This dish will work as a main dish for two or an appetizer for four. These bites are perfect served over a bed of rice with edamame and carrots for a quick and easy sushi-style bowl!
It costs around $11.50 to make this salmon. The recipe makes four servings, which costs about $2.87 per serving.
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer Salmon Bites:
- Flavor: Salmon lovers everywhere will enjoy the fresh salmon seasoned perfectly with a simple spice blend. The dipping sauce sets these crispy salmon bites over the top. This will be your new favorite way to eat salmon.
- Easy Air Fryer recipe: No need to heat the stove or the grill when you can use the air fryer to get salmon with a juicy interior and crispy caramelized exterior. This recipe is an excellent option for a quick meal or appetizer, with step-by-step photos to give you an easy way to make something amazing.
- Make it a complete meal: This recipe with rice and veggies is great for a sushi bowl meal prep. It is an easy, healthy meal.
Salmon Air Fryer Bites Ingredients & Cost:
Per Serving Cost: $2.87
Recipe Cost: $11.50
- 1 pound fresh salmon – $9.99
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil – $0.24
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.03
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper – $0.02
- ¼ cup soy sauce – $0.60
- 2 Tablespoons honey – $0.36
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar – $0.11
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil – $0.10
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder – $0.02
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.02
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in March 2024.
How To Air Fryer Salmon Bites:
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Toss salmon cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange salmon cubes in a lightly greased air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Air fry for 4 minutes at 400°F.
- Flip the salmon and cook for 3 more minutes.
- While the salmon cooks, whisk the sauce ingredients together.
- Baste salmon with the sauce (reserve the rest for dipping).
- Air fry the glazed salmon for 1 minute.
- Remove salmon, cool slightly, garnish if desired, and serve plain, with white or brown rice and veggies, or on top of a salad.
Recipe Variations:
Here are some tested variations for this salmon bites recipe.
Salmon:
- Flavor Boost: Swap ¼ cup of the salmon with smoked salmon for a smoky flavor twist.
- Spice it Up: Add ½ teaspoon of your favorite spice blend like Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning for a different taste profile.
- Protein Swap: Replace the salmon with firm tofu cubes marinated in the same sauce for a delicious vegetarian option.
Dipping Sauce:
- Sweet & Spicy: Substitute brown sugar for honey in the dipping sauce for a deeper sweetness with a hint of caramel. Balance it with some red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Asian Fusion: Replace the soy sauce with an equal amount of low-sodium tamari for a gluten-free option. Add a splash of sriracha for a vibrant kick.
- Herbs & Citrus: Add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro for extra freshness. Substitute rice vinegar with the same amount of lime juice for a zesty twist.
Garnishes:
- Get Crunchy: Use chopped peanuts, cashews, or almonds for textural contrast.
- Freshness Burst: Add chopped fresh herbs like chives, mint, or parsley for a vibrant touch.
Salmon Bites in Air Fryer Storage Tips:
SERVE: Serve over rice and your choice of toppings. You can keep the salmon out for no longer than 60 minutes before it neds to be covered and refrigerated.
STORE: Store the leftover salmon in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
FREEZE: Note that freezing can alter the flavor and texture of the salmon. Once cooled, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap or place in freezer-safe bags, squeezing out as much air as possible. Freeze for 30-60 days.
THAW: Transfer the frozen salmon bites to the refrigerator and thaw overnight for the best results.
REHEAT: To reheat, use low heat methods like gently warming them in a skillet with a little oil or using the microwave on a low power setting.
Recipe FAQs:
Do you have to flip salmon in an air fryer?
Yes, for this recipe, you will need to flip the recipe. The salmon is skinless, so you must flip it to cook it evenly.
How do you keep salmon from sticking to the air fryer?
You will want to spray the basket lightly with non-stick cooking spray before adding the salmon to the basket to help keep the salmon from sticking to the basket.
How long to cook salmon cubes in an air fryer at 400?
It’ll take about ten minutes to cook the salmon in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. However, all air fryers are different. I used the Cosori Air fryer for this recipe. You may have to adjust the cook time and temperature if you have a different model. You will know the salmon is done when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
More From Food Folks and Fun:
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- Air fryer
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- whisk
- baster
Ingredients
SALMON:
- 1 pound fresh salmon skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
SALMON DIPPING SPICE:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder can also use fresh
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder can also use 1 clove garlic, minced
- chili flakes to taste optional
GARNISHES:
- Sesame seeds optional
- chopped green onions optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Add salmon cubes to a bowl, and add olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss the salmon cubes into this mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the salmon cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece.
- Air fry for 4 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip the salmon cubes and cook for 3 more minutes.
- While the salmon is cooking, make the dipping sauce: whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, chili flakes, and garlic powder until well combined. Adjust flavors to taste.
- Baste the salmon cubes with a bit of the sauce using a basting brush (reserve the rest for dipping). Cook salmon bites with the glaze for 1 more minute.
- Once done, remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or green onion if desired. Serve over rice with your favorite veggies for a complete meal.
Notes
- All air fryers are different. I used the Cosori Air fryer for this recipe. You may have to adjust the time and temperature if you have a different model.
- Basting the cubes with the dipping sauce carmelizes the exterior. Don’t cook it for more than 1 minute with the glaze to prevent it from burning.
- Don’t forget to spray your air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. This recipe is great for a sushi bowl meal prep with rice and veggies.
Nutrition
did you love this recipe?
Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!
subscribe for new recipes
Get all the latest recipes in your inbox!
connect with us
Make sure to tag #foodfolksandfun on instagram!
