Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Air Fryer Salmon Bites are probably my favorite thing to make in the air fryer. These delicious morsels cook so well in the air fryer, with perfect crispy edges, while staying juicy in the middle. Dress them up with any sauce you like for additional flavor.

Salmon is a great appetizer to serve at a gathering because it fits within a lot of people’s dietary restrictions. It’s gluten free, dairy free, and low carb. It’s also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. How can you go wrong?

I like to make air fryer salmon bites with teriyaki sauce or honey sriracha sauce. Both add a special sweetness to the salmon and once they’re air fried, they get a little bit of caramelization on the edges and are just divine.

Ingredients You Need

• Salmon – One pound of salmon will serve about 6 people if you’re serving these bites alongside a few other appetizers. Increase amount for a more robust portion. The salmon should be skinned and cut into square 1-inch cubes.
• Spray cooking oil – If you have a cooking spray, lightly spray it on the salmon to give it a nice glaze on the outside. You can also brush with olive oil, if you don’t have spray.
• Garnishes – To garnish the salmon, sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
• Optional Sauce or Rub – I like to use teriyaki sauce or honey sriracha sauce. Other options are for seasoning include Cajun seasoning or a tasty dry rub.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Put the salmon in a medium bowl. Pour on any marinade or sauce, or sprinkle on any seasoning you wish to cook the salmon in and toss to coat.

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to give the salmon time to soak up some of the flavors and aromas from the marinade or rub. If you don’t have time to marinate it, you can cook it right away.

If you don’t want to add any sauce or seasoning, skip this step.

Preheat the air fryer on 400°F. Doing this will ensure the salmon gets a nice char/sear without overcooking it. If you put it into a cold air fryer, it will cook mostly through before char starts to form.

Spray the basket lightly with cooking oil and place the salmon into the air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the salmon lightly with cooking oil. If you didn’t marinate or season the salmon, sprinkle on some salt and pepper.

Cook the salmon for about 6 minutes, flipping the pieces over carefully at the halfway point. If your air fryer cooks hot, you’ll want to check on them a few times during cooking to make sure you don’t overcook them. When done, the salmon should have developed some char and crispy edges. Don’t overcook it hoping to get more char. It’s better to have properly cooked salmon than to get the char.

Carefully remove the salmon from the basket with tongs and place them on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. If serving as finger food, place toothpicks near the salmon or serve it with tongs.

Possible Substitutes

• There are many brands of teriyaki sauce, just find one you like that is thick like a marinade. I suggest Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet Teriyaki. You can also make your own teriyaki with soy sauce, honey, and lemon juice.
• Serve with red pepper flakes as a garnish to add additional heat to the dish.
• If you have vegetarians, you might cook some tofu in the same marinade. It’s also delicious.

Tips and Notes

• If you are using frozen salmon, you don’t need to thaw it before putting it in the marinade or in the air fryer. You will need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if it’s frozen, however.
• Space out the salmon bites as much as possible in the basket to avoid overcrowding. This will ensure that each piece gets a little bit of caramelization on all sides.
• You will have more char on salmon that has been marinated because of the sugar content of the teriyaki sauce.
• The cooking time will be less if your salmon is thin or in smaller chunks. In this case, to avoid overcooking, check the salmon after 4 minutes. It’s best to use a meat thermometer to make sure you’ve reached the correct internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
• Serve with a delicious Bang Bang Sauce or Yum Yum sauce for dipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salmon recipe ahead of time? 

You can marinate the fish up to a day ahead of time, but I suggest air frying the salmon right before serving it for the best outcome. You can reheat the salmon by air frying it again, if necessary. Just be careful. You don’t want to overcook the salmon or it will be dry.

What goes well with salmon bites? 

We serve these salmon bites a lot of different ways. You can serve them alone as an appetizer or with side dishes as a full meal. They go well with veggies like this Corn Ribs and Broccoli. Serve them with Air Fryer Garlic Bread and S’mores for a complete meal. Need other ideas? See our Quick & Easy Air Fryer Snacks suggestions.

Other Air Fryer Salmon Recipes to Try

• Easy Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
• Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

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