For a quick and easy dinner, try these tasty Air Fryer Salmon Bites. The salmon is cut into cubes and then coated in olive oil and salmon seasoning before being cooked to perfection in the air fryer. A delicious family dinner that can be prepared and cooked in minutes.
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I love using my air fryer to cook fish, with this recipe you get crispy salmon bites and perfectly cooked tender salmon every time. The trick is to get the air fryer nice and hot before you start cooking.
Salmon is a nutrient rich fish, full of omega-3 fatty acids and we all need to be including more oily fish into our weekly diets. I like to add an extra layer of flavor to these crispy air fryer salmon bites by coating the salmon in my delicious Homemade Salmon Seasoning, but feel free to add your favorite blend of seasoning.
The air fryer cooks salmon perfectly, so be sure to try my Marinated Air Fryer Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon Patties and Easy Teriyaki Salmon recipes too!
Ingredients
Here's what you will need to make the recipe:
- Salmon - skin removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Olive oil
- Salmon seasoning - or seasoning of choice.
How to make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
In a mixing bowl, place the 1-inch salmon pieces. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and toss, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
Sprinkle the salmon seasoning over the oiled salmon pieces. Toss the salmon to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
Arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there's space between each piece for proper air circulation.
Air fry the salmon bites for about 5-7 minutes or until they are cooked through and have a slightly crispy exterior.
Once done, carefully remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and serve immediately. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce.
Expert Tips
These tips will help you make the best air fryer salmon bites you've ever tried.
- If time allows, coat the salmon in the oil and salmon seasoning, then set aside to marinate for 20-30 minutes to intensify the flavor.
- Always set the salmon bites out in a single layer, with space around each cube of salmon. This will ensure the salmon fries, rather than steams in the air fryer basket.
- Your salmon is done if the thickest part of the fillet flakes easily with a fork. When in doubt, check the temperature with a quick read thermometer. The USDA recommends the internal temperature for cooked salmon should reach 145°F.
- Depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets, the cooking time may vary. Decrease the cooking time for thinner fillets.
- Salmon bites are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer.
Flavor variations!
This recipe is really easily adapted to include other flavors. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- I prefer to use fresh salmon fillets, but you can use frozen if you have those to hand. If you have thinner fillets, the cooking time will need to be reduced. If using frozen, thaw the fillets thoroughly before marinating and cooking.
- Swap olive oil for another light flavored oil like avocado or sunflower oil.
- I've used my own Salmon Seasoning, but you can use any other dry seasoning mix, or a blend of your favorite spices to season the salmon.
How to serve Air Fryer Salmon Bites
I've kept things simple and served these easy salmon bites with some steamed white rice and a side of steamed broccoli. You could scatter over some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or thyme, and add a wedge of fresh lemon so everyone can squeeze some fresh zesty flavor over the fish.
Salmon bites work well with a potato based slides like these Air Fried Baked Sweet Potatoes or my Creamy Dill Potato Salad. I also like to serve some fresh vegetable sides like this Fresh Corn Salad, or Collard Green Salad, or my Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
These salmon bites also make a great appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. They can also serve as a protein addition to salads or bowls.
How to store
To refrigerate: These salmon bites are best consumed immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
FAQs
To make these salmon bites I preheat my air fryer to 400°F (204°C), getting it nice and hot so that the outside of the salmon sears, whilst cooking the inside to tender perfection.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) then cook the salmon bites for 5-7 minutes. The length of the cook will depend on the thickness of the salmon. Cook the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Start by ensuring you preheat the air fryer before adding the salmon, that means the outside will sear quickly and the inside will cook through quickly. The addition of olive oil not only cooks the salmon, but helps keep it moist.
Reheat the salmon bites in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking for desired temperature and crispiness.
If you don't have an air fryer, no problem. You can either pan fry the salmon bites in a non stick skillet. Alternatively, oven bake the salmon, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the salmon for 12 to 15 minutes.
If you have tried this air fryer salmon bites recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon skin removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon salmon seasoning or seasoning of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- In a mixing bowl, place the 1-inch salmon pieces. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and toss, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
- Sprinkle the salmon seasoning over the oiled salmon pieces. Toss the salmon to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
- Arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there's space between each piece for proper air circulation.
- Air fry the salmon bites for about 5-7 minutes or until they are cooked through and have a slightly crispy exterior.
- Once done, carefully remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and serve immediately. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce.
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Notes
- These salmon bites make a great appetizer but can also serve as a protein addition to salads or bowls. They are best consumed immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To reheat the salmon bites in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking for desired temperature and crispiness.
Betsy says
could this same method be used for catfish bites
Tanya says
Hi Betsy! Yes, this method will work for any kind of fish. You will need to adjust the cook time depenfing on the thickness of the fish.
Julia McCullough says
I used different seasoning but the method to cook was delicious! Thank you for giving me this idea. Will be making many times with various spices.
Tanya says
Thanks, Julia! So happy you liked the recipe. I love using all kinds of seasonings and marinades with this recipe.