Calling all salmon lovers!! Air fryer salmon bites are a delicious and healthy meal option that's quick to prepare, easy to cook, low in calories and big on flavor. They make for a perfect easy weeknight dinner, light snack or appetizer. 0 WW Point recipe!
Easy air fryer salmon bites are a fantastic option for those looking to enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal without the added calories of deep frying. They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with savory flavors. Plus, they are ready in under 20 minutes, making them a perfect choice for a fast and easy dinner option.
For best results we cook the seasoned salmon bites on a slightly lower temperature to give them a slightly crispy texture on the outside but to keep them tender and moist inside. And they only take 6-8 minutes cook time! They are a delicious meal the whole family loves.
Pair them with your favorite salad or side dish and you've got a great dinner. Or use these tender salmon bites in other delicious salmon recipes like salmon tacos or salmon bowls.
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What makes this skinny?
- Air fryer cooking. The convection cooking of circulating hot air to give food a fried-type end result without actually frying in oil is a big calorie win! And it's a fast cooking method too.
- No added oil. We only use olive oil spray to get the seasonings to stick to the salmon. No oil needed to coat the salmon bites.
- Salmon and seasonings are the only ingredients!
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Skinless salmon fillet(s). You'll need one pound of skinless salmon fillet(s) cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife. It can be cut from one fillet or multiple salmon filets to equal one pound.
The salmon can be frozen and thawed or fresh salmon. Wild salmon or fresh water salmon can be used. True confession: I've also made it with skin-on salmon fillets and it's equally delicious (salmon skin is edible).
Seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are used to give these salmon bites delicious flavor.
Olive oil spray. This is spritzed on the salmon to create a coating for the seasonings to bind with and to get lightly crispy salmon bites.
Can be served with Skinny Bang Bang Sauce for a spicier flavor!
How to Make it
Printable detailed recipe card at the end of this post.
STEP 1. Prepare the salmon
Pat the cut salmon with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This allows the seasonings to better adhere.
Place salmon in a large mixing bowl.
STEP 2. Season the salmon
In a small bowl combine the seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Spritz the salmon with olive oil spray, toss and spritz again to create a light coating of the oil spray.
Sprinkle in the seasoning mix (photo 1); toss to coat the salmon (photo 2).
STEP 3. Air Fry
If your air fryer basket or tray does not have a non-stick finish or it has worn, spray air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray to prohibit the salmon pieces from sticking. This is not necessary for most air fryers.
Place the salmon cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space in between (photo 3). NOTE: depending on your air fryer type this will need to be done in batches.
Air fry at 380 degrees F for 7-8 minutes until the outside begins to crisp, and the inside is cooked but still moist (internal temperature of 145 degrees F as measured with a meat thermometer)(photo 4).
NOTE: additional batches will not need to cook as long since the air fryer is already hot so monitor during cooking.
STEP 4. Serve
Gently remove the cooked salmon bites with a spatula and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving (just until they are not too hot to eat).
They can be sprinkled with sesame seeds, diced green onions or chives, served with lemon wedges (for squeezing on lemon juice), served with a dipping sauce or served as is.
Air Fryer Cooking
All brand and types of air fryers cook slightly differently. It's important to monitor during cooking for doneness as your air fryer may vary in cooking time. The size of your air fryer will also determine how many 1-inch cubes you can cook at once. We used a Cosori XL 5.8 quart Air Fryer to make this air fryer salmon bites recipe.
Storing leftovers
Place any leftover salmon in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They can be rewarmed in the microwave or added cold to salads.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless salmon fillet cut into 1-inch cubes
- olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Skinny Bang Bang Sauce optional for dipping
Instructions
- Dab the salmon with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- Place the salmon pieces into a large mixing bowl and spritz with olive oil spray, toss and spritz again to coat the salmon cubes.1 pound skinless salmon fillet, olive oil spray
- In a small bowl combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to mix together.1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Sprinkle the seasoning onto the salmon, toss to coat.
- Place the salmon bites into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer with space in between. NOTE: For most air fryers this will require cooking in 2 (or more) batches.
- Air fry at 380 degrees for 7-8 minutes; the outside should just be turning crisp and the inside is still moist.
- Remove from the air fryer and allow to sit 1-2 minutes before serving. Serve with Skinny Bang Bang Sauce for dipping (optional).Skinny Bang Bang Sauce
Erin says
This was so easy! And incredibly delicious. I'll be making it again soon as it's perfect for weeknights with so few ingredients. Thanks!
Matt says
Awesome! These air fryer bites are so good and super easy to make. Another great recipe for the air fryer.
Nikki says
What great flavors on these easy to make salmon bites. They are perfect as a meal or appetizer.
dana says
I love doing salmon bites in the air fryer! These turned out fantastic. Definitely keeping this one in the rotation. So tasty!
Kara says
My whole family loved these! I didn't even need the sauce, but my kids loved dipping them!
Kechi says
Am always on the look out for new recipes I can make in my air fryer and this one was fantastic AND with the bang bang sauce! YUM!!!
Tara says
Oooh, these little bites definitely are big on flavor. Such a fantastic meal and so easy too.
Sam says
This was fabulous! Love this recipe.