Our Air Fryer Salmon bites are marinated and coated in a slightly sweet, Asian-inspired, butter-garlic honey soy sauce. Air fried until tender inside with irresistible caramelized golden edges, these crispy salmon bites are perfect served as a main dish or as an appetizer.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
These crispy air fryer salmon bites are very easy to make and always turn out perfect! Ready in about 10 minutes, this deliciously seasoned salmon bites can be served as a main course or as an appetizer.
After you quickly air-fry the marinated cubes of salmon. Then dress them with the reserved marinade to make for the most flavorful bowl of air-fried fish. If you’re a salmon lover, you won’t be able to resist these tender salmon bites.
What’s in Air Fryer Salmon Bites?
This air fryer salmon recipe is made with bite-sized pieces of salmon infused with the flavors of soy sauce, sesame, fresh ginger and garlic. Honey adds slightly sweet notes to the savory sauce, and the addition of butter lends a velvety mouthfeel to the sauce.
How Does Air Fryer Salmon Bites Taste?
These tender and flaky salmon bites have the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The umami in the soy sauce combined with the light sweetness of honey and the buttery flavor of the fish create the most delicious bite. Sesame oil and sesame seeds add a mild but distinct nutty taste and crunch.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Salmon Bites?
Quick and Easy: These salmon bites only require a few steps of prep work and the cooking time is very brief.
Healthy: Salmon is a packed with nutrients and is a great source of protein.
Customizable: Although we love the nutty, savory-sweet combination of flavors in the marinade/sauce, you can experiment by switching up ingredients to create a variety of flavor profiles. Lemon Pepper, Cajun seasoning and Buffalo sauce are just a few ideas.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the complete list of ingredients and quantities, check the printable recipe card below.
- Salmon Filet: Salmon has a delicate, flaky texture that works perfectly for bite-sized salmon pieces. Buying skinless salmon fillets will make cutting the fish into nuggets easier however, you can remove the skin yourself. Frozen salmon is just as good (or better) than the fresh salmon sold in most grocery stores, which us usually previously frozen.
- Soy Sauce: You can use low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari.
- Honey or Brown Sugar: Honey or brown sugar brings a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements in the sauce. Maple syrup can also be used.
- Rice Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Either of these ingredients contributes tangy and acidic flavor. Nothing can compare to the taste of fresh lemon juice though. It’s infinitely better than bottled citrus juice. Good substitutions are white wine vinegar and lime juice.
- Fresh Garlic: Garlic adds depth and complexity to the overall taste profile of the salmon bites. You can use garlic powder, if necessary.
- Ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds warmth and a little kick of spicy flavor. Ginger powder can be used (about 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon)
- Toasted Sesame oil: Aka Asian sesame oil adds a nutty and toasty flavor to the marinade. Make sure you use toasted sesame oil which is very different in taste than regular or light sesame oil.
- Sesame seeds: Garnishing the fish with toasted sesame seeds adds a delicate crunch and a nutty flavor to the salmon bites. You can use black sesame seeds or other garnishes like thinly sliced green onions and even furikake.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer?
Here’s the quick version of how to make this easy salmon bites recipe. Find all of the details on the printable recipe card below.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the fresh salmon into evenly sized pieces (about 1 inch cubes). Transfer the salmon cubes to a resealable plastic bag (for easy clean up) or a medium bowl.
- To make the fish marinade and sauce, melt the butter in the microwave and then, combine it with the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, toasted sesame oil, and black ground pepper.
- Pour half of the marinade over the salmon and toss to coat. For best flavor, allow the fish to briefly marinate.
- Spray air fryer basket with oil (optional but recommended). Place salmon bites in a single layer, in the basket of the preheated air fryer.
- Air fry for the recommended time or until they reach the recommended internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer. Halfway through cooking, shake the basket.
- Once the salmon bites have reached the desired doneness, transfer them to a mixing bowl. Pour over the reserved sauce. Gently toss. Serve sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Common Questions About Air Fryer Salmon Bites
How Long Should Salmon Go in the Air Fryer?
Salmon typically takes about 10 minutes or less to cook in the air fryer. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness — it will take significantly less time (only about 6 minutes) if you want your salmon to be medium rare.
How Do you Know When Salmon is Cooked in an Air Fryer?
The most accurate way to check fish (or any other meat) for doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the salmon. You can also use a fork. Simply insert the fork tines into the fish to see if it flakes easily.
Why is My Air Fryer Salmon Dry?
If the salmon is dry it has likely been overcooked. It’s best to keep an eye on the fish and start checking for doneness before the recommended cooking time. Cooking times vary depending on your air fryer brand and model and the type of salmon you use. If your fish is overcooked don’t worry! The sauce will help the overall texture of the dish. You can also add about 1 extra tablespoon of butter into the sauce to compensate for the dryness of the fish.
What is the Best Air Fryer Temp for Salmon?
In this air fryer salmon bites recipe we cook the fish in a preheated 400ºF air fryer.
Do you Put Skin Up or Down When Air Frying Salmon?
If you choose salmon with the skin on, place the salmon skin side down into the air fryer basket.
What to Serve With Salmon Bites?
There are so many side dishes that pair beautifully with salmon. Here are some of our favorites:
Make Ahead, Storing, Freezing and Reheating Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Make Ahead: You can make the marinade ahead of time and slice the salmon and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Don’t marinate the fish for more than 2 hours.
Storage: Place leftover salmon bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing: Store cooked and cooled salmon bites in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: You can reheat the salmon bites in the air fryer for 3 minutes or in the microwave until warm through.
Tips for Making the Best Salmon Bites
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Avoid overcrowding the salmon in the fryer basket. The heat needs to reach all sides of the salmon bites to cook evenly and achieve the perfect texture.
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Allow the salmon to rest briefly after cooking for the juiciest results.
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To ensure your salmon doesn’t stick to the air fryer basket, you can spray it with some cooking spray or use olive oil or avocado oil.
- Cut the fish into evenly sized pieces for even cooking.
- If your salmon is frozen, thaw it out completely before air frying it.
- If time permits, marinate the salmon for 15 to 20 minutes and no longer than 2 hours.
- You can line the air fryer with parchment paper or an air fryer liner or spray it with cooking spray.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filet skinless, pin bones removed, cut into one-inch cubes
Marinade and Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce use low sodium if preferred
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Ground black pepper
- Toasted sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to slice the fresh salmon into evenly sized pieces (about 1 inch cubes). Transfer the salmon cubes to a resealable plastic bag (for easy clean up) or a medium bowl.
- To make the salmon marinade and sauce, in a medium sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. To the melted butter add the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, toasted sesame oil and black ground pepper. Mix to combine.
- Pour about half of the marinade over the salmon, reserving the remaining marinade to use as sauce over the cooked fish. Gently toss the salmon with the marinade to coat. You can marinate the fish while preheating the air fryer or if time permits, marinate for 15 to 20 minutes (recommended as it will give the fish a boost of extra flavor).
- Preheat the air fryer to 400º Fahrenheit. Spray air fryer basket with oil (optional but recommended).
- Arrange the salmon bites in the basket, on a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Air Fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness (120ºF for medium-rare, 130ºF for medium, 140 for well-done), shaking the basket halfway through the cooking.
- Remove salmon nuggets from the air fryer and into a mixing bowl. Pour the remaining marinade/sauce over the fish. Toss gently and serve immediately garnished with toasted sesame seeds.
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