Succulent and flavorful, Air Fryer Salmon Bites are served with a miso ginger dipping sauce and ready in about 15 minutes! Perfect for appetizers, bowls, salads, and snacks! Gluten-free.
With minimal prep, these Salmon Bites couldn’t be much easier. Toss in a dry rubbed with common pantry spices that quickly coat the salmon with lots of flavor, no need for a marinade. We popped them into our air fryer for just a few minutes. The key here is not to overcook -salmon cooks so fast! We add a little heat to the spice mix, it is your choice to spice it up more or just leave it out. The miso ginger sauce is simple to mix up and is the perfect creamy complement.
These tasty little air fryer salmon nuggets are perfect as an easy appetizer on their own or add some delicious protein to rice bowls, salads and slaws, tacos, over stir-fried vegetables, or roasted veggies. There are so many possibilities! Want to include more salmon in your diet? Check out these 25+ Amazing Salmon Recipes!
Table of Contents
Our Favorite Air Fryers
- Go Wise USA 8 Quart Air Fryer – large basket, great for big batches, 8 settings, affordable.
- Cuisinart Air Fryer or the Breville Air Fryer – toaster oven style air fryers, good for big families, multi-use.
- Ultrean 4.2 Quart -white, small and cute- perfect for 1-2 people.
Why You’ll Love Salmon Bites!
This air fryer salmon bite recipe is a delicious and healthy snack that you’ll be sure to love. Here are a few reasons why:
- Quick and easy to make: This recipe for salmon bites is straightforward and comes together fast! A convenient option for a last-minute appetizer or quick lunch.
- So Healthy: Salmon is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and selenium. Salmon is known for its high omega-3 and essential fatty acids content, which is beneficial for heart health and brain function.
- Versatile and flavorful: Salmon bites can be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, allowing you to experiment and create different flavor combinations to suit your taste preferences.
- Great source of protein: Salmon is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. Adding salmon bites to your diet can help you meet your daily protein requirements.
Salmon BiteS Ingredient Notes
- Salmon Fillets: Most wild-caught salmon will do, Coho or sockeye are great. King salmon will yeild a richer and crisper bite. Thaw frozen salmon fillets before using.
- Asian Spice Blend: A combination of 5-spice, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, ginger, and cayenne.
- Mayo: This creates the base for the sauce. Use your favorite mayo or try making homemade mayo. You can also use this vegan mayonnaise recipe.
- Sesame oil: Adds a toasty deep nutty flavor to the dish.
- Maple syrup: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance out the sauce. Coconut sugar would be good too or brown sugar.
- Miso: Adds delicious umami depth to the sauce. You can substitute with soy sauce or coconut aminos if desired.
- Garnish: Scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Instructions
STEP ONE– Pat the salmon filets with a paper towel to soak up any moisture. With a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch chunks.
STEP TWO- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sesame oil, maple syrup, salt, miso, and ginger until fully combined. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
STEP THREE- Mix together 5-spice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, and sugar in a bowl. Toss salmon cubes in the spice mix gently stirring, until fully coated.
STEP FOUR- Preheat the air fryer to 400F degrees. Arrange salmon on the rack or in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each piece. (Do this in two batches if needed.) Spraying on a little olive oil will help them crisp up a bit- this is totally optional.
STEP FIVE- Bake in the air fryer for 3 minutes. Turn the salmon pieces and cook for about 2 minutes more, depending on how thick your salmon chunks are. The internal temperature should be about 125F degrees. It continues to cook as it cools. Try not to overcook!
Salmon Bites FAQS
Your choice here but you don’t need to remove the skin. After it is cooked, it easily peels off, so those who don’t prefer it can discard it.
Thaw the frozen salmon fillets before using them in this recipe. This ensures that the salmon cooks evenly and retains its moisture.
If you’re not a fan of mayo, you can try using Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute. These options will still provide a creamy texture to the sauce.
Yes, place on a wire rack and use the convection setting if you have it.
WAYS to SErve Salmon Bites
- Create an Appetizer Platter: Arrange the salmon bites on a platter with toothpicks and serve them as an appetizer at parties or gatherings. Pair them with the miso ginger dipping sauce and garnish with chopped scallions, fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.
- Make Asian Salmon Bowls: Create a nourishing and satisfying meal by serving the salmon bites over a bed of cooked quinoa or rice. Add cucumber slices (or make this easy Asian Cucumber Salad), shredded carrots, and avocado. Drizzle the miso ginger sauce on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra crunch.
- Add to Salads or make Salmon Slaw: Toss the salmon bites with crunchy Asian slaw, which adds a refreshing element to the dish. The combination of textures and flavors works perfectly together.
- Salmon Tacos: Fill warm tortillas with the air fryer salmon bites and top them with sliced avocado, shredded lettuce or cabbage, and pickled onions. Miso ginger sauce can be used as a creamy taco sauce, along with sriracha and cilantro.
- Stir-fried Vegetables: Serve the salmon bites alongside stir-fried vegetables for a healthy and balanced meal. Sauté veggies such as: bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots in a hot pan with a little oil and soy sauce. Place the salmon bites on top and drizzle with the miso ginger sauce before serving.
