Air Fryer Salmon Bites: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryer salmon bites are a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. They are versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides, such as rice bowls, salads, or tacos. The bites are typically coated in a spice rub or a sauce and then air-fried to perfection, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender, flaky interior. The cooking process is mess-free and takes less than 10 minutes, making it a convenient option for busy individuals and families.

How to prep salmon for the air fryer

Preparing salmon for the air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Cut the Salmon into Bite-Sized Pieces

Use a sharp knife to cut the salmon fillet into cubes of roughly the same size. This helps ensure even cooking. Aim for bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch in size.

Step 2: Season the Salmon

Place the salmon cubes in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, oregano, or lemon pepper seasoning. Gently toss the salmon until it is thoroughly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes before cooking. This helps ensure consistent cooking results.

Step 4: Arrange the Salmon in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the seasoned salmon pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping and that there is space between each piece. This allows hot air to circulate evenly around each piece, ensuring a crispy exterior.

Step 5: Air Fry the Salmon

Cook the salmon bites in the air fryer for about 6 to 8 minutes. For best results, shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning and cooking. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Tips:

• If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it completely before seasoning and cooking.
• Always shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.
• For a crispy exterior and moist interior, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F.

How to make a sauce or marinade

To make a sauce or marinade for your salmon bites, you can try a few different options. A lemon garlic butter sauce is a great choice, combining fresh garlic, lemon juice, and melted butter. This sauce is drizzled over the salmon bites after cooking, so be sure to make enough.

You could also try a sweet and savoury sauce, made with honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. This sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry and brushed over the salmon bites before serving.

If you're looking for a simpler option, a remoulade sauce is a great choice. This sauce is made with mayonnaise, mustard, milk, and various spices, and can be made ahead of time.

For a more unique option, you can make a sweet and spicy sauce with honey, hot sauce, and low-sodium soy sauce. This sauce can be used as a dip or drizzled over the salmon bites.

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

• Combine fresh garlic, lemon juice, and melted butter in a mixing bowl.
• Toss the salmon cubes in the sauce until well coated.
• Place a liner in the air fryer basket to prevent the sauce from dripping through.
• Air fry the salmon bites as directed, adding the sauce to the basket along with the salmon.

Sweet and Savory Sauce:

• Whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch mixed with water.
• Marinate the salmon bites in the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Remove the salmon from the sauce and air fry as directed.
• Heat the remaining sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until thickened.
• Brush the sauce over the cooked salmon bites before serving.

Remoulade Sauce:

• Mix mayonnaise, stone-ground mustard, milk, horseradish, celery seed, onion powder, dried parsley flakes, white vinegar, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Feel free to experiment with different sauces and marinades to find your favourite!

How to cook salmon in the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make air fryer salmon bites:

• Skinless salmon fillets
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Lemon
• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Italian seasoning
• Onion powder

Optional Ingredients:

• Cayenne pepper
• Thyme
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Butter
• Fresh garlic

Method

Prep Salmon

Start by cutting the salmon fillets into 1-inch cubes. Place the salmon cubes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano to the seasoning mix. Gently toss the salmon until it is evenly coated.

Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the salmon pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The salmon is ready when it is browned on the outside and flakes easily with a fork.

Serve

Air fryer salmon bites can be served as an appetizer or main course. For a simple dish, serve the salmon bites with lemon wedges and fresh parsley or a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce, sriracha mayo, or remoulade. For a heartier meal, serve the salmon bites over rice or salad, or add them to tacos or rice bowls.

Tips

• If using frozen salmon, be sure to thaw it completely before marinating and cooking.
• To prevent the salmon from sticking to the air fryer basket, spray the basket with oil before adding the salmon.
• For extra flavour, marinate the salmon in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger before air frying.

How to store and reheat salmon bites

Air fryer salmon bites are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.

When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is your best friend. Simply preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 365°F and cook the salmon bites for about two to three minutes. This will ensure they are heated through without drying out.

If you don't have access to an air fryer, there are a few alternative methods you can use to reheat your salmon bites:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to a low temperature of around 275°F (135°C). Place the salmon bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. You can add a splash of water or drizzle with olive oil to prevent drying out. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 5-10 minutes.
• Stovetop or skillet: Use a non-stick skillet on low heat with a splash of water or drizzle of olive oil to prevent the salmon from drying out. Place the salmon bites skin-side down and heat for 3-5 minutes per side until warmed through.
• Microwave: While not ideal, if you're in a pinch, you can use a microwave. Cover the salmon bites with a microwave-safe cover and heat in 30-second bursts at 30-40% power, flipping each time for even heating.

Remember, the key to reheating salmon bites is to avoid overcooking and drying them out. Always aim for gentle heating methods and consider adding a bit of moisture to keep the salmon moist and juicy.

What to serve with salmon bites

Salmon bites are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas on what to serve with them:

As a Main Course

Salmon bites can be served as a main course with a variety of sides. Some options include:

• Rice: You can serve the salmon bites with a bed of rice, such as brown rice or your favourite grain. This makes for a filling and nutritious meal.
• Vegetables: Pair the salmon bites with roasted or sautéed vegetables, such as broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower rice, or broccoli rice.
• Salad: Create a fresh salad with greens, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and avocados, and top it with the salmon bites.
• Tacos: Add the salmon bites to tortilla shells and top them with a cabbage slaw and a creamy sauce, such as a yogurt sauce or Sriracha mayo.
• Rice Bowls: Combine salmon bites with rice, avocado, a boiled egg, and a drizzle of sesame oil and soy or teriyaki sauce.

As an Appetizer

Salmon bites also work well as an appetizer or starter. Here are some ideas:

• Dipping Sauce: Serve the salmon bites with a dipping sauce such as spicy mayo, creamy sesame sauce, or ranch dip.
• Toothpicks: For a bite-sized appetizer, serve the salmon bites with toothpicks for easy eating.

Other Ideas

There are also some other creative ways to serve salmon bites:

• Salmon Bowls: Create a bowl with salmon bites, cooked rice, and sautéed vegetables. You can cook the vegetables in the same skillet as the salmon to maximise flavour.
• Leftovers: Use leftover salmon bites in salads, wraps, stir-fries, or other creative dishes.
• Freezing: If you have leftover salmon bites, you can freeze them for up to 3 months and reheat them later.

Frequently asked questions