Air fryer salmon bites are healthy, protein packed, omega 3 loaded, and it’s mess free! Follow these step by step instructions how to make and how long to cook salmon bites in the air fryer that doesn’t result in sticky pans and is ideal for any mealtime. Toss in soyaki sauce or any sauce of choice for a lip-smacking dish you’ll fall in love with.
Table of contents
I love baked salmon when I need a fast dinner because not only does it whip up super fast, it requires such little prep, less than fifteen minutes, and it looks and tastes great.
…but wait!! I’m a mom and sometimes things can’t go as planned. I need dinner stat!
Air fryer salmon bites to the rescue. Fast, bite size, so simple (like literally nothing but a few seasonings), and they are versatile to eat alone, on rice, with salad, or make a salmon bowl for lunch meal prep.
What are Air Fryer Salmon Bites
In a nutshell, these snack size gems are salmon, cut into about one inch cubes, and air fried for the fastest fish recipe you have ever made with very little effort.
What’s Good About Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- very little preparation
- clean and less mess than having to use pans
- simple ingredients
- healthy, tender, moist, and delicious
- very versatile to make the salmon bites as a main dish or use as a topping to salad or rice, in a bowl, or add to pasta
- air fryer salmon bites are the biggest time saver when you need a meal done fast
- this the perfect base recipe for adding more seasonings, sauce, or garnishes as you continue to make these in your future meals
Ingredients for Simple Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Salmon filet, boneless, skinless – fresh or frozen. Frozen has to be totally thawed.
- Avocado oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Scallions – garnish
Soyaki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp fresh garlic
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- pinch of salt – to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic and ginger and as soon as fragrant add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar.
- Simmer for five minutes.
- Strain over a wire mesh strainer into a small bowl. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and any salt to taste. That’s it!
Click here for the detailed SOYAKI SAUCE recipe. Make the soyaki sauce first so it’s ready to go as soon as the salmon bites are ready.
Soyaki is like teriyaki sauce with fresh ingredients and the addition of toasty sesame flavor. Be sure to make enough for saving extra because you are going to love it.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Air Fryer
- Parchment Paper
- Tongs
How to Cook Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
This is a fast recipe! If you are making soyaki sauce to go with the salmon bites, make it first so it’s ready to go.
- Turn the air fryer on to 400 so it has time to preheat.
- Pat dry the skinless, boneless salmon filet.
- Slice it into cubes that are about 1.5 inches each side. Bite sized.
- Place the salmon cubes in a bowl and sprinkle the avocado oil and spices all over. Toss to coat.
- Place on the parchment paper, with space in between each piece, and set the timer on the air fry for about 8-10 minutes till done. 9 minutes is perfect. 10 is very well done or for chunky pieces. The salmon should be opaque in the inside but not over done and dry. Just perfectly tender, flaky, fall apart, moist.
- Toss in heated soyaki sauce or any sauce you like. Garnish. Serve and enjoy.
How Long to Cook Salmon Bites in Air Fryer
Cook salmon bites in the air fryer for about 8-10 minutes for the best results. Following this recipe is ideal for the salmon to be cooked and tender, but not overdone.
9 minutes is ideal for 1-1.5 inch cubes. If you salmon is a little chunky then change the temp to 10 minutes.
Salmon should not be too well done. Just right at well done is perfect, then remove the salmon from the air fryer as soon as it is ready. Or else it’s too dry.
If you see white coming from the salmon flakes, it’s too well done.
You will know when the salmon is done because it smells good and just falls apart and flakes with a fork.
The internal temperature for cooked salmon is 145 F (63 C). Invest in a digital meat thermometer if you like to be exact in checking your food temps.
Step By Step Images
Notes and Tips
- For best results pat dry the salmon, then season.
- Use very little oil. Salmon is already oily.
- Season properly. Toss to ensure even coating of each piece.
- Don’t forget to preheat your oven.
Add Ins and Variations
- Make it spicy and add some cayenne pepper and onion powder.
- May it sticky and add some honey to the salmon coating before air frying.
- Serve it over rice with furikake all over the top.
How to Serve Salmon Bites
If you wonder what to eat with salmon bites, there are SO many choices! You can seriously make salmon bites into so many of the following ideas:
- Salmon Tacos or Salmon Kebabs with yogurt sauce
- Salmon bites in a salmon Bowl
- Salmon Bites alone with a simple sauce to dip such as tartar sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, toyomansi, chili sauce, or as in this recipe…soyaki which is lip-smacking delicious with salmon and rice.
- Simple serve salmon bites with any rice, quinoa, farro, pasta, cauliflower rice, on top of Filipino vegetarian pancit noodles, or with vegetable stir fry.
- Try salmon bites on sesame noodle salad or on simple miso crunch salad. These salads are really refreshing and light for salmon bites…trust me on this.
If you want to bake a whole salmon filet, try making miso glazed salmon or firecracker salmon for a delicious, stand-out main dish.
Feeling brunch moods? Try using this salmon bites method in a sandwich. Check out this amazing rockfish or cod sandwich recipe that gives you all the details on how to make a fish sandwich that hits the spot.
Don’t miss perfectly seared scallops that are done in less than ten minutes.
Perfect Air Fryer Salmon Bites in Ten Minutes
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
- cutting table
- knife
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb Salmon filet boneless, skinless – fresh or frozen. Frozen has to be totally thawed.
- 1 tsp Avocado oil
- ½ tsp Salt to taste
- ½ tsp Paprika
- ¼ tsp Black Ground Pepper
- 1 tbsp Scallions – garnish
- Soyaki Sauce OPTIONAL or use any sauce you like.
Instructions
- Turn the air fryer on to 400 so it has time to preheat.
- Pat dry the skinless, boneless salmon filet.1 lb Salmon filet
- Slice it into cubes that are about 1.5 inches each side. Bite sized.
- Place the salmon cubes in a bowl and sprinkle the avocado oil and salt, pepper, and paprika all over. Gently toss to coat.1 tsp Avocado oil, ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Paprika, ¼ tsp Black Ground Pepper
- Place on the parchment paper, with space in between each piece, and reset the timer on the air fryer for 9 minutes till done.
- The salmon should be opaque in the inside but not over done and dry. Just perfectly tender, flaky, fall apart, moist. 10 minutes is very well done. I suggest removing the salmon at 9 minutes or go to 10 for chunky cut salmon. You're DONE…or make it saucy. (See the next two steps)
- Toss in any sauce you like or have sauces on the side.Soyaki Sauce
- Garnish with scallions. Serve and enjoy.1 tbsp Scallions – garnish
Notes
- soyaki sauce
- japanese bbq sauce
- hot buffalo sauce
LEAVE A COMMENT