Hot and crispy! These air fryer salmon bites are absolutely mouthwatering. I feel like I'm at a restaurant when I eat these heavenly morsels. And huge plus: you can whip them up in just 20 minutes along with some sriracha aioli for dipping.
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These little air fryer salmon nuggets are straight up delicious and beyond easy to make. They're great solo but also versatile and amazing in many different meals.
I love using them in rice bowls or salmon poke bowls atop oven baked rice and fresh greens with spicy mayo sauce.
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Great For Your Weeknight Meal Rotation!
Simple: This recipe is so easy, so straightforward and SO delicious. Plus it doesn't call for any crazy ingredients.
Quick: Salmon nuggets cook fast in the air fryer so you can them ready in just 20 minutes. Great for a busy weeknight!
Versatile: Use your salmon bites as a main dish and include some simple sides, or sprinkle them on a salad to make it extra filling.
Your Grocery List!
- Salmon: Look for skinless salmon filets. If you can only find skin-on, try this hot water trick (it works BEAUTIFULLY). You can also use a sharp knife to remove the skin, and sometimes it can be removed at the meat counter or fish market if you ask an associate.
- Soy sauce: Or sub teriyaki sauce, coconut aminos.
- Honey: For a little touch of sweetness! Maple syrup is a good alternative.
- Toasted sesame oil: Regular sesame oil also works, but I love the flavor of toasted or roasted sesame oil. Avocado or olive oil can also be used if that's what you've got on hand.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ground ginger and paprika! Feel free to mix things up and use your favorite seasonings.
- Garnish: Fresh lemon juice adds the best, bright flavor! Chives are super aromatic and colorful (green onions would also work). Sesame seeds are another tasty garnish idea.
Making Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Prep salmon:
- If your air fryer requires preheating, get it revved up now. Set to 400°F!
- Cut salmon into bite-sized pieces. Try to make them somewhat uniform, but don't worry too much. I've found that smaller/thinner pieces get crispier in the air fryer and I'm not complaining.
Season!
- Add soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground ginger and paprika. Stir well to coat nuggets fully.
Fry 'em up:
- Coat air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer. Leave some space between pieces and don't overcrowd so that all cubes can brown properly. Cook in 2 batches if necessary!
- Fry at 400°F for 5-8 minutes, shaking halfway through. Once browned and slightly blackened around the edges, salmon is done.
Serve and enjoy:
- Garnish salmon bites with a squeeze of zesty lemon juice and chopped fresh chives. Enjoy!
Stacey's Top Tips 🐟
- Don't worry about uniform pieces too much. Smaller ones will get crispier in the air fryer, but that's a good thing in my opinion.
- Can't find skinless salmon? Use the hot water hack. I've tried this and it worked flawlessly.
- Make this recipe with frozen salmon! Thaw in the fridge overnight on in cold water. If the water starts to warm up, swap it out or add ice. We don't want the fish to come to room temp.
What To Serve With Your Bites
Sauce: Turn salmon bites into an appetizer. Serve with toothpicks and creamy poblano sauce, spicy mayo or Baja sauce for dipping!
Roasted veggies: Serve salmon atop brown or white rice with roasted broccoli and cauliflower or asparagus on the side.
Salad: Add salmon nuggies to a garden salad for extra protein.
🐟 Fish tacos! Swap salmon for mahi mahi in these tacos. The best summery meal.
Make Ahead & Storage
Make ahead: Cube salmon, add seasonings and mix well. Place in an airtight container or cover your mixing bowl with plastic wrap until you're ready to cook! Mind expiration date on your salmon packaging.
Storing leftovers: Place leftover air fried salmon bites in an airtight container and refrigerate 3-4 days.
How to reheat: I recommend reheating bites in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed though. You can also microwave leftovers, but I feel texture is better with an air fryer.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- 1 Knife, cutting board, mixing bowl and spoon *For prepping and seasoning salmon
- 1 Air fryer *Mine is Chefman brand, 4 quart size!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless salmon filets *cubed *see note below
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce *see note below
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil *or regular sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Chives and lemon wedges *for garnish *lime also works!
Recipe notes:
Salmon: If you can't find skinless salmon filets, you can remove the skin yourself. I use this hot water hack and it works great! You can also use a sharp knife. Some stores or fish markets will remove the skin for you if you ask. Soy sauce: Or make teriyaki salmon bites by subbing teriyaki sauce! Need a gluten free option? Try coconut aminos.Instructions
- If your air fryer requires preheating, fire it up to 400℉.1 pound boneless, skinless salmon filets
- Cube salmon and place in a large bowl. Don't worry too much about pieces being uniform size and thickness! Some will be meaty and others crisp. This variation in texture is tasty.
- Add soy sauce, oil, honey and seasonings. Mix until salmon is coated.1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Add seasoned salmon bites to the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between pieces. You'll likely need to cook two batches which isn't a huge deal because these fry up fast!
- Air fry salmon at 400℉ for 5-8 minutes. The largest piece of salmon should reach an internal temperature of at least 145℉. You can use a food thermometer to check.
- Garnish with a splash of fresh lemon juice (or lime juice) and chives! Serve salmon bites with spicy mayo or dipping sauce of choice and enjoy.Chives and lemon wedges
Storage & Reheating:
- Place leftover salmon bites in an airtight container and refrigerate 3-4 days. To reheat: air fry 2-3 minutes at 400°F or until warmed though. You can also microwave leftovers, but I feel texture is best with an air fryer.
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