These Air Fryer Salmon Bites feature tender chunks of fresh salmon marinated in an Asian-inspired sauce and air-fried until caramelized and delicious! They make the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• 🔪 How to Make Salmon in the Air Fryer
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Crispy Salmon Bites
• 💡 Tips for Making Salmon in the Air Fryer
• 🔄 Salmon Bites Recipe Substitutions and Additions
• How Do You Keep Salmon From Sticking in the Air Fryer?
• Can I Cook Salmon Bites in the Oven?
• Can I Grill Salmon Bites?
• Will Other Types of Fish Work in This Recipe?
• Can I Skip the Marinating Time?
• 🍽️ More Air Fryer Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

• Tender chunks of fresh salmon
• Marinated in an Asian-inspired sauce
• Air fried until the edges are caramelized
• Quick and easy to make healthy dinner

This recipe for Asian-inspired air fryer bites is quick, easy, and bursting with a delicious combination of sweet and spicy flavors. What truly makes this dish extra special is how they cook to mouthwatering perfection effortlessly in the air fryer.

The tender chunks of salmon are marinated in a sugar-free sweet chili sauce, liquid aminos, and a few other simple ingredients. As the savory bites cook, they slightly caramelize, creating flavorful, crispy edges.

If you're looking for other salmon recipes that can be served as a tasty main course or a hearty and healthy appetizer, try these Bang Bang Salmon Cakes or this Easy Salmon Salad.

🛒 Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon Bites

• Salmon
• Sugar-free sweet chili sauce
• Liquid aminos or soy sauce, if you prefer
• Sriracha
• Toasted sesame oil
• Garlic

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Air fryer
• Large bowl
• Sharp knife

🔪 How to Make Salmon in the Air Fryer

Cut your salmon into bite-size pieces.

Place them in a food storage bag, then pour in the chili sauce, liquid (or coconut aminos), Sriracha, toasted sesame oil, and garlic.

Seal up the bag and allow the seasoned salmon bites to marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove the salmon from the marinade.

Add the marinated salmon bites to the basket, making sure they’re not overlapping.

Air fry for 5-8 minutes or until cooked through.  Cook times will depend on the thickness of your salmon.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days.  

Freezer: Technically, freezing leftover cooked salmon is safe, but it should be noted that the texture of reheated thawed salmon tends to become rubbery. If you’d like to freeze them, store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

Reheating: When ready to serve them again, reheat the thawed salmon bites in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are warm.

🍴 What to Serve with Crispy Salmon Bites

If you're serving them as an appetizer, consider serving a dipping sauce with them. This Bang Bang Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce or this Creamy Dill Sauce are all great options.

As a main course, you can serve them as fish tacos nestled in Homemade Tortillas with some of this Easy Coleslaw. You can add them to the top of a side salad with this Avocado Ranch Dressing or serve them in a rice bowl with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice.

Other awesome sides to consider:

• Shredded Brussels Sprouts
• Creamed Spinach
• Grilled Broccolini
• Green Beans Almondine
• Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

💡 Tips for Making Salmon in the Air Fryer

• Save some time and make less mess by buying skinless salmon fillets. Then, all you have to do is cut them into bites, and they're ready to marinate.

• To help create the caramelized exterior, make sure you start them in a fully preheated air fryer.

• Ensure they cook evenly by cutting the pieces as similar in size as you can. You also want to make sure you place them in a single layer in the basket.

• No shaking should be required. Because this recipe is for bite-sized pieces, you shouldn't have to shake the basket. If, for some reason, they are not cooking evenly, I suggest flipping them with a small spatula to prevent them from tearing apart.

• Because air fryer models cook differently, you'll want to check for doneness. To ensure the salmon bites are cooked through, use a fork to gently flake a piece. If it easily flakes and is opaque in the center, its done.

🔄 Salmon Bites Recipe Substitutions and Additions

• Citrus: Add a little zesty flavor with fresh lemon juice or lime juice added to the marinade.

• Sweet maple or honey glaze: Drizzle a touch of maple syrup or sugar-free honey into the marinade for a bit more sweetness.

• Other protein: Not a fan of salmon? You can make this recipe with shrimp or even bite-sized chicken pieces.  Make sure you cook it accordingly.

• Heat: For those who love things spicy, you can add a touch more Sriracha, some red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

• Garnishes: Add other fun toppings as a garnish. Sesame seeds or chopped dill, parsley, or cilantro are great choices.

How Do You Keep Salmon From Sticking in the Air Fryer?

Salmon has enough fat to keep the bites from sticking, especially if you're using a nonstick basket. If you have a stainless steel basket, consider rubbing or spraying the basket with a little olive or avocado oil.

Can I Cook Salmon Bites in the Oven?

If you don't have an air fryer, just place them in an even layer on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 12–15 minutes, or until the bites are cooked through.

Can I Grill Salmon Bites?

Yes, grilling is another option! Skewer the marinated salmon bites and grill them over medium heat until cooked through, typically 3–4 minutes per side. You can also use a grill basket to grill them.

Will Other Types of Fish Work in This Recipe?

Sure. While the recipe uses salmon, you can experiment with other firm-fleshed fish like cod, tilapia, or trout. You may have to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the fish.

Can I Skip the Marinating Time?

Marinating for an hour allows the flavors to infuse into the salmon. However, if you forget or if you're short on time, you can brush the marinade over the pieces. They won't have quite as much flavor, but they will still be tasty.

🍽️ More Air Fryer Recipes

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
• Jalapeño Poppers
• Pork Tenderloin
• Zucchini Fries
• Buffalo Wings