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These Air Fryer Salmon Bites are tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and coated in the most delicious sticky-sweet teriyaki glaze. It’s both quick AND easy to make – ready in about 20 minutes!
Air Fryer Salmon Bites That Practically Make Themselves
These incredible air fryer salmon bites are my newest go-to quick dinner! I love cooking salmon in the air fryer and this simple recipe is PACKED with delicious teriyaki flavor.
It’s so easy to make – no marinating required! Honestly, the most important thing to remember is to cut the salmon bites as close to the same size as possible so that they cook evenly. Also, keep a digital meat thermometer close by because salmon bites cook super quick!
Perfect with steamed jasmine rice, broccoli, and spicy mayo for dipping.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Perfect for Busy Nights: These Air Fryer Salmon Bites come together in 20 minutes, making them ideal for weeknights when you need something fast. There’s no lengthy marinating, just season, cook, and glaze. The air fryer does most of the work, so you can prep side dishes while the salmon cooks.
- Versatile: You can serve these salmon bites over rice for a simple dinner, in lettuce cups for a fresh and low-carb option, or as a party appetizer with toothpicks. They’re delicious with different sauces, from teriyaki sauce to Thai sweet chili, hot honey, or even spicy mayo. You can also swap out the seasonings to match whatever you have on hand, making it a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
- Kid-Friendly: Bite-sized pieces of food are fun for kids to eat and easy for little hands to pick up. The sweet teriyaki glaze has a mild, savory flavor that appeals to even the most picky eaters. Plus, these salmon bites are cooked in the air fryer, making them a much healthier alternative to fried fish nuggets.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
Feel free to follow this recipe exactly as written, or season and glaze your salmon bites with whatever ingredients you already have opened and ready to go. If you’d like to make homemade teriyaki sauce, you can find that recipe here.
- Salmon: Choose fresh, high-quality salmon that is boneless and skinless. Wild caught salmon typically has richer flavor, firmer texture, and less fat compared to wild-caught salmon.
- Teriyaki Sauce: The sweet, salty base of the glaze. Use your favorite store-bought brand or make my homemade teriyaki sauce for the best flavor.
- Seasonings: This recipe starts by seasoning the salmon with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. For heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne powder or red chili flakes.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds warmth and brightness. The easiest way to grate fresh ginger is on a microplane grater. Ground ginger can be substituted (about ¼ teaspoon).
- Brown Sugar: Boosts sweetness and helps the glaze caramelize. Honey or maple syrup are great substitutes.
Starting with Frozen Salmon?
Don’t be afraid to use frozen salmon! In fact, most of the salmon that I eat is purchased frozen. The key is to thaw your fish before cooking. You can do this two ways:
- Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you aren’t in a rush, transfer your frozen salmon to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
- Thaw it asap. In a hurry? Use the cold water method. Simply submerge the sealed bag containing your salmon in a bowl filled with cold water for 30-45 minutes. If the salmon is still frozen, dump out the cold, icy water and refill with cold, but less icy water. Repeat until the fish is fully thawed.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
The air fryer cooks these salmon bites perfectly in just minutes. It’s so easy to make.
To begin, pat the fully thawed salmon bites dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help them crisp nicely around the edges and prevent them from steaming.
Next, coat the salmon in olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat, making sure all of the salmon pieces are evenly coated in the seasoning mixture.
Then, sprinkle with cornstarch and mix until evenly coated.
Spray the air fryer basket with a little non-stick cooking spray and arrange the salmon in a single layer. Make sure there’s a little space between each piece so that they can crisp on all sides.
Air fry at 400°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
In the meantime, warm the teriyaki sauce, brown sugar (or honey), and freshly grated ginger in a small pot over medium-low heat, or in the microwave.
After the salmon has cooked for a few minutes, remove the basket and brush both sides of the salmon bites with the teriyaki glaze.
Finish cooking for another 3 minutes or so, or until the salmon is crispy on the outside and cooked through (125-135°F for medium or 145°F for well done).
Once the salmon has finished cooking, garnish and serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and sliced green onion.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the salmon dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, especially in the air fryer. Before seasoning, press the salmon cubes firmly with paper towels on all sides to remove excess moisture. This step allows the oil and cornstarch to adhere better, resulting in a golden, crispy exterior rather than steaming in the basket.
- Cook in batches, if needed. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking and softer, less crispy salmon bites. Arrange the salmon pieces in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one, to allow the hot air to circulate freely around each piece. If your air fryer is smaller, it’s better to cook in two batches than try to fit everything in at once.
