The BEST Air Fryer Salmon Bites (Less than 10 minutes!)
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Whether you are new to salmon or have been eating it for years, these air fryer salmon bites are going to rock your taste buds! Done in just 10 minutes or less, they turn out perfectly seasoned and caramelized in the air fryer every time. And these air fried salmon bites are so versatile! You can use them in tacos, on salads, in wraps, or in rice bowls.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love air fryer salmon bites
Quick to make – This is a 10 minute or less salmon bites recipe you can’t beat!
Easy cleanup – Because this recipe uses the air fryer, cleanup is quick and easy with no splatter from oil or frying pans to clean!
Bite Size – Call them what you want for the kids (salmon nuggets sounds good!), but the bite sized chunks of salmon are fun and easy to eat for any age.
Perfect every time – Air fried salmon bites have more room for seasoning and caramelization on every side since there are more surfaces! Plus this recipe cooks them to a perfect Medium doneness.
Healthy – Salmon is already touted as a great healthy fish due to its healthy fats and protein levels. But using an air fryer also makes it healthier than if you deep fried it or sauteed it in oil.
Love fish? Try these yummy fish recipes : Salmon Tray bake with Asparagus, Perfect Pan Fried Cod Recipe or Prawn and Chorizo Pasta
Preparing Salmon to be Air Fried
Here are some helpful tips for choosing and working with salmon before making these salmon air fryer bites.
Should you thaw frozen salmon?
For this particular recipe, thawing the salmon is ideal so it is easier to cut into chunks. You can thaw salmon by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw it by placing the salmon into a sealed plastic bag and submerging it in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. If the fish has not thawed after 30 minutes, pour out the water from the bowl and replace it with more cold water.
How to know if salmon is bad?
Here are some of the things to look for when buying fresh salmon:
- Salmon should have little to no fishy smell. It should smell like the ocean, not a dead fish.
- When you press your finger into it, it should bounce back immediately. If your finger indentation stays, the fish is old.
- It should be a nice pink or red color and look moist. If it looks pale, dry, sticky, or discolored don’t buy it.
Should you buy skin on or skinless salmon?
For this particular air fry salmon recipe I prefer to purchase skinless salmon. It just makes it easier to cut into cubes. However if all you can find is skin-on salmon, that is fine too but I recommend removing the skin with a very sharp filet knife before air frying.
How to cut salmon for air fryer bites?
Salmon is easy to cut due to its tender meat. To cut the salmon into bites, simply use a sharp knife to cut slices that are about 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick. Then cut the slices you just made in the opposite direction every 2.5 cm (1 inch) so you get a nice cube.
Ingredients
Variations/ Adaptations
Here are some of the seasoning variations you can create for these salmon air fryer bites:
- Blackened seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Teriyaki glaze
- Asian flavors
- Garlic lemon butter
You could also use a different fish like steelhead trout, king mackerel, bluefish, and swordfish
How to make air fryer salmon bites
- Gently remove the skin of the salmon fillet, being conscious to reduce waste and try and cut as closely to the skin as possible. Once removed, slice into chunks (Image 1).
- Add the salmon bites into a bowl and coat with rapeseed oil, the spices, seasoning and salt and pepper (Image 2).
3. Gently stir to ensure the spices are fully incorporated (Image 3).
4. Then evenly distribute the salmon pieces across the airfryer basket, ensuring there is space between them to prevent steaming (Image 4).
5. Evenly distribute the salmon pieces across the airfryer basket, ensuring there is space between them to prevent steaming. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of your salmon chunks (Image 5).
6. Remove from airfryer and serve with an optional squeeze of lemon juice and dig in! (Image 6).
What other recipes can I serve with these salmon bites? Try my ; The Crispiest Halloumi Fries, The Best Roasted Parsnips and Simple Cod Curry
Tips for the best results
- Preheat your air fryer to make sure the salmon bites get nice and crispy.
- Shake the basket halfway through in order to make sure the salmon bits caramelize on all sides.
- Choose Chinook, Sockeye, Coho or Atlantic Salmon for best taste and highest nutrition levels.
Here are some other easy airfryer recipes, to give you inspiration;
- Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
- Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Serving Suggestions
There are many fantastic ways you can use salmon bites for an easy weeknight dinner. Air fried salmon bowls are easy to put together with just a few other ingredients like brown rice and vegetables.
Air fried salmon tacos are something I would definitely order from a restaurant menu. Add some pico de gallo, some cilantro lime slaw, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo for the perfect Mexican craving fix.
There are some days I just pull the leftovers out of the fridge and eat them as a high protein snack after a workout. But you could also make a fun appetizer by putting them on a skewer with some grilled veggies in between
An easy main dish is salmon over fried rice and an easy lunch is to put those delicious bites into a tortilla wrap with lettuce, a drizzle of hot honey, or a creamy dressing.
No airfryer? Pop the bites under the grill/broiler for 3-4 minutes then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes.
Here are some easy side dishes to serve with the salmon bites: Airfryer Frozen Fries, Airfryer Hash Browns or Frozen Roast Potatoes.
If you love mashed potatoes, try my : Easy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions
If you have any leftovers, I would be very surprised! But to store them, place the salmon bites in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze, place them in an airtight container and freeze in a normal upright freezer for up to 3 months or in a deep freezer for up to 1 year
To reheat leftover salmon bites, I recommend using the air fryer for best results. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350℉ (177℃ ) and cook the cold salmon bites 3-5 minutes or until heated through. If heating from frozen, add 1-2 minutes to the reheat time.
Salmon Nutritional Benefits Salmon is well known for its health benefits. Things like healthy fats (omega 3 fatty acids) help with heart and brain health. High protein is good for weight loss, muscle growth, and blood sugar stability. And vitamins are essential for all humans to help the body function efficiently. All of which make this fish a great choice for when you want to eat healthy.
FAQs
If your salmon is sticking to the basket, try coating the basket with a thin layer of oil before adding the salmon.
When making salmon bites in the air fryer, it is a good idea to either shake the basket or flip the bites halfway through the cooking time.
It is okay to leave the skin on when cooking salmon, however when making salmon bites in the air fryer I recommend removing the skin. It creates a better texture and taste for the bites.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 2 fillets of salmon (£3.79)
- Optional lemon wedge to serve (£0.30)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper
Method
- Gently remove the skin of the salmon fillet, being conscious to reduce waste and try and cut as closely to the skin as possible. Once removed, slice into chunks.
- Add the salmon bites into a bowl and coat with rapeseed oil, the spices, seasoning and salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine.
- Evenly distribute the salmon pieces across the airfryer basket, ensuring there is space between them to prevent steaming. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of your salmon chunks.
- Serve with an optional squeeze of lemon juice and dig in!
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer to make sure the salmon bites get nice and crispy.
- Shake the basket halfway through in order to make sure the salmon bits caramelise on all sides.
- Choose wild or Atlantic Salmon for best taste and highest nutrition levels.
Nutrition
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