Ready in 15 minutes, these juicy, flaky, and flavorful air fryer salmon bites are the perfect foolproof appetizer or salad topper for your busiest days. Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a deliciously crispy texture while keeping the inside moist and delicious.

For more salmon goodness, you can toss these fish bites into my chopped salmon salad, or try something different and make this delicious grilled salmon with avocado salsa.

 

I’m really starting to love making bite-sized pieces of salmon in the air fryer. Usually, I whip up some air fryer salmon, cut it up, and toss it into salads, rice bowls, or poke bowls. However, there’s something about these little seasoned nuggets of goodness that makes my dishes that much better, and they’re ready to go without any extra prep! Plus, they’re perfect for meal prep—just make a batch and use them throughout the week.

I can’t recommend these easy salmon bites enough. They are quick to make and come out perfectly delicious every time. The salmon is tender, juicy, and flaky, thanks to the air fryer, and packed with fatty acids for a healthy boost. The seasoning is simply amazing! With savory, smoky notes from the cumin and smoked paprika and a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar, these bites are totally addictive!

Recipe Ingredients

To make this air fryer salmon bites recipe, here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll want to grab on your next trip to the grocery store. For the complete recipe, please scroll to the recipe card further down the page.

• Salmon: You can use fresh salmon or frozen salmon, but you’ll want to thaw it first, remove the skin, and cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes. If possible, grab skinless salmon fillets.
• Seasoning mix: For the most flavorful salmon filets, I combine a mix of brown sugar, mustard powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper.
• Olive oil – The oil helps the seasoning stick to the salmon and crisp up the fish in the air fryer. Avocado oil is a good substitute due to its high smoke point and mild flavor.

How to Cook Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer

Following these simple steps, you’ll make the most perfectly seasoned and crispy salmon bites. This quick and easy method will have you enjoying a delicious, healthy meal in no time!

1. Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Using a sharp knife, cut the salmon fillet into 1-inch pieces.
2. Season the salmon. Whisk together the seasoning mix ingredients and toss the salmon cubes with olive oil and the seasoning.
3. Air fry. Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If the salmon isn’t done to your liking, add 1 to 2 extra minutes.
4. Serve. Remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and serve them with honey mustard sauce or this roasted garlic aioli. Sometimes, I simply add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime juice, and pop them like candy!

What To Serve With Salmon Bites

One of my favorite ways to serve these bites is with a simple dipping sauce or homemade ranch dressing, but they are also a fantastic addition to your favorite salad, rice, or pasta. When I’m in the mood for an Asian twist, I love serving these salmon bites in a rice bowl with diced avocado, a boiled egg, and a drizzle of sesame oil and teriyaki sauce.

Scatter a handful of salmon pieces over my lemon kale Caesar salad, make salmon bowls, or add it as a main course to my Instant Pot Jasmine rice or creamy lemon pasta.

You could also serve the air fried salmon bites alongside other air fryer recipes, like crispy air fryer potatoes, or create an appetizer spread with air fryer crab rangoon and air fryer avocado fries.

How to Store Leftovers

• To store. Allow the salmon bites to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container and storing them in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• To reheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, arrange the salmon bites in the basket of the air fryer, and cook for 3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

More Salmon Recipes to Try

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on a salmon kick. Here are some of my other absolute favorite salmon-centric recipes for you to try out.

• Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa
• Salmon Burgers
• Salmon Patties
• Salmon in Sundried Tomato Sauce
• Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon Skewers