10 Minute Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer meatballs, air fryer chicken parmesan, air fryer cod, and air fryer coconut shrimp. Whenever I want to change up my usual air fryer salmon, my air fryer salmon bites recipe is always a fabulous alternative. These are a sure-fire way to have dinner on the table quickly.

Why I love this recipe

A better way to cook salmon. I couldn’t live without my air fryer, especially when it comes to cooking seafood. It needs a fraction of the time of other cooking methods. Incredible flavor and texture. The bites are tender, flaky, and crispy and moist in the middle. They have a lovely Asian sweet and savory flavor that leaves you wanting more! Quick and mess-free. Cooking salmon in the air fryer means you get to skip the mess and long cooking times of pan-fried salmon and baked salmon. Plus, you don’t need any oil or fat to make it taste amazing! A healthy meal prep option. If you are a meal prep fiend like me, this is a winning protein option for you. The bite-sized salmon pieces go well with anything and everything (hello, salmon bowls!).

Ingredients needed

Skinless Salmon fillets. Pick up a juicy and vibrant-looking skinless salmon filet and slice it into 1-inch cubes or pre-cut salmon cubes. You can use fresh or frozen salmon here, but you’ll have to thaw the frozen fish before marinating and cooking. Spices. Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder round out the rest of the flavors in the marinade. Soy sauce. This gives the marinade a salty and umami flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich salmon. Tamari or coconut aminos work for a gluten-free substitute. Garlic and ginger. Use fresh garlic and ginger for extra vibrancy. Honey. To give the sauce a mild floral sweetness. Maple syrup or brown sugar will work well as substitutes. Cornstarch. Cornstarch and water are mixed together and used as a thickening slurry for the sauce. Garnishes. Fresh lemon juice, sesame seeds, and green onion.

How to air fry salmon bites

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Make the marinade: Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Step 2- Marinate: Add the salmon bites to the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat. Set aside to marinate. Step 3- Air fry: Cook the salmon bites in the air fryer until they’re crisp and tender. Step 4- Thicken the sauce: Meanwhile, whisk the cornstarch slurry into the remaining sauce (in a small saucepan). Heat it over medium heat until it thickens. Step 4- Serve: Drizzle the crispy salmon bites with the sauce, then garnish and serve!

Arman’s recipe tips and variations

Cut into even pieces. Slice the salmon into evenly sized cubes to help them cook evenly and at the same time. Cook in a single layer. It’s best to air fry the bites in an even layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space in between each one. This way, the heat can circulate evenly around every piece and crisp the outside. Let them rest. After cooking, let the bites rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes. This gives those wonderful meaty juices time to settle back into the meat, leaving you with the most succulent results. Add herbs and spices. Add dry thyme, oregano, or onion powder to enhance the flavors in the sauce. Use a pre-made marinade. Replace the marinade in this recipe with any flavorful marinade of choice or a simple combination of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Storage instructions

To store: Once the leftover salmon has cooled, pack it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 days. While salmon bites can take between 10 to 12 minutes to cook in the air fryer, you’ll know they’re cooked to perfection when the meat flakes easily. Check them often to ensure they don’t overcook or dry out. You can also use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. For the most moist and tender salmon, I recommend cooking it to an internal temperature of 120ºF to 125ºF. To freeze: You can also freeze the cooked salmon bites for up to 2 months. Let the salmon thaw in the fridge before reheating. To reheat: Place the seasoned salmon bites back into the air fryer and reheat at 375ºF until the bites are warmed through.