This Air Fryer Salmon Bites recipe can be ready in just about 15 minutes and is perfect for serving in a bowl, tacos, or over rice and veggies. The salmon is coated in a simple brown sugar spice rub, then cooked until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The air fryer gives the salmon the perfect texture, and keeps it super healthy. For a similar recipe using full filets, you can also try this Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Salmon recipe. Or for a different protein, try these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, or Buffalo Pork Bites.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
My love for the air fryer was officially sealed once I tried cooking fish in it. It is hands down the best way to cook crispy-on-the-outside but tender-on-the-inside fish at home. Not only is it quick, it’s also healthier because you use less oil, and cleaner because you don’t have grease splattering from pans.
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These salmon bites are coated in a brown sugar spice rub that adds a sweet and salty glaze to each piece as it cooks. I love to use these in tacos, bowls, or just served over rice with veggies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Low mess. The cooking is contained, and uses far less grease, so you won’t have grease splattering all over your kitchen or a greasy lingering smell.
- Ready in 15 minutes. These cook super fast—in just 4-5 minutes per batch—so they can be ready in no time.
- The perfect texture. The air fryer gives salmon the perfect texture that is slightly crisp on the outside but super tender still on the inside, all without using much oil or additional fat.
Key Ingredients You Will Need
- Salmon: this recipe is for 1 pound of salmon, which will be about 3 full filets. Be sure to pat them dry with paper towels first, then cut into even pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Brown Sugar: this adds a little sweetness and creates a glaze over the salmon as it cooks and melts.
- Seasoning: feel free to experiment a bit here, but I used smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Prep the salmon. Pat your salmon dry with a paper towel, then cut into 3/4″ -1″ cubes. Add the avocado oil and stir to coat.
- Make the brown sugar rub. Combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, sprinkle the rub over the salmon, stir well, then let the salmon sit for about 10 minutes before cooking.
- Cook in the air fryer. Place the salmon in the preheated 400 degree F air fryer, giving each piece of salmon a little space on all sides, doing 2-3 batches as needed. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Serve. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer, transfer to a bowl, and cover with aluminum foil while the rest of the salmon cooks. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to pat the salmon dry before adding the spice rub. Removing the excess moisture helps to get it crispy on the outside as it cooks.
- Give the salmon space to cook! Don’t be tempted to crowd the air fryer basket just so you can cook it all in one go. If you do, the pieces won’t cook evenly, and they definitely won’t get crispy on the outside.
- Preheat the air fryer. This goes for anything that you want to cook. You need to preheat the air fryer so that whatever you are adding will begin cooking at the correct temperature.
- Cut salmon bites into the same sized pieces. If they are all different shapes and sizes, the salmon bites won’t cook evenly. Be sure to take the time to cut them into roughly ¾” – 1” pieces.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: to reheat in the air fryer, wrap the salmon in foil and heat in a 350 degree air fryer for just a few minutes.
More You’ll Love
These air fryer salmon bites are packed with protein and totally delicious. They take just 15 minutes to make, but have the perfect crispy outside and tender inside with a sweet and salty brown sugar glaze.
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Salmon Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon, (about 3 large filets)
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Pat your salmon dry with a paper towel. Cut your boneless, skinless salmon filets into 3/4" -1" cubes. Add the avocado oil and stir to coat.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the rub onto the salmon and stir to coat each salmon bite evenly. Let the salmon sit for about 10 minutes before cooking.
- Place the salmon in the preheated air fryer, giving each piece of salmon a little space on all sides. If they don't all fit, cook them in batches. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer, transfer to a bowl, and cover with aluminum foil while the rest of the salmon cooks. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Categories:
30-Minute Meals, Air Fryer, Dairy-Free, Easy Weeknight Meals, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Main Dish, Meal Prep, Nut-Free, Seafood,
