These easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites are made with simple ingredients that deliver flavorful results!
They are great on top of a salad, served with rice and vegetables, or dipped into the included Creamy Dill Sauce recipe. The choice is yours!
What do you do when you love salmon AND easy air fryer recipes? Well you make these crispy air fryer salmon bites of course!
The crispy edges are SO good, and I can't get enough! In fact, my whole family loves them. Yes, even the picky eater (we call them salmon "nuggets" and serve with ketchup).
Reasons to Love This Recipe:
- It's versatile. Whether you're looking for a high protein snack, an appetizer, or a main dish, these crispy salmon bites are here to save the day!
- It's easy. All you need are a few basic ingredients, an air fryer, and roughly 20 minutes.
- It's healthy. Salmon is full of omega 3 fatty acids, high in protein, and low in calories.
- It's flavorful. Simple seasonings, olive oil, and lemon juice highlight the natural flavors of salmon without overpowering it, and the air fryer makes the edges perfectly crispy.
Ingredients
- Salmon: You will need about 1 pound of skinless salmon filets. You will then cut them into 1 ½" cubes with a very sharp knife. If frozen, thaw beforehand.
- Olive oil: This gives a lovely flavor and helps the salmon to crisp up nicely. If you prefer, you can swap it out for avocado oil.
- Lemon juice: Either fresh-squeezed or bottled is fine!
- Seasonings: You'll need some garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and the quantities needed.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Step one: Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
Step two: Add the cubed salmon pieces and fold them in until they are well coated with the seasonings and olive oil.
Optional: Allow them to marinate for 5-10 minutes while you preheat the air fryer, clean up, etc.
Step three: Transfer the seasoned salmon bites to the air fryer basket in a single, even layer.
Step four: Cook at 400ºF (204ºC) for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are browned and crispy.
To ensure the salmon is cooked through, look for a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC).
Step five: Serve and enjoy with your choice of creamy sauce, or serve on top of a salad or rice bowl.
Creamy Dill Sauce Recipe
Salmon bites pair well with this jazzed up mayo-based sauce. Chances are, you probably have everything you need (you can use dried dill in a pinch).
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl. Stir together until smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or other ingredients to your taste.
- Serve immediately, or chill for 30-60 minutes for the best results.
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Cooked salmon keeps well for 3-4 days in the fridge, or can be frozen for 2-3 months for longer storage.
Meal prep: Allow to cool completely, then portion with cauliflower rice, veggies, etc. Transfer your meal prep container to the fridge where it should keep well for 2-3 days.
Top tip: I like to use any leftovers to make a salmon and rice bowl, or for adding to veggie-packed salads as a hearty and healthy lunch.
Variations
Teriyaki salmon bites: Toss the cooked salmon bites with warmed teriyaki sauce. Serve with chopped green onions and sesame seeds on a bed of rice (or cauliflower rice).
Salmon rice bowl: Flake the salmon bites with a fork. Add cooked white rice (or cauliflower rice), Japanese mayo (kewpie), sriracha, soy sauce (tamari, or coconut aminos) and mix well. Garnish with nori flakes and serve with fresh avocado slices.
Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets: Slice salmon filets into nugget-sized cubes and cook as directed in the recipe. Serve with ketchup, or a dipping sauce of your choice.
Substitutions
- Olive oil. If you don't have olive oil on hand you can use avocado oil, or any neutral flavored high heat oil. Sesame oil can be used for finishing, but it's not recommended for air frying.
- Lemon juice. This can be substituted for another acid like rice vinegar, lime juice, etc.
- Salmon. This recipe can be made with any sturdy fish or even cubed chicken breasts. Just be sure to scale the cooking time up or down depending on what you're using (more time for chicken, less time for certain types of fish).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the skin should be removed before slicing the salmon into cubes, as it is much easier to cut. If you purchased tips or pieces with the skin intact, or you prefer it with skin, you can leave it on to save time.
If you would like to turn the salmon bites halfway through the cooking time, you can absolutely do that. Fish, however, does flake easily, so if you are worried about your bites falling apart, it's better to let them cook without turning.
For most basket models, you don't need to use a liner unless you want to use it for easy clean-up. If using a toaster oven model, you should use parchment or liners to prevent dripping and build up inside of the air fryer.
Since the salmon needs to be cut into cubes I don't recommend using frozen salmon. If you have pre-cut salmon cubes that are frozen (and not sticking together) you can cook them for 12-15 minutes at 390ºF (199ºC).
If you loved this recipe for salmon bites in the air fryer, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Creamy Dill Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 salmon filets* cut into 1 ½" cubes (around 1-1 ½ pounds)
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to a medium-sized bowl and stir well to combine.
- Add the salmon cubes to the seasoned oil, and fold everything together until the salmon is completely coated.
- Optional: Allow the salmon to "marinate" for 5-15 minutes.
- Transfer the seasoned salmon pieces to the air fryer, spreading them out in an even, single layer.
- Cook for 9-12 minutes. Turn the salmon cubes gently halfway through if desired, but it's not necessary.
- Once the salmon bites have crispy edges and have a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC)**, remove the basket and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve with a sauce or side of your choice (I recommend the creamy dill sauce in the notes section).
Notes
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh chopped dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
Nutrition
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Kylie says
This recipe exceeded my expectations. I only had 2 small salmon filets so I halved the recipe and it was the perfect amount of flavor. I wasn’t going to make the dill sauce but had all the ingredients on hand and I’m so glad I did. I served the salmon over white rice and drizzled it all with the sauce. Absolutely delicious and so easy!
Dorothy Bigelow says
Sounds yummy! So glad you loved the recipe!