re not all the same!
- Moroccan couscous: The tiniest kind! It cooks in just a few minutes and has a light, fluffy texture.
- Israeli (pearl) couscous: Slightly larger, almost like little pasta pearls. It’s chewy, hearty, and perfect for bowls.
- Lebanese (moghrabieh) couscous: The largest kind! It’s similar to small tapioca pearls, takes longer to cook, and has a bouncy texture.
For this salmon couscous bowl recipe, you can use any variety of couscous you have on hand. Cooking time will vary, though!
How to Make Salmon Couscous Bowls
For the full ingredients list and instructions, click here.- Roast the Broccoli: Spread the broccoli florets out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F for about 15 minutes, or until tender with lightly crisped, golden edges.
- Cook the Couscous: Meanwhile, prepare the couscous by melting butter in a saucepan and toasting the grains briefly. Pour in the water or broth along with the thyme and parsley. Stir, bring to a simmer, then cover and let steam for 7–8 minutes until fluffy.
- Season the Salmon: In a medium bowl, toss the diced salmon with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes. Set aside.
- Air Fry: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the salmon bites in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until perfectly golden and cooked through.
- Assemble & Enjoy: To assemble, divide the couscous between bowls and top with the roasted broccoli and salmon bites. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a bright, fresh garnish.
Tips for Success
- Air fryer salmon is a game-changer! Cutting it into cubes helps it cook fast and evenly while staying juicy inside. I highly recommend cooking it this way!
- Cook the couscous in broth! It can be vegetable broth or chicken broth, but it is important for a cozy, savory flavor in the couscous layer.
- Don’t overcook the salmon. Make sure to keep an eye on the salmon. Since we cut it into small pieces, it really doesn’t take long to cook!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just adjust the cooking time, regular couscous steams much faster (about 5 minutes).
No! Couscous is not gluten-free. It is made with wheat flour. If you need a gluten-free option, opt for quinoa instead.
Roasted zucchini, asparagus, or even Brussels sprouts are great options. You can also toss in some cherry tomatoes or spinach at the end for extra color.
Definitely. You can pan-sear the cubes for 2–3 minutes per side or bake them at 400°F for 10–12 minutes.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can store each bowl in a tupperware for meal prep and reheat briefly in the microwave.
More Bowls to Try
Lemony Salmon Couscous Bowls
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the broccoli florets out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F for about 15 minutes, or until tender with lightly crisped, golden edges.
- Meanwhile, prepare the couscous by melting butter in a saucepan and toasting the grains briefly. Pour in the broth along with the thyme and parsley. Stir, bring to a simmer, then cover and let steam for 7–8 minutes until fluffy.
- In a medium bowl, toss the diced salmon with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes. Set aside.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the salmon bites in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until perfectly golden and cooked through.
- To assemble, divide the couscous between bowls and top with the roasted broccoli and salmon bites. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a bright, fresh garnish.
