Healthy Asian air fryer salmon bites are easy to make with a simple 5-ingredient marinade! These tasty bites are a quick and healthy dinner you can use to top a rice bowl, over a salad or on skewers!
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Salmon is one of my favorite healthy proteins and we have a ton of salmon recipes (like this almond crusted salmon!) here on the blog. These air fried salmon bites are the newest yummy recipe to enter that category.
If you love takeout you will love these sticky air fryer salmon bites over rice, in a rice bowl or paired with a veggie like broccoli. They are super quick to make, versatile and bursting with flavor!
These bites are made with skin on (similar to this skin on salmon recipe) however they are easy to remove after cooking if you prefer. The TikTok and Instagram sensation that now you can make them homemade the easy way!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make for a salmon rice bowl, skewers or salad! An easy 5 stars recipe for ease!
- Quick to cook - only 5 minutes! Made in the air fryer giving the perfect cooked texture in no time at all! Marinade time is 30 minutes and easy to prep or make ahead for dinner.
- Made with simple ingredients and no breading - perfect for gluten-free, pescatarian and dairy-free eating.
- Glazed with a delicious maple-soy marinade that is literally bursting with flavor.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Maple syrup: May use honey in place if desired.
- Ginger: I used dried ginger powder because it's what I had on hand, however you could use fresh ginger also.
- Soy sauce: You could also use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce to make it a Whole30 or paleo-friendly option. I have found that coconut aminos has a weaker taste than soy sauce so if you are subbing it, you may want to add more.
How to Make This Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Combine the marinade ingredients into a cup and stir until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Prepare fish by cutting into 1-inch cubes. Place in a baking dish.
- Pour marinade over the fish and cover dish with a cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
- Air fry at 400F for 5 minutes or until desired doneness.
Expert Tips & Things You Need to Know
- Spicy: To make spicy, add some Sriracha sauce or cajun seasoning to the marinade ingredients. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more if you want it spicier.
- Serve: Serve in a buddha bowl with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce, hot honey, spicy mayo or Thai sweet chili sauce.
- Make ahead & freezer directions: Can be made from frozen. Follow the recipe through the marinade stage and then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Add additional minutes onto frying to account for them being frozen.
Recipe FAQs
Air fryer salmon bites take about 5 minutes to cook when cut into 1-inch cubes. Note that fish is generally not consistent in size across the fillet - there is a thinner side and a thicker side. Try to be as consistent as possible in cutting to ensure even cooking.
400F for 5 minutes.
Not at all! Air fried salmon is by far my favorite way to cook it because it's quick and gives you the crispy edges and moist and tender inside meat.
Related Recipes
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 8X8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 24 oz salmon
Marinade Ingredients
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon ginger
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients into a cup and stir until well incorporated. Set aside.⅓ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup soy sauce, 2 teaspoon ginger, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Prepare fish by cutting into 1-inch cubes. Place in a baking dish.24 oz salmon
- Pour marinade over the fish and cover dish with a cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
- Air fry at 400F for 5 minutes or until desired doneness.
Notes
- Spicy: To make recipe spicy, add some Sriracha sauce or cajun seasoning to the marinade ingredients. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more if you want it spicier.
- Serve: Serve in a buddha bowl with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce, hot honey, spicy mayo or Thai sweet chili sauce.
- Make ahead & freezer directions: Can be made from frozen. Follow the recipe through the marinade stage and then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Add additional minutes onto frying to account for them being frozen.
Kelsey
oh my that looks tasty! does the marinade turn out a bit like eel sauce?
Lyndsey Piccolino
No it tastes more like teriyaki! ,