Air-Fryer Salmon: The Perfect Bite In Minutes

Air fryer salmon bites are a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be served as an appetizer or main course. The bites are usually seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces, such as lemon pepper, garlic butter, paprika, and lime juice, and are often served with rice, salad, or vegetables. The cooking time for salmon bites in an air fryer varies depending on the specific recipe and the desired level of doneness, but typically ranges from 5 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F.

How to cook salmon bites in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• Skinless salmon fillets
• Olive oil or olive oil spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano (optional)
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Lime juice (optional)
• Fresh lemon (optional)

Method

• Cut the salmon fillets into 1-inch cubes.
• Place the salmon cubes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil or spritz with olive oil spray.
• Add your chosen seasonings and gently toss the salmon until it is thoroughly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
• Place the salmon pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the salmon for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Serve the salmon bites with your chosen sides or sauces.

Tips

• It is best to use fresh or thawed salmon for this recipe. If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or by placing the fish in a sealed bag and submerging it in cold water for 30 minutes.
• Always shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure the salmon cooks evenly.
• If you want to add a sauce to your salmon bites, try a creamy garlic butter sauce, a lemon garlic butter sauce, or a remoulade sauce.
• Salmon bites can be served as an appetizer, in a salad, in a rice bowl, in tacos, or with roasted vegetables as a main dish.
• Leftover salmon bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

How to make a sauce to accompany salmon bites

While salmon bites are delicious on their own, they can be elevated with a sauce. Here are some ideas for sauces to accompany your salmon bites:

Honey and Soy Sauce

Honey and soy sauce is a classic combination that can add a glossy, sticky glaze to your salmon bites. Simply whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and sriracha (for an extra kick) and pour this over your salmon bites. You can marinate the salmon in this mixture for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking, or use it as a sauce to drizzle over the cooked salmon.

Garlic Cream Sauce

A creamy garlic butter sauce is a delicious way to add flavour and moisture to your salmon bites. To make this sauce, heat butter, heavy cream, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir everything together until the butter is melted and the sauce is heated through. Pour this sauce over your cooked salmon bites and serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Lemon and garlic is a fresh and zesty combination that pairs perfectly with salmon. To make this sauce, add melted butter, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic to a bowl of seasoned salmon cubes and toss to coat. Place the salmon cubes in an air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the cooked salmon bites before serving.

Lemon Dill Sauce

A creamy lemon dill sauce is a classic pairing with salmon and can be made without any cooking. Simply stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Drizzle this sauce over your cooked salmon bites for a tangy, herby punch of flavour.

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri is an Argentinian sauce that is simple to make and adds a bright, garlicky flavour to grilled meats, chicken, fish, or vegetables. It is perfect for drizzling over grilled or baked salmon bites.

Lemon Caper Sauce

A lemon caper sauce is a magical combination of salty, buttery goodness that will complement the flavour of your salmon bites. This sauce can be drizzled over grilled or baked salmon for a tangy, savoury punch.

How to store and reheat salmon bites

Salmon bites are a delicious and easy meal to make, but what do you do when you have leftovers? Here is a guide on how to store and reheat your salmon bites to ensure they stay moist and delicious.

Storing Salmon Bites

If you have cooked salmon bites left over, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the salmon bites. Make sure they are completely cooled before freezing. Place them on parchment paper in a storage container to prevent sticking, and then seal and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Salmon Bites in an Air Fryer

To reheat salmon bites in an air fryer, first let the salmon come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for even heating. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, checking for doneness around the 3-minute mark. You can brush the salmon with a glaze or olive oil before reheating to add moisture and flavour.

Reheating Salmon Bites in the Oven

Reheating salmon in the oven is a great way to ensure it stays moist. Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Let the salmon come to room temperature before reheating. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, and cover loosely with foil. Bake for 5-10 minutes, checking for doneness around the 5-minute mark. You can also brush the salmon with a glaze or olive oil before reheating to add moisture.

Reheating Salmon Bites on the Stovetop

For a quick option, you can reheat salmon bites on a stovetop in a non-stick skillet over low heat. Add a small splash of water or olive oil to the pan to create steam and help keep the salmon moist. Place the salmon bites skin-side down (if they have skin) and heat for 3-5 minutes per side, or until warmed through. Be careful when flipping the salmon to avoid breaking it.

Other Reheating Methods

You can also reheat salmon bites in a microwave or by steaming, but these methods are less recommended as they can dry out the salmon. If using a microwave, cover the salmon with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, flipping the salmon each time. For steaming, place the salmon in a steamer basket or on a plate over simmering water and steam for 5-7 minutes.

Remember, when reheating salmon, it is important to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 125-145°F (50-63°C) to be safe for consumption. Enjoy your delicious, crispy salmon bites!

How to remove the skin from salmon

There are several ways to remove the skin from salmon, some of which require a knife, and some that don't. Here are a few methods to try:

The Boiling Water Method

This method involves using a baking rack, a casserole or baking dish, and boiling water. Place a rack over the casserole dish to catch the water, and then put the salmon on the rack, with the skin side facing up. As the water boils, gently pour a little over the salmon skin and you will see the skin start to shrivel and lift up from the heat. Let it sit for a minute, then simply peel the skin off.

The Freezer Method

This trick involves putting the salmon in the freezer for about an hour, and then using a sharp knife to slice off the skin, with the tip of the knife placed under the skin.

The Knife Method

If you don't want to use hot water or freeze the salmon, you can use a sharp knife to carefully slice the skin off. Angle the knife down towards the skin and slowly slide it between the skin and the flesh. Once you've cut through about an inch, turn the knife so it's parallel to the cutting board. Grip the skin for leverage and slide the knife along it to keep as much of the fish intact as possible.

Ask the Fishmonger

If you really don't want to remove the skin yourself, you can always ask the person behind the seafood counter to do it for you. Some grocery stores will do this free of charge.

How to marinate salmon bites

To make salmon bites, you'll need to start with fresh or frozen salmon filets. If your salmon has skin, you'll need to remove it. You can do this by using a sharp knife to slice it off or by pouring boiling water over it and then peeling it off.

Once the skin is removed, cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine your choice of seasonings and/or sauce ingredients. For example, you could try a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, or a combination of toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, and ginger. Pour your chosen mixture over the salmon cubes and toss to coat.

At this point, you can choose to marinate the salmon in the fridge for 30 minutes to enhance the flavour. However, this step is optional and may cause the fish to toughen if left too long.

After marinating, spritz or spray the salmon with olive oil and place the cubes in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390-400°F for 5-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and browned.

Frequently asked questions