Air Fryer Salmon Bites
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When you need a wholesome, family-friendly dinner in a hurry, Air Fryer Salmon Bites is a great choice! They come together in minutes, and are easy for little hands to hold. This meal is like fish sticks for kids and grown ups!
This air fried salmon is one of those recipes that’s so easy, it almost feels like a kitchen shortcut. Just cube the salmon, toss it with oil and spices, and let the air fryer do the work. In under 15 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked salmon bites with a golden exterior and tender, flaky center.
The turmeric, ginger, paprika, and garlic powder give the fish a slightly smoky, earthy flavor that pairs well with salads, wraps, or a side of rice and veggies!
Why This Recipe is a Favorite
Parents, you know how precious time is, especially when it comes to cooking meals. You don’t want to spend time making something that your kids will refuse to eat!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
I can assure you that this meal only takes 10 minutes of prep, and about 7 minutes of air frying time. Even better, the spices are noticeable, but not overpowering or spicy, so kids love them!
The salmon bites are tasty as-is, but this recipe is versatile too! You can add them to wraps, serve them as game day appetizers with dipping sauce, or as a healthy after-school or lunch box meal.
This is actually one of the most popular of all of my healthy air fryer recipes!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my most important mom tested cooking tips for making salmon bites in your air fryer! I’ve made this countless times, to save you from a failed attempt.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Give the salmon space so it crisps evenly. You should work in batches if needed.
- Cut pieces evenly. Uniform 1-inch cubes help ensure everything cooks at the same rate.
- Watch the cook time. Salmon cooks quickly, so check for doneness around the 5-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
Ingredients
- Salmon: Fresh or frozen salmon are both good options. I prefer skinless salmon fillets. You can use any type of salmon you like, whether it’s wild-caught salmon, sockeye salmon, or other varieties.
- Turmeric: Adds warm, earthy flavor and gives the salmon a golden hue.
- Ground Ginger: Adds a warm, bright flavor that complements the richness of the salmon beautifully!
- Paprika: Adds a hint of sweetness and enhances the color. Use sweet paprika or smoked if you prefer. Hot paprika would also be great.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth of flavor and blends evenly with the other seasonings.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Black Pepper: Balances the richness of the fish and spices with just a little bite.
- Avocado Oil: Helps the spices adhere to the salmon chunks and promotes crisping in the air fryer. You can use another neutral high-heat oil if preferred.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap the oil. Olive oil or grapeseed oil are good alternatives to the avocado oil in this recipe.
Add a touch of heat. Toss in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for spicier salmon bites.
Try a different spice mix. Use Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or a blend of your choice for a new flavor profile.
Before you start cooking, be sure to check out my favorite air fryer accessories!
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Let’s make these Air Fryer Salmon Bites!
- Cut salmon into 1-inch pieces.
- Toss salmon in turmeric, ground ginger, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and avocado oil until coated. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place salmon bites in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 5–7 minutes, or until salmon is golden and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
FAQ
Yes, but if the salmon is frozen, make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning and cooking.
You could leave it on if you’d like, but I prefer it without! Skinless pieces are easier to cube and cook evenly.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or a skillet.
How to Serve
This air fryer salmon bites recipe is super versatile. Try it with:
- Grains or potatoes. Serve your salmon bites with a grain of choice, like this Instant Pot Jasmine rice, or with your favorite potato dish. We love these ranch potatoes.
- Salad. You can serve this salmon over salad greens with a simple vinaigrette, like this apple cider vinaigrette or this lemon vinaigrette.
- Vegetable sides. Pair with these roasted sweet potatoes and carrots for a complete meal!
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs salmon cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
- Cut salmon into 1 inch pieces.
- Toss salmon in spice mixture and avocado oil until coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, until internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
Notes
- Make sure there is space around the salmon pieces, cook in batches if needed.
- Uniform 1-inch cubes help ensure everything cooks at the same rate.
- Salmon cooks quickly, so check for doneness around the 5-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or a skillet.
