We love a good easy protein for a busy night and these air fryer salmon bites have quickly become one of our new favorite ways to enjoy salmon. My husband isn’t the biggest fan of salmon but loves it when I make these!
They are marinated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce and then are quickly cooked in the air fryer. The marinade gives them a little bit of a crisp on the outside while the inside says juicy and tender.
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Not only are these salmon bites in the air fryer easy to whip up for a quick meal, but it’s also a great healthy option. Salmon is full of protein, omega-3s, high in B12 (and all B vitamins), and also has iron, potassium, selenium, and vitamin D. A nutritional powerhouse!
I like serving them with some sauce, carbs, and veggies for an easy dinner. You can also use them on top of salads, in tacos, or just as an appetizer.
Why you’ll love this air fryer salmon bites recipe
- quick and easy way to make salmon
- packed with flavor – the combination of the marinade and the salmon is so tasty!
- versatile – use them in rice bowls, on salads, in tacos, as an easy protein source for dinner, or as an appetizer at a party.
Ingredients
- skinless salmon – I like using wild-caught salmon. Tip – you can ask your butcher to remove the skin for you or do it yourself at home with a sharp knife.
- coconut aminos – a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- sriracha – for a little spice
- honey – for a touch of sweetness
- rice vinegar
- sesame oil
- fresh garlic
- ground ginger
- salt and pepper
How to make air fryer salmon bites
- Mix the marinade. In a medium bowl, mix the coconut aminos, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Adjust according to taste.
- Marinate salmon. Add salmon to the bowl and mix well to evenly coat all the pieces. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes or longer if desired.
- Cook salmon. Add salmon pieces to your air fryer basket, spreading out evenly in a single layer. Make sure to leave some room between them to allow for even airflow. If you have a lot of marinade left in your bowl, you can drizzle a little more on top of the salmon. Air fry at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.
- Enjoy! Top with additional toppings and sides and enjoy.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
No, I have never preheated my air fryer for anything and find you don’t need to as it is just a waste of energy. It will get hot enough without preheating.
How long to cook salmon bites in the air fryer?
Salmon bites will take 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness and how big you cut them, at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Salmon is done when the internal temperature reaches 135-145 degrees.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be doubled, but you will probably have to cook your salmon in batches (depending on how big your air fryer is). You don’t want to overcrowd or pile the salmon on top of each other as they won’t cook evenly and could stem.
What to serve with air fryer salmon bites
These crispy salmon bites are great by themselves as an appetizer or as a full meal with some carbohydrates and veggies. Here are some of my suggestions:
- rice – white rice, coconut rice, or cauliflower rice
- top on of a salad
- in salmon tacos – with shredded cabbage, pickled onions, salsa, and some kind of sauce
- with sesame garlic green beans, baby bok choy, or Chinese cabbage
- with air fryer brussels sprouts
- as a bowl meal – I love these air fryer salmon bowls with white rice, carrots, cucumber, edamame, avocado, and sriracha mayo
Storage and reheating
- fridge – if you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- freezer – I do not recommend freezing this recipe as the texture will change once defrosted.
- reheating – reheat leftover salmon bites in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 3 minutes.
Substitutions
- salmon – I like using wild-caught sockeye salmon, but your favorite type of salmon fillet will work.Â
- coconut aminos – soy sauce, low sodium soy sauce,  or tamari will work instead, it will just change the flavor a bit. If using soy sauce, the recipe will not be gluten-free.
- sriracha – any kind of chili hot sauce should work instead.
- honey  – maple syrup will work instead.
- rice vinegar – apple cider vinegar or lime juice will work instead.
- sesame oil – avocado oil or a light olive oil will work instead, but the flavor will not be the same as sesame oil has a rich and nutty flavor.
- fresh garlic – garlic powder will work instead. Use 1/2 teaspoon.
- ground ginger – fresh minced ginger will work instead. Use 2 teaspoons.
More healthy air fryer recipes
- crispy air fryer brussel sprouts
- air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings
- the best air fryer french fries
- air fryer chicken parmesan
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREEÂ How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
equipment
ingredients
- 10 ounces salmon, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- salt and pepper, to taste
- for topping – green onions, sesame seeds…
- for servings – sriracha mayo, white rice, veggies, avocado…
instructions
- Mix the marinade. In a medium-large bowl, mix the coconut aminos, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Adjust according to taste.
- Marinate salmon. Add salmon cubes to the bowl and mix well to evenly coat all the pieces. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes or longer if desired.
- Cook salmon. Add salmon pieces to your air fryer basket, spreading out evenly in a single layer. Make sure to leave some room between them to allow for even airflow. If you have a lot of marinade left in your bowl, you can drizzle a little more on top of the salmon. Air fry at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.
- Enjoy! Top with additional toppings and sides and enjoy.
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nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by Sierra Inn
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excellent – sauce is great and the veggies make a perfect rice bowl. One of my favs!!
So glad you enjoy them, Nancy!
This recipe was TOP notch. So easy and so freaking good! My 4yr old even loved it and he’s the pickiest. This is going to be a regular meal around here!
So glad to hear it was a hit with the kiddo! Thanks for trying it, Hannah!
Made this for dinner and added some roasted veggies to the bowls as well as making a hibachi mayo sauce. the salmon was amazing and per your advice the edamame with the rice was a 10/10. will be making this again as we love salmon and it was an easy weeknight meal
Yum, those sound so good! So glad you enjoyed it, Lauren!
Perfect tossed with some homemade teriyaki sauce — even my picky 6 yr old ate it!
So glad you enjoyed them, Steph! Thanks for trying it!
I am not sure I will ever cook salmon a different way after trying it like this!
So happy to hear that, Sandy! Glad you enjoyed it so much and thanks for trying it!
Wow, these are excellent. I have had salmon in the air fryer as fillets, but not as these bites. The sauce was tangy, with some spice and sweetness – a great combo. I love the variations for serving them also – especially the rice and salad options!!
So glad you enjoyed them, Nancy! Thanks for trying it!