Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These air fryer salmon bites with lemon garlic butter sauce are my secret to a fast, flavorful meal. I make them all the time, especially over rice or quinoa.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter

Salmon air fryer bites are one of my favorite quick, healthy dinners. I eat salmon about twice a week, and these bites are definitely one of the best ways to enjoy it. They’re crispy and flavorful, and they’ve quickly become a regular part of my meals.

The lemon garlic butter sauce really enhances the flavor of the salmon and is super simple to make. There are also endless ways to season the salmon depending on what you’re in the mood for.

What I love most is how flexible this dish is. Whether I’m craving something spicy, sweet, or savory, I can adjust the seasonings to suit my taste. It’s one of those meals that never gets boring and always hits the spot.

Why I Love This Recipe

• I love a dinner that comes together from start to finish in 10 minutes.
• Dinner bowls are one of my favorites, and salmon with rice or quinoa and some veggies is the perfect option.
• If I have leftover salmon from this dish, I’ll chill it and toss it into a salad the next day.

Ingredients

Just a handful of ingredients bring this air fryer salmon bites recipe to life.

• Salmon: I use fresh salmon fillets and cut them into 1″ cubes. Salmon is easier to cut into cubes the colder it is, so I make sure to cut it right after I remove it from the refrigerator.
• Butter: I prefer using a salted, European butter, like Kerrygold for the best flavor in the sauce.
• Garlic: Press or mince your garlic cloves. If my cloves are really small, I might use 3-4.
• Lemon Juice: I use fresh lemon juice for it’s brightness and it balances the richness of the butter and salmon.
• Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper: A simple seasoning trio that doesn’t overpower the fish or the sauce.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Step One (Preheat the Air Fryer)
  Preheat your air fryer to 400°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to cook the salmon.
• Step Two (Make the Lemon Garlic Butter)
  In a small bowl, mix together butter, garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk it all up until it’s fully combined.
• Step Three (Coat the Salmon)
  Add the salmon to the bowl with the lemon garlic butter and gently toss it to coat the fish.
• Step Four (Cook the Salmon)
  Pop the salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook it for 5-7 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Step Five (Serve and Garnish)
  Once the salmon is done, serve it over rice and sprinkle with some fresh parsley to finish it off.

Recipe Tips

When it comes to making these salmon bites, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

• I’ve found it’s not necessary to toss or turn the salmon while it’s in the air fryer. I just leave them in one spot, and they get crispy in all the right places.
• I make sure not to overcook the salmon bites – overcooking can dry them out quickly.
• My favorite dinner bowl is simple: salmon with rice and a green vegetable. It’s my favorite and so easy to make.
• The salmon is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. I usually check it by gently pulling apart a piece with a fork, but a meat thermometer works great too.
• When I double or triple the recipe for leftovers, I cook the salmon in batches. This keeps the air fryer basket from overcrowding, which could lead to uneven cooking and dry salmon.

Storage and Freezing Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I prevent my salmon bites from overcooking?
  To avoid overcooking, monitor the cooking time closely. Air fry the salmon bites at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The salmon should be cooked through, flaky, and slightly crisp on the outside when done.
• Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
  Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Just make sure it’s completely thawed before seasoning and cooking. Pat it dry to remove excess moisture for the best results.
• What are some other recommended seasonings for air fryer salmon bites?
  You can customize the seasoning blend to your taste. Some options include a lemon and herb blend, an Asian-inspired marinade with soy sauce and ginger, a spicy Cajun rub, or a Mediterranean-style seasoning with oregano and garlic powder.
• Can I bake these salmon bites instead of using an air fryer?
  Yes, you can bake the salmon bites. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are cooked through and slightly crisp on the outside.

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

Here are a few more ways to cook salmon in the air fryer, along with some other seafood options to try.

• Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
• Air Fryer Maple Glazed Salmon
• Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
• Air Fryer Fish Nuggets

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Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These air fryer salmon bites are crispy, flavorful, and quick to make, perfect for a healthy meal in just minutes. Paired with a tangy lemon garlic butter sauce, they’re ideal served over rice or quinoa with veggies. Simple, versatile, and packed with flavor, this dish is sure to become a weeknight favorite.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Servings: 4

Calories: 266kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons For accurate measuring.
• mixing bowls To mix up the lemon garlic butter sauce.
• Air Fryer To air fry the salmon.
• whisk To mix up the ingredients.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsps. butter melted
• 2 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 lb. salmon filet cut into 1" cubes
• fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk until fully combined. Add the salmon and gently toss to coat.
  4 tbsps. butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. table salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 lb. salmon filet
• Transfer the seasoned salmon into the air fryer basket, arranging the pieces in a single layer.
• Cook for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through (145°F).
• Serve over rice and garnish with fresh parsley
  fresh parsley for garnish

Notes

For optimal outcomes when making this air fryer salmon bites, I recommended referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

© noblepig.com. All content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is encouraged and appreciated, but copying and/or pasting the full recipe to social media or other platforms is strictly prohibited.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Amount Per Serving (142 g)

Calories 266 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 8.5g53%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g

Monounsaturated Fat 4.8g

Cholesterol 93mg31%

Sodium 452mg20%

Potassium 521mg15%

Carbohydrates 1.7g1%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 0.3g0%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 155IU3%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 64mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.

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