Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Hands down my favorite way to make salmon, these air fryer salmon bites are ready in just 6 minutes and are THE BEST way to add protein to pretty much any meal.
As a girl that eats a lot of salmon, I will tell you that making salmon chunks in the air fryer is a game changer. Not only do they cook up so quickly, but because they are already in little cubes, they are perfect on salads, in wraps, on tacos or on pasta. I make this recipe at least once a week and I think you will too!
The air fryer is one of my favorite ways to get dinner on the table fast. After you make these air fryer salmon chunks, you should also try making frozen shrimp in the air fryer or making my favorite teriyaki salmon in the air fryer.
Not only are these salmon cubes an easy way to add protein to any meal, but you can also customize the flavors so that you will never get bored! Be sure to check out all the flavor variations below.
Make perfectly cooked salmon every time in under 10 minutes with minimal ingredients. These healthy salmon cubes in the air fryer are gluten free, paleo, Whole30 and low carb friendly and go with just about any meal.
Ingredient spotlight
- Skinless salmon – I personally prefer skinless salmon for this recipe but you could use skin-on if you prefer.
How to make air fryer salmon bites
Cut the salmon into cubes, about 1-2 inch cubes (use a knife or kitchen shears)
Season the salmon: Add the salmon to a bowl and add the olive oil and spices. Stir well.
Cook the salmon: Add salmon chunks to air fryer basket (line with parchment paper or silicone liner for easy clean up). Be sure they are in a single layer. Cook at 400F for 6 minutes. No need to shake the basket or flip the salmon.
Top tips
- I recommend skinless salmon. If you are using salmon with the skin on, be sure to cook it skin side up.
- Cut the salmon into similar sized pieces with sharp kitchen shears or a sharp knife and a plastic cutting board.
- This method is especially great if you notice that your salmon varies in thickness. This way all the salmon cooks at the same time no matter how thick or thin it is.
- I like to put down the silicone liner for the air fryer when making salmon as I find that it helps ensure nothing sticks. If you don’t have a silicone liner, you can put down parchment paper that you cut to the size of your air fryer basket. Be sure to cut a few small holes in the paper to allow air flow. I have also made this without the liner, and it works well, but a few pieces of the salmon did stick a little.
- Use silicone tipped tongs or a silicone spatula to avoid scratching the coating on your air fryer basket.
- To double the recipe, cook the salmon in 2 batches. The second batch may be done in 5 minutes since the air fryer will be preheated.
Other flavors to try
You can change up the flavor based on what you are serving along side of them.
- Herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning – omit the paprika and crushed red pepper flakes. Add about 1 tablespoon of herbs de provence or italian seasoning to the garlic powder, oregano and salt.
- Cajun – add about ½ tablespoon of your favorite cajun seasoning along with the other spices in the recipe.
- Ranch – omit the paprika, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes. Add ½ tablespoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon dried parsley and ½ teaspoon dried dill to the garlic powder and salt.
- Taco – add about ½ tablespoon of your favorite taco seasoning to the recipe along with the other spices.
- Smoky – add ½ teaspoon cumin to increase the smokiness of the recipe.
- Squeeze of lemon or lime – add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime at the end to brighten the flavors, regardless of the spices used.
Ways to serve air fried salmon bites
- In gluten free wraps or pitas
- On salads
- In tacos (like these bbq salmon tacos)
- On top of grain bowls, buddha bowls or nourish bowls
- As the main protein in pretty much any meal
- Over rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower with broccoli, peas, carrots, or asparagus and a fun sauce like spicy sriracha mayo or cilantro lime sauce
- In burrito bowls with spiced black beans, rice and veggies
Common questions
Can you make salmon bites without an air fryer?
Yes! You can make these salmon bites in the oven under the broiler if you don’ have an air fryer.
- Coat the salmon in oil and spices and place on a baking sheet that can withstand the boiler (or you can use a large skillet or cast iron skillet.
- Add the salmon to the pan and cook under the broiler for 4 minutes. Take out of the oven, flip the salmon bites and cook again under the boiler for about 3 minutes.
Do you have to preheat the air fryer?
This recipe is written using a Ninja air fryer, and I did not preheat the air fryer.
If you are using a larger air fryer that indicates that preheating is necessary, you may want to start checking on the salmon bites around the 5 minute mark.
How to remove the skin from salmon
Typically I buy skinless salmon when I know I will be making a recipe like this. However if you only have salmon with the skin on, you can remove yourself.
- Place the salmon flesh side down on a cutting board. Start in a corner and try to pinch the skin to get a knife under it. Once you start, use small strokes with the knife as you pull back on the skin slowly removing it from the salmon. You may want to hold onto the skin with a paper towel in your hands to help keep it tight (as it can be a little slippery).
- I have also seen a method where you put the salmon skin side up on a cooling rack and pour boiling water over the top. This cooks the skin just enough that you can then peel the skin from the raw salmon. I have not personally tried this myself though.
Storing leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375 for 3-4 minutes or serve cold or at room temperature.
- Freezer: Although you can freeze cooked salmon, I think this recipe is best if you enjoy it fresh.
More salmon recipes to try:
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1-2 inch cubes. You can use sharp kitchen shears or a knife and cutting board.
- Add the salmon chunks into a bowl. Add the oil and spices to the salmon then stir well.
- Transfer the salmon cubes to the air fryer. I like to put down a silicone liner or parchment paper liner into basket first. Be sure that the salmon is in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400F for 6 minutes.
Equipment
Notes
- For this recipe, it’s best to use skinless salmon.
- Be sure to cut the fish into similar sized pieces with sharp kitchen shears or a sharp knife and a plastic cutting board.
- I recommend using a silicone liner or parchment paper to line the air fryer to help ensure nothing sticks.
- Use silicone tipped tongs or a silicone spatula to avoid scratching the coating on your air fryer basket.
- To double the recipe, cook in 2 batches. This helps ensure that the air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded so everything cooks quickly and evenly. The second batch may be done in 5 minutes since the air fryer will be preheated.
- Herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning – omit the paprika and crushed red pepper flakes. Add about 1 tablespoon of herbs de provence or italian seasoning to the garlic powder, oregano and salt.
- Cajun – add about ½ tablespoon of your favorite cajun seasoning along with the other spices in the recipe.
- Ranch – omit the paprika, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes. Add ½ tablespoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon dried parsley and ½ teaspoon dried dill to the garlic powder and salt.
- Taco – add about ½ tablespoon of your favorite taco seasoning to the recipe along with the other spices.
- Smoky – add ½ teaspoon cumin to increase the smokiness of the recipe.
- Squeeze of lemon or lime – add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime at the end to brighten the flavors, regardless of the spices used.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375 for 3-4 minutes or serve cold or at room temperature.
- Freezer: Although you can freeze cooked salmon, I think this recipe is best if you enjoy it fresh.