- Monitor the internal temperature. Salmon cooks quickly, and overcooking can dry it out. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. For best results, remove the salmon when it reaches 125-135°F for medium, as it will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the air fryer. This ensures juicy, tender bites every time.
- Chop the salmon into equal-sized pieces. Cutting the salmon into uniform 1 to 1½-inch cubes helps them cook evenly. If some pieces are much larger or smaller than others, the smaller ones can overcook while the larger ones remain underdone. Taking a moment to size them evenly ensures consistent texture and cooking time.
5 Easy Flavor Variations
It is SO EASY to switch up the seasoning and sauce for these crispy salmon bites. Here are five fresh ideas to get you started:
- Bold & Zesty Heat: Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning with Cajun-style remoulade sauce
- Bright Tropical Warmth: Sazon seasoning with avocado crema and citrus Mojo sauce
- Savory Latin Fusion: Multi-purpose adobo seasoning with garlic aioli and salsa verde
- Smoky Southwest Spice: Taco seasoning with chipotle ranch dressing
- Herby Mediterranean Tang: Za’atar seasoning with lemon tahini dressing
Tip: It’s best to serve creamy mayo-based sauces on the side or give them a light brush 1-2 minutes before they finish cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Salmon bites can be enjoyed a number of different ways! They can be enjoyed as an appetizer, as a main, or even tossed among your favorite bowl of leafy greens. Here are some ways I’ve recently served these crispy teriyaki salmon bites:
- As a main: It’s easy to turn these salmon bites into a complete and well rounded meal with a couple flavorful side dishes. Roasted veggies like broccoli and roasted asparagus with coconut rice is my family’s favorite. Be sure to set aside a little extra teriyaki sauce for drizzling (being careful not to cross-contaminate with raw salmon).
- Wrapped in tacos: Salmon tacos are delicious! I like to serve these teriyaki salmon bites wrapped in soft flour tortillas with creamy coleslaw, fresh mango salsa, and tangy pickled red onions.
- In a rice bowl: I love rice bowls! I serve my salmon bite rice bowls similar to poke bowls – with all the toppings. I start with white or instant pot brown rice topped with crispy air fryer salmon bites and extra teriyaki sauce for drizzling. Then I add fresh cucumber, sliced avocado, and edamame. I also like to add spicy mayo for extra creaminess. Yum!
- As an appetizer: Whenever I serve this recipe as an appetizer, I make sure to come prepared with at least three different dipping sauces. Spicy mayo is my favorite, but I also love a my homemade tartar sauce, this spicy-sweet Korean BBQ sauce, tangy comeback sauce, and creamy horseradish sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the best results. Since air fryers circulate hot air from the top, the tops of the salmon bites tend to brown and crisp faster than the bottoms. For this recipe, cook the salmon bites for the first 3-4 minutes, then brush them with the teriyaki glaze, flip, brush the other side, and continue cooking for 2-3 more minutes until done.
Yes, absolutely. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the salmon in a single layer, and bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven, brush the salmon with the warmed teriyaki glaze on all sides, then return it to the oven and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 135°F. For extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil for the final 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Salmon bites typically take 7-8 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C). The flesh will turn from translucent to opaque and it should easily flake apart with a fork. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part, but for more tender, restaurant-style salmon, aim for 125 130°F (52 54°C) and rest for 2-3 minutes.
Storage and Reheating
Storage: Allow the salmon bites to cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze in a single layer before transferring to a container to prevent the bites from sticking together.
Reheating Options:
- Air Fryer (Best for Crispiness): Preheat to 350°F and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through.
- Oven: Place on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
- Microwave (Quickest, Least Crisp): Heat in short 20-30 second bursts until warm. To help retain some crispness, place a paper towel under the salmon while microwaving.
- From Frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat using your preferred method.
More Salmon Recipes
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon fillet, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 to 1½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, optional
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar, or honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Dry the salmon: Lay paper towels on a plate, place the salmon cubes on top, and gently pat dry to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Season: Discard the paper towels. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the salmon and toss again until each piece is lightly coated.
- Air fry (first cook): Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Arrange the salmon in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes.
- Make the glaze: While the salmon cooks, warm the teriyaki sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the honey (or brown sugar) and grated ginger until combined.
- Glaze the salmon: Brush the salmon with the glaze, flip the pieces, and brush the other side.
- Finish cooking: Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through (internal temperature 125-135°F for medium, or 145°F for well done).
- Serve: Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and extra teriyaki sauce, if desired. Serve over white rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
