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Quick and easy air fryer salmon bites are perfectly seasoned and finished with a sticky, Asian-inspired glaze. The sweet and savory marinade is made with pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and garlic. Each bite offers a tender, flaky center surrounded by golden, caramelized edges, creating a juicy, flavor-packed bite that takes under 10 minutes to cook. Serve them over rice bowls, tucked into tacos, or on top of fresh salads for an easy, versatile protein you can use all week long.
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Pin ItThese are one of my go-to weeknight dinners because they check every box: quick, healthy, and adaptable to whatever I have on hand. The marinade is simple to whisk together with soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, and the salmon only needs a short soak before it is ready for the air fryer. Most nights, I keep it easy and serve them warm with rice or veggies, but they also work well in bowls or tacos when I want something a little more fun. I often make a double batch, so I have extras for lunch the next day.
Tips for Beginners
- Cut into even cubes. Cut the salmon into evenly sized one-inch cubes so everything cooks at the same rate. Pieces that are too large or too small can cook unevenly, resulting in dry edges or underdone centers.
- Don’t crowd the basket. Air fry in a single layer and do not overcrowd the basket. The salmon needs space and airflow to crisp properly, so cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
- Pat the salmon dry. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels before marinating, especially if it was previously frozen. Excess moisture prevents caramelization and can lead to steaming instead of crisping.
- Adjust the temperature. If the bites are browning faster than they are cooking through, lower the temperature slightly or reduce the time. You can also check the center with an instant-read thermometer for accuracy. Because the marinade contains honey, keep an eye on the edges to prevent burning.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs salmon
- ⅓ cup soy sauce for gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger minced
- ½ tsp salt
- pinch of pepper
- sesame seeds for garnish
- sliced green onions for garnish
- Sriracha mayonnaise for garnish
Instructions
- Remove skin from salmon. Then, slice the salmon into 1-inch cubes.1½ lbs salmon
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, onion powder, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper.⅓ cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp onion powder, 3 cloves garlic, 1 inch piece of ginger, ½ tsp salt, pinch of pepper
- Add the salmon pieces to the bowl, and toss to coat in the marinade.
- Marinate for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then, add the salmon in a single layer to the air fryer basket. Do this in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 8-9 minutes at 400°F until the edges are crispy and caramelized.
- Serve with rice, and top with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and sriracha mayo.sesame seeds, sliced green onions, Sriracha mayonnaise
Becky’s Tips
- Baked method: You can bake or pan-fry the salmon cubes, though cooking time and texture will vary.
- For extra crunch/glaze: reserve a bit of unused marinade or make a simple extra glaze to brush on after cooking.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Prep the salmon: Remove the skin from a 1-1½ lb. salmon filet and slice into 1-inch cubes.
Make the marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp onion powder, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1-inch piece of ginger, minced, ½ tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
Toss the salmon: Add the salmon to the marinade bowl and toss to coat each piece. Set aside to marinate for 15-30 minutes.
Fill the basket: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Add the salmon in a single layer. You may have to cook in batches.
Air fry: Cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 8 to 9 minutes, just until the salmon bites turn golden with crisp, caramelized edges.
Serve and enjoy: Serve over warm rice and finish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of sriracha mayo. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3 minutes to bring back some of the crisp edges, or warmed gently in a skillet if you prefer.
If you want to freeze them, arrange the cooked bites on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
I love how easy it is to build meals around these salmon bites because they fit into almost anything I am craving. Most often, I turn them into salmon bowls or Buddha bowls with steamed rice, quick pickled onions, and a big drizzle of sriracha mayo. They also make a great high-protein snack straight from the fridge when I need something quick. If I want something fresh and lighter, I toss them into a kale salad or avocado salad with sesame dressing. However you serve them, they add flavor, protein, and a little excitement to even the simplest meal.
These air fryer salmon bites look perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside — such a great quick meal idea 👍
I really like how efficient and approachable this method is, especially for busy days. Thank you for such a practical and tasty recipe!