Need perfectly cooked salmon that even the pickiest of eaters will love? Our air fryer salmon bites are fast, easy, and crazy delicious.
We stumbled onto this method during a busy weeknight and haven’t looked back since. These bite-sized pieces of fish cook so evenly in the air fryer, with a beautiful golden exterior and flaky, tender inside every time.
The sweet and spicy marinade adds incredible flavor, while our sriracha-lime sauce brings everything together. We make these constantly – sometimes as a quick protein for dinner, other times just for snacking straight from the air fryer. Get ready for the easiest way to cook salmon that actually tastes amazing.
🔪 What You’ll Need
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
- Salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Soy sauce
- Olive oil or sesame oil
- Honey or maple syrup
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
For the Sriracha-Lime Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Sriracha (or to taste)
- Lime juice
- Garlic powder
- Optional: honey for a sweeter sauce
Suggested Bowl Ingredients:
- Cooked jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- Cucumber, diced
- Avocado, sliced or cubed
- Shredded carrots
- Pickled red onions or radish
- Edamame
- Green onions or cilantro, for garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
Tools
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or spatula
- Whisk
- Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
📝 How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat to 400°F.
2. Make the Marinade
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oil, honey, sriracha, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat the Salmon
Toss salmon cubes gently in the marinade until evenly coated.
4. Cook the Salmon Bites
Place salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket (line with parchment or spray if needed). Air fry for 7–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden outside and flaky inside.
5. Mix the Sauce
While the salmon cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, garlic powder, and honey (if using). Adjust spice and tang to taste.
6. Serve
Plate salmon bites with dipping sauce or assemble into bowls with rice/greens, toppings, and a drizzle of sriracha-lime sauce.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Low-carb: Swap rice for cauliflower rice or a bed of mixed greens.
- Tropical twist: Add chopped mango or pineapple for sweetness.
- Spice swap: Try Cajun seasoning instead of paprika.
💡 Meat Nerd Tips
- Cut evenly: Slice salmon into uniform 1-inch cubes for consistent cook time.
- Check temp: Salmon is done at 145°F. Pull a degree or two early for perfect juiciness.
- Remove the skin: Skinless salmon caramelizes better on all sides in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd: Leave space in the basket so hot air can circulate and crisp the bites.
- Ask your fishmonger: Save time by having the skin removed before you get home.
- Switch up the heat: Try gochujang or sambal in place of sriracha for a different flavor.
- Add sesame oil: A drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end brings nutty depth.
- Repurpose leftovers: Use extra salmon bites in tacos or wraps the next day.
- Make extra sauce: It doubles as a flavorful dip for veggies or fries.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Build hearty bowls with rice, avocado, cucumber, and pickled veggies.
- Tuck salmon bites into lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
- Pair with sesame noodles and stir-fried greens for a full meal.
- Add to a grazing platter with sauces and veggies for game day snacking.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store: Keep cooked salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Use the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to bring back crispness.
- Prep ahead: Chop toppings and make sauce in advance for quick meals.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe with Sriracha-Lime Sauce
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites
- 1 lb salmon fillet skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup or Choczero syrup
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sriracha-Lime Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise we use avocado mayo
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon honey option for a sweeter version or if you’re not keeping it Keto
Suggested Bowl Ingredients
- Cooked jasmine rice brown rice, quinoa, or finely chopped cabbage if keeping it Keo
- Cucumber diced
- Avocado sliced or cubed
- Shredded carrots
- Pickled red onions or radish
- Edamame
- Green onions or cilantro for garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, honey, sriracha, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the salmon cubes and toss gently to coat.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place salmon pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and transfer them to the preheated air fryer. Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 7–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- While the salmon cooks, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust heat by adding more or less sriracha, and lime to taste.
- When ready, serve the salmon bites with a drizzle of the sriracha-lime sauce or on the side for dipping.
- Alternatively, assemble bowls with rice or greens as a base. Then add salmon bites and desired toppings. Drizzle with sriracha-lime sauce and finish with sesame seeds or herbs.
Notes
- Use pre-cut salmon or ask your butcher to remove the skin for faster prep.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to keep salmon crispy.
- Swap sriracha for gochujang or sambal for a different kick.
- Add chopped mango or pineapple for a sweet contrast.
- Double the sauce, it’s great as a dip or on sandwiches.
- Add a drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end for extra flavor.
- Chill the bowls for a cool, refreshing meal on hot days.
- Make it low-carb with cauliflower rice or greens.
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free.
- Use leftover salmon bites in tacos or wraps.
Nutrition
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, roast them on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 425°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or pan-sear in a skillet until golden and flaky.
Fresh, skinless salmon fillets work best. Sockeye and coho are leaner and usually thinner, while Atlantic or king salmon are thicker, making them easier to get uniform cubes, and stay extra buttery.
Spray the basket lightly with oil or use parchment paper designed for air fryers.
Yes. Cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a bag. Reheat in the air fryer until hot and crisp.
We think so but as all things, always ask your doctor what is healthy for you. Salmon is packed with omega-3s and protein. Air frying keeps them light without excess oil.
