Delectable Air Fryer Salmon Bites are on the table in just 15 minutes. Flaky and tender, with a sweet-and-tangy honey soy sauce glaze, this is a goes-with-everything protein that’s easy to make and even easier to eat. Pair them with rice, veggies, or add them to a salad for a fast meal!
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Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
- Salmon for Everyone. Just call them salmon nuggets, because these air fryer salmon bites appeal to kids, and adults love them too! As with Teriyaki Salmon, the sweet and savory flavors are warmly familiar and universally adored.
- So Flavorful. It’s the honey mustard glaze that gives this salmon that familiar flavor, with just the right balance of zip and sweetness. You’ll be pleased to know, however, that you can use any seasoning or marinade you like with this recipe for easy air fryer salmon bites.
- Lightning Fast. Including both prep and cooking, this entire dish is done in just 15 minutes. If you’re tired of takeout but rarely have the energy to cook after work, air fryer salmon bites and a quick veggie side like Air Fryer Asparagus is going to be your go-to.
- Versatile. Use these salmon bites for meal bowls (a la this Buddha Bowl), tuck them into tortillas with Asian Cabbage Salad for fusion tacos, or pair them with dipping sauces for a kid-friendly main. Need more bite-sized versatile protein? Try my Air Fryer Steak Bites.
- Based on a Reader Favorite. People love my Air Fryer Salmon and this is the bite-sized version of that recipe. Readers adore the flaky texture and crispy exterior (this Pan-Seared Salmon is delightfully crispy too!), along with the quick, easy cooking process. Win! Wins all around!
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
The Ingredients
- Center-Cut Salmon. The center cut is the thickest part of a salmon fillet. I recommend wild-caught salmon rather than farmed, as it is typically higher in nutritional value and more sustainable.
- Dijon Mustard. Mustard has a sharp, zippy flavor that adds oomph to our salmon. It also helps balance the sweetness of the honey.
- Honey. As this Honey Glazed Salmon and Honey Garlic Salmon attest, it’s a fabulous flavor with salmon.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce. Using low-sodium soy sauce puts control of the seasoning in your hands. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away!
- Seasonings. Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
The Directions
- Combine. Place the salmon in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
- Coat. Toss until the salmon is well-coated.
- Arrange. Place the salmon cubes in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry. Air fry salmon bites at 400 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until flaky. Serve the air fryer salmon bites immediately and ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Use 2 tablespoons honey, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and omit the soy sauce and ginger. Season the air fryer salmon bites with salt after they’ve cooked. Just a little sprinkle-sprankle.
- Easy Teriyaki Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Skip all of the seasonings in the recipe and use your favorite teriyaki sauce instead.
- Other Dry Seasonings. Use my Salmon Seasoning or any combination of dry herbs and spices. Those dry rubs that have been sitting in your pantry since last summer are also great here.
- Other Marinades. I love this Salmon Marinade, but you can use your go-to recipe or a store-bought option.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftover air fryer salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- To Reheat. Gently reheat the salmon nuggets in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat until just warmed through.
Leftover Ideas
For breakfast, I like adding leftover salmon bites to Crustless Quiche. For lunch, add it to this Spinach Strawberry Salad. When dinnertime rolls around, use salmon bites in my Salmon Pasta recipe.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Asparagus. Try Grilled Asparagus or Roasted Asparagus while your air fryer is busy, or Asparagus Casserole if you’re in the mood for a bigger production.
- Other Vegetables. This salmon recipe really does go with anything, from Roasted Brussels Sprouts to Sautéed Green Beans and Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
- Salad. Add air fryer salmon bites to Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad for some extra protein. They’re also a great way to jazz up a simple salad like this Arugula Salad.
- Rice. Lemon Rice pairs beautifully with any seafood recipe, or try this Instant Pot Brown Rice.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Fish Spatula. You don’t need to flip air fryer salmon bites, but a fish spatula does make them easy to serve.
- Air Fryer. If you have limited space in your kitchen, you’ll appreciate that this one is also a toaster oven and indoor grill.
- Mixing Bowls. I use this set almost daily because it has every size you could possibly need.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Line the Air Fryer Basket. Optional, but recommended! A layer of parchment paper or foil coated with nonstick spray makes it easier to remove the fish—and you won’t have to scrub the basket to clean off the salmon bits either.
- Cook in Batches. AKA the golden rule of air frying and roasting. Crowding these air fryer salmon bites too close will result in them steaming. They’ll still be good (the same way Poached Salmon is delicious), but they won’t have that lightly crisp exterior you want.
- Know When They’re Done. As always, an instant read thermometer is the surest way to know when your salmon is done cooking. This Baked Salmon Temperature Guide is also true for air fryer salmon. Alternatively, you can simply cook the salmon until you can flake it with a fork.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Tender, flaky and ready FAST, this air fryer salmon bites recipe with honey soy glaze is perfect for serving with rice, veggies, in a bowl!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound center cut salmon skin removed
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes. Place in a medium bowl. Top with the mustard, honey, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat. Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Add the salmon bites to the air fryer, ensuring they are not touching—do not overlap the cubes; you may need to cook in 2 batches. Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through (no need to flip). The salmon should flake easily with a fork. Repeat with remaining salmon. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Adapted from my Air Fryer Salmon
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover air fryer salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
- TO REHEAT: Gently reheat the salmon nuggets in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat until just warmed through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 46gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 125mgPotassium: 1176mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 593IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg
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Let’s hear it for salmon! The flaky fish even seafood skeptics can agree upon. If you loved it in these salmon bites, you’ll also enjoy it in these recipes.
Oh my gosh these salmon bites are out of this world delicious. The sauce is great. The fact that the dish is fast and easy is an added bonus. We put the salmon bites on a tortilla wrap, added some coleslaw and a little sriracha sauce. This has become one of our favorite, easy meals.
So glad to hear you enjoyed them, Lucille!
This was so good! I love our usual salmon prep but was in the mood for something different. This was excellent. We followed exactly – served on brown rice and with the parsley and lemon slices. Thank you.
Yay! Thank you Jessie!
Tried for the first time and it’s AMAZING! You truly can put on anything. I’m not an air fryer pro but this was simple and pretty foolproof. I decided to use cauliflower rice as a base and it was great. Will be putting this in the monthly rotation from now on.
Glad you enjoyed it, Laritsa!
This was simple and delicious (and using parchment paper to line the air fryer means virtually no-clean up! Bonus!)
This is a keeper, and will def. find a home in the rotation.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, LLA! Looks great!