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salmon bites on a plate with lime slices and fresh parsley surrounded by lemon slices

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These Air Fryer Salmon Bites are our new favorite way to make salmon and use them in all our recipes! They are perfect over salad, in bowls, served with rice, pasta, veggies and more! There's something about bite size food that's irresistible and as a bonus they cook much faster!
Course Air Fryer, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean, Mexican
Keyword air fryer salmon, air fryer salmon bites, how to air fry salmon, how to cook salmon, salmon, salmon bites, salmon recipes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Servings 2 peopele
Calories 339 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 2 salmon fillets cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 Tablespoons olive oil

Spice Blend

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder optional or to taste

Garnish

  • 1 tabelspoon cilantro or parsley
  • 1 lemon sliced

Instructions

  1. Use your favorite spice blend. We have  paprika, granulated onion and garlic, oregano, brown sugar, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Mix those well and add them to the bowl of cut up salmon bites along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
    A hand holding the spice blend in a small plate ready to mix it and add it to the salmon bowl
  2. The salmon is now spiced and ready. You can leave the spices in the salmon for 30 minutes, or cook right away.
    A bowl with 1 inch cut up salmon bites tossed in the spice mixture and olive oil and read to cook
  3. Add the salmon into the basket of your air fryer. We prefer basket type air fryers over toaster types. The most important thing when cooking salmon in the air fryer is to make sure they're in a single layer.
    The salmon bites added to the air fryer basket in a single layer
  4. Air fry the salmon bites at 400 degrees F for about 7-8 minutes. Depending on the size of your salmon, you may cook it 2 minutes more or less. On average they take 7 minutes when cut up into 1 inch size pieces.
    Golden cooked and crisp salmon bites in the air fryer basket ready in 7 minutes
  5. When ready, just serve the salmon bites on a plate and garnish with cilantro, more chilli flakes and lemon.
    salmon bites on a plate with lime slices and fresh parsley surrounded by lemon slices
  6. SO GOOD!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Pro Tips For Salmon Bites 

    1. Use your favorite type of salmon for this recipe, we used Sockeye Salmon.
    2. It's best if you defrost frozen salmon, you can do so overnight in the fridge. Likewise you can thaw it over the counter for a couple of hours.
    3. Season your salmon bites with your favorite seasoning blend, like taco seasoning italian seasoning , Greek etc. You can make your own as well as we did here.
    4. Oil makes the seasoning stick more on to the salmon, so be sure to add a spray or a tablespoon at least.
    5. Have your salmon bites spread in a single layer for optimal cooking in the air fryer.
    6. Depending on the size of your salmon, you may need to cook them for 6-8 minutes.
    7. As with all Air Frye Recipes, it's best to shake the basket halfway for even cooking.
    8. Leftovers: they keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and make a great lunch the next day over salad.
    9. To Reheat: Air fry the salmon bites at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes. They taste just as fresh!
    10. To Freeze: Freeze the cooked and cooled salmon bites in a single layer covered tightly. To reheat, it's best you thaw first and reheat as above.
    11. You can use these as an appetizer or turn it into a complete meal, it's so verrsatile!

    Salmon Bites Variations 

    • Honey Garlic Salmon Bites:Soy sauce, garlic, honey, and sesame oil.
    • Spicy Chili Salmon Bites: Add chili flakes or sriracha, or Chili Oil Recipe
    • Mediterranean Salmon Bites: Olive oil, garlic, oregano, lemon.
    • Teriyaki Salmon Bites: Use teriyaki glaze, fresh ginger and sesame seeds.
    • Lemon Herb Salmon Bites:Fresh dill, parsley, lemon zest.
    • Hot Honey Salmon: Hot Honey Recipe, olive oil, seasoning

    Salmon bites came out dry

    This usually happens when cubes are too small, cooking time is too long or temperature is too high. To avoid this, cook slightly larger cubes and reduce time by 1–2 minutes.

    Salmon sticking to the air fryer basket

    This happens when the basket was not greased. To avoid this, lightly oil the basket or use parchment liners made for air fryers.

    Salmon bites cooked unevenly

    If the basket was overcrowded, chances are the salmon bites won't cook evenly. To avoid this, cook in batches so hot air can circulate properly.

    Salmon not browning

    Too much moisture on the fish will prevent even browning, so it's best to always pat salmon dry before seasoning.

    Can I use Frozen Salmon?

    While you can air fry frozen salmon by adjusting the time. Adding 2-3 minutes more for the bites will work. We do however prefer thawed frozen fish for this recipe. 

    What to Serve with Salmon Bites

    How long do salmon bites cook in the air fryer?

    Most salmon bites cook in 6–8 minutes at 400°F.

    Can salmon bites be made from frozen salmon?

    Yes, but thawing first helps them cook more evenly.

    What size should salmon bites be?

    About 1 to inches for even cooking.

    Are salmon bites healthy?

    Yes. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential nutrients.

    Why the Air Fryer Works So Well

    Salmon contains a high amount of natural omega-3 fats. When heated, those fats melt and keep the fish moist. So when you use an air fryer, this is what happens:

    • Rapid convection heat cooks the exterior quickly
    • Moisture evaporates from the surface
    • Ntural oils baste the interior of the fish

    This combination creates the ideal contrast: lightly crisp outside, silky and flaky inside. Because the pieces are small, the key is short cooking time and high heat.

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 339 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 677mg29%
Potassium 1001mg29%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 1166IU23%
Vitamin C 29mg35%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.