Air Fryer Salmon Bites

We love making salmon in the air fryer — it cooks the fish perfectly, every time. It’s crazy easy to use and gets a tasty dinner on the table quickly. In addition to air-fried salmon, we love air fried cod. We alternate between these two air fried seafood entrees on the regular!

What Are Air Fryer Salmon Bites?

Salmon bites are salmon fillets cut into bite-sized pieces, then cooked in the air fryer. The salmon is seasoned with garlic parsley salt and sweet paprika, then cooked in a speedy ten minutes. After it’s done, lemon juice is squeezed over the fish, adding a fresh, citrusy flavor to the tender salmon bites.

How to Make Salmon Bites

All you need to make these salmon bites is a couple of ingredients and an air fryer. The rest is easy.

• Cut the salmon: Cut the salmon filets into smaller salmon cubes.
• Season the salmon: Season each bite with avocado or olive oil, garlic parsley salt, and paprika.
• Position into the basket: Place the salmon in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the pieces.
• Fry the salmon: Air fry for about seven minutes, shaking the salmon in the basket about halfway through.
• Drizzle with lemon juice: Remove the salmon from the basket and drizzle fresh lemon juice all over.

Flavor Variations

These salmon bites are tender and have a slight citrusy flavor from the lemon juice. For more flavor variations, use these ingredient variations.

• Cajun-style: Season the salmon with Cajun seasoning for a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
• Honey mustard: Whisk 1/4 cup of dijon mustard with three tablespoons of honey. Brush the tops of the salmon with the mixture for a sweet and salty fillet.
• Soy sauce: Place raw bites in a marinade with soy sauce or coconut aminos (for a gluten-free option). Add garlic powder for extra flavor. Marinate for no longer than 30 minutes.
• Teriyaki sauce: Marinate the salmon bites in teriyaki sauce for a sweet and salty flavor. Or, glaze the salmon with the sauce after it’s cooked. (Make sure not to use the same sauce that marinated the raw salmon!)

Build a Salmon Bowl

These salmon bites are the perfect base for a salmon bowl, similar to our california sushi bowl. Here are ideas of how to build your salmon bowl.

• Base: As a base for the dish, make a pot of quinoa or rice.
• Topping: On top of the base, add pickled onions or pickled jalapenos. If you like fresh veggies, add sliced cucumbers, avocados, and shredded carrots.
• Sauce: Top it off with a tasty sauce like our china coast dressing, spicy mayo, or soy sauce.
• Garnish: Complete the bowl with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.

Tips from the Kitchen

To avoid any surprises and ensure the best salmon bites, follow these tips.

• Cut into equal sized pieces: To make sure the salmon cooks evenly, cut each filet into smaller equal sized pieces. One inch cubes are our favorite.
• Check salmon temperature: Some air fryers cook quicker than others, so check the salmon temperature with a thermometer. Salmon is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
• Choose skinless salmon: To make it even easier, use skinless salmon. If skinless is unavailable, remove the skin from the flesh prior to air frying.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket: For crispy salmon bites, space the salmon bites out in the basket, so the air will circulate around all of the bites in the air fryer. This will result in a crispy outside without overcooking the inside.
• Shake the basket: Shake the basket mid-way through cooking to ensure even crisping and cooking of the bites.
• Use sweet paprika: Sweet paprika has a sweeter, slightly fruity flavor with a hint of pepper compared to regular paprika. In a pinch, regular paprika works well, too.

Ways to Serve

Other than using the salmon bites to make a salmon bowl, serve the bites as an appetizer, entree, in a salad, or in a sandwich.

• Appetizer: Serve the seasoned salmon bites as an appetizer with zucchini fries or sauteed mushrooms.
• Entree: These salmon bites are one of our favorite side dishes. Serve the bites as a protein alongside creamed herb potatoes, with lobster risotto, or on top of egg roll in a bowl. Add more air fryer veggies like asparagus and broccoli.
• Salad: Use the salmon bites as salad toppers for caesar salad, arugula caprese salad, or kale quinoa salad.
• Sandwich: For a tasty fish sandwich, place the bites in-between slices of sourdough bread with tartar sauce, lettuce, onion, and tomato.

Storage Tips & Reheating

In the unlikely event of salmon bite leftovers, follow these storage and reheating tips for the best flavor the next day.

• Refrigerator: To store for up to three days, place salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep in mind salmon does have a tendency to dry out in storage, so the longer it is stored, the drier it gets.
• Reheating: To reheat the salmon, place it back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Air frying will bring the crispy texture back. Top it with oil or butter and lemon to add extra moisture.

FAQ

More Salmon Recipes

• Smoked Salmon Toast – The ultimate breakfast meal!
• Salmon Chowder – Veggies, potatoes, and smoked salmon in a creamy broth
• Salmon Spring Rolls – Smoked salmon, sliced veggies, and avocado wrapped in rice paper
• Oven Baked Salmon – Great for making large amounts of salmon at once
• Grilled Salmon Kebabs – Lemon juice, thyme and garlic salt for the tastiest grilled entree.

Recipe

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Print Pin

Servings

4 servings

Prep Time 3 mins

Cook Time 6 mins

Total Time 9 mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

These air fryer salmon bites are seasoned with lemon, paprika, and garlic parsley salt. They taste amazing with a perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs salmon filet
• 1 tbsp oil avocado or olive
• 1/2 tbsp garlic parsley salt
• 1/2 tbsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 lemon juiced

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Cut salmon into equal sized pieces.
  
• Season with oil, garlic parsley salt, and paprika.
  
• Position the salmon inside the air fryer basket, careful not to overcrowd.
  
• Air fry at 400°F for about 7 minutes, shaking the salmon in the basket halfway through cooking time.
  
• Remove from the basket and drizzle a bit of lemon juice all over the salmon. Enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Amount Per Serving

Calories 359 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 125mg42%

Sodium 973mg41%

Potassium 1150mg33%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 0.4g0%

Protein 45g90%

Vitamin A 525IU11%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.