These air fryer salmon bites are a fast and flavorful way to cook fish. Cubes of salmon are coated in a simple spice rub and cooked until flaky and tender in the air fryer.
This recipe comes together in about 15 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. The air fryer creates a nice texture on the outside of the salmon while keeping the inside moist.
Why is Air Fryer Salmon Bites a Must-Try?
The air fryer circulates hot air, cooking the salmon quickly and evenly on all sides.
A small amount of cornstarch in the spice rub helps create a light, crisp coating.
Cutting the salmon into cubes ensures more surface area for the spices and faster cooking.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Ingredients
• Salmon: Center-cut salmon fillets work well because they are thicker and more uniform. You can buy it skinless or remove the skin yourself.
• Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the spices. Dark brown sugar can be used for a deeper molasses flavor.
• Smoked Paprika: This spice is key for the smoky flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use a little more regular paprika, but the taste will be different.
• Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil is a good choice. Olive oil also works well.
• Cornstarch: This helps the spices adhere to the fish and creates a slightly crisp exterior.
Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
If your salmon has skin, remove it. Pat the fillet very dry with paper towels to help it brown. Cut the salmon into uniform 1- to 1.5-inch cubes.
Step 2: Make the Spice Rub
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and chili powder. Stir until everything is well mixed.
Step 3: Season and Cook
Place the salmon cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle the spice mixture over the top. Gently toss until the salmon is evenly coated. Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until flaky.
Expert Tips for Air Fryer Salmon Bites
The exact cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon cubes and your specific air fryer model.
For food safety, fish should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
For a less sweet version, you can reduce the brown sugar to 1 or 2 teaspoons.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon Bites?
Serve these salmon bites with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or on top of a fresh salad.
How to Store and Freeze Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. We do not recommend freezing the cooked salmon as it can affect the texture.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
It is best to thaw frozen salmon completely before using it in this recipe. Pat it very dry to help the spices and oil adhere properly.
Do I need to flip the salmon bites halfway through cooking?
For most air fryers, it is not necessary to flip the salmon bites. The hot air circulation cooks them evenly. If you have a model that tends to have hot spots, you can shake the basket halfway through.
Can I cook a whole salmon fillet instead of cubes?
Yes, you can. A 6-ounce fillet will need about 7-9 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Adjust the time based on the thickness of your fillet and check for doneness with a fork.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet skinless, 450 g
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar packed, 15 g
- 2 tsp olive oil or avocado oil 10 ml
- 1 tsp cornstarch 3 g
- 1 tsp paprika 2 g
- 1 tsp smoked paprika 2 g
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 g
- 1/2 tsp onion powder 1 g
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt 4 g
- 1/4 tsp chili powder 0.5 g
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Cut it into 1- to 1.5-inch (2.5 to 4 cm) cubes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and chili powder.
- Place the salmon cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then sprinkle the spice mixture over them.
- Gently toss with a spatula until the salmon is evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if your model requires it.
- Arrange the salmon cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, until the outside is lightly browned and the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- For safety, ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) on a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a cube.
Notes