- Roasted Veggies: Pair the salmon bites with a side of roasted vegetables for a simple and flavorful combination. Roast vegetables like sweet potatoes, broccoli, and shiitake mushrooms in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are golden and tender. Serve the salmon bites on top and enjoy!
Drizzle lavously with the Miso Ginger sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and sriracha, if desired!
More Recipes You May Enjoy
I hope you enjoy this air fryer salmon bites recipe!
Love this recipe? Please let us know in the comments and leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below the recipe card.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Succulent and flavorful these air fryer Salmon Bites are served with a miso ginger dipping sauce and ready in about 15 minutes! Perfect for appetizers, rice bowls, salads, and snacks!
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 pound salmon fillets, fully thawed- choose fillets that are even in thickness. Skin on or off, your choice (see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon 5-spice
- 1/4– 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 –1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- spray oil (optional)
For the Miso Ginger Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon miso
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sesame oil, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, miso, and ginger until fully combined. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
- Mix together 5-spice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, and sugar in a bowl.
- Pat the salmon fillets with a paper towel to soak up any moisture. Cut into 24 x 1-inch bite-sized pieces and toss in the spice mix gently stirring, until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F degrees. Arrange salmon on the rack with a little space between each piece. (Do this in two batches if needed.) Spraying on a little olive oil will help them crisp up a bit- this is totally optional.
- Air fry for 3 minutes. Turn the salmon pieces and cook for 2 minutes more, depending on how thick your salmon pieces are. The internal temperature should be about 125F degrees. It continues to cook as it cools. Try not to overcook!
- Serve with a mini forks as an appetizer or over rice for a meal.
Notes
If you’re not a fan of mayo, you can try using Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute.
No need to remove the skin but this is your choice. It is perfectly edible and full of nutrients. After it is cooked, it easily peels off, so those who don’t prefer it can discard it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 salmon bites
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 369.3 mg
- Fat: 10.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 17.1 g
- Cholesterol: 42.9 mg
Delicious!!!! The Miso shouldn’t be skipped, Umami! This is a fun dish to eat, little bites, little fork, a little crispy. Sauce and the spice rub are excellent and complimentary
Thanks Sylvie and Tonia!!!
We’re so happy you enjoyed this Matrissa! Thanks for circling back and rating it for us.
Incredibly easy, quick and delicious.
Made the sauce in the time it took for the salmon to cook.
Perfect! Thanks for rating!
Hi Sylvia, do you think these would work well to bring to a pot luck dinner? If yes, how to best reheat? Or serve room temp? Thanks!
Hi John, Reheating these will over cook them and the texture will be chewy and dry. I think they will work at room temperature, I would make them close as to your dinner as possible.
I made this recipe again but as a main dish rather than bites. I cut the salmon into 2x4ish” pieces. I used the convection setting in my oven and roasted according to the recipe, testing temp with a probe thermometer. I broiled the salmon for 2-3 minutes at the end. It was delicious!
This is great to know Judy! So glad it worked out.
Another delicious recipe – salmon was so easy to make, and the sauce was absolutely delicious. Used it in a rice bowl with sauteed mushrooms, fresh carrots, cucumbers and scallions. The best!!
Thanks Linda, so glad you enjoyed!
I don’t have an air fryer. Can I use a toaster oven?
Hi Judy! I bet that would work! Do you have convection setting?
I have convection in my wall oven but not my toaster oven.
Hummm… my hunch is convection would make it crispier but I have not tried it.
What air fryer do you recommend?
I believe Tonia uses the Cuisinart. I linked it in the post.
Looks delicious! Any recommendations for quality air fryers?
Hi Monica- we added our 3 favorite air fryers at the top of the post!
What air fryer do you recommend?
Hi Meredith, scroll to the top of the top- we added our 3 favorites!
Made this last night as part of the Asian salmon bowls. It was delicious and filling. The salmon was so tender. It was a big hit!
So glad to hear this Melissa!
Could this recipe be done in the oven and if so at what temperature?
Thanks so much!
I love your recipes and insights
Carole, I have not yet tried them in the oven. Do you have a convection setting? I would do on the upper half of a well-preheated oven at 425F convection. They will probably take about 4-7 minutes.
Made these tonight with some broiled asparagus. It was excellent, but even for this well known sodium addict, it was a bit salty. Recommend adjusting salt quantity down. Otherwise, great recipe!
Oh good to know Elizabeth, I will note the recipe. Thanks!
Wow, this looks AMAZING, Tonya! The photos are stunning too! ❤️❤️ Going to make these for my kiddos this weekend. Thank you for sharing your recipe. 💖
Thanks Suwanee! 🙂
I so want to try this. They look delicious, but I don’t have an air fryer. would putting them under a broiler or fry them in a pan work?
Hi Regan, Pan searing would work!
Could firm Tofu be substituted for the salmon? If so, how long would cooking be in air fryer please?
Love all your recipes.
Love this idea Bev! I haven’t tried it yet, just guessing here but I would press the tofu a little and cook at 400 for 5 minutes, toss around a bit and cook 5 more minutes or until they seem crisp.
These sound amazing!! Of course, I don’t have an air fryer. Maybe a convection toaster oven will get me most of the way there.
I think that should work, just get it good and preheated first.