These air fryer salmon bites are so easy to make, and they’re perfect for a light meal. The salmon comes out moist and flaky in only about 6 minutes in your air fryer. Enjoy these bites solo as a snack or appetizer, or add them to a rice bowl for a quick and easy meal.
Salmon bites are perfect bite-sized pieces of succulent salmon that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Add a toothpick for a party appetizer, or top your rice bowl, tacos, or salads for a meal!
Thanks to the air fryer, it only takes about 6 minutes to prepare these salmon nuggets! That’s easy enough for a lunch break, and lets you skip getting takeout again. Plus, you can always do your cutting and marinating in advance to save even more time.
You can season your fish any way you’d like, which is great for keeping things interesting. I’m making teriyaki salmon bites today for an Asian style preparation, but I also really enjoy Cajun, blackened, honey garlic, and hot honey as well.
Since you can Reheat Salmon in the Air Fryer easily as well, this recipe is great to prepare in advance or in batches and then heat up when you’re ready for a quick meal!
Ingredients List
24 ounces salmon filets, fresh or defrosted
¼ cup teriyaki sauce
Sides or sauces for serving as desired
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Any type of salmon works: Alaskan, Sockeye, etc. Just make sure to use fresh, or defrosted if frozen, and pat dry well. I had 6 4-ounce filets, but you can use whatever size and quantity is available
Choose your favorite teriyaki sauce. I have garlic ginger teriyaki because that’s my favorite, but regular or any other flavor work great as well
You can also feel free to make your own homemade sauce, like my easy Microwave Teriyaki Sauce,if preferred. I’m just using premade as a time-saving alternative
This recipe scales up or down easily if you want to make more or less
Spice variations: instead of teriyaki, feel free to use 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp of your favorite spice blend, such as Cajun, blackening seasoning, barbecue, creole, or other seafood seasoning
How to Make Salmon Bites in Air Fryer
Skin your salmon if needed, and cut filets into approximately 1” nuggets
In a bowl, combine the salmon pieces and the teriyaki sauce, tossing to coat
Allow the salmon to sit and marinate while you preheat your air fryer to 400°F (or for about 5 minutes if you don’t need to preheat your air fryer)
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray if needed (optional)
Place the salmon bites into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some space between each one. Reserve the excess teriyaki sauce (there won’t be much)
Cook salmon nuggets on the air fry setting for 3 minutes at 400°F. Then, brush or drizzle the reserved sauce onto the salmon and cook again for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F
Serve with your favorite sides or sauces!
What to Serve With Salmon Bites
Rice (white or brown)
Edamame
Broccoli
Green beans
Avocado
Cucumbers
Green onions
Sesame seeds
Spicy mayo
Yum yum sauce
Yogurt sauce
Garlic parmesan sauce
Teriyaki sauce
Lemon wedges
I’m serving as a salmon rice bowl with white rice, air fried salmon bites, green onions, sesame seeds, and a side of Air Fryer Frozen Edamame. Feel free to create your own favorite combinations!
Recipe FAQs
How Long to Cook Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer?
On average, salmon bites should be cooked for 5-7 minutes in the air fryer.
The exact time required will depend on the size of your salmon pieces, as well as your specific air fryer.
How Do You Keep Salmon From Sticking to the Air Fryer?
To keep salmon from sticking to the air fryer, spray a nonstick cooking spray in the basket before adding the salmon.
Alternatively, a piece of parchment paper or nonstick foil may be used to line the air fryer basket. Make sure to not block the entire rack off, though, as this prevents air flow and affects cooking.
What is the Best Way to Cook Salmon Bites in an Air Fryer?
The best way to cook salmon bites in an air fryer is in a basket or on a rack coated in nonstick spray. Spread the bites in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
This assumes a cooking temperature of 400°F. Lower temperatures may require additional time to achieve needed internal temperature for food safety.
What Are the Ingredients Needed to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites?
The ingredients needed to make air fryer salmon bites will vary depending on your preferred flavor. You will always need salmon. Other common ingredients include olive oil, seasoning blends, or sweet, spicy, or savory sauces.
Any toppings, side dishes, or dipping sauces are optional, but should be considered if desired.
Recipe Pro Tips
If desired, you can marinate the salmon bites ahead of time (up to 24 hours) and cook when needed
The more evenly sized you cut your salmon bites, the more evenly they’ll cook
I do not recommend flipping during cooking. Yes, the bottoms won’t brown as much as the tops. However, salmon breaks apart pretty easily and you’ll tend to destroy the integrity of the “bites”
My teriyaki salmon bites were perfectly cooked after 6 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. You can always add additional time in 1-2 minute increments if you’d like more browning and caramelization on your fish. Other air fryers may vary slightly
These air fryer salmon bites are a quick and easy way to prepare delicious, succulent salmon nuggets in only about 6 minutes! They’re great for an appetizer or snack, or added into rice bowls, tacos, burritos, sushi, or really anything you can dream up.
I like to make a batch and reheat throughout the week for easy workday meals. This is such a low fuss way to ditch the takeout and eat something delicious!
Whether you make the teriyaki salmon bites like I did here or swap in your own sauces or seasonings to make a new flavor combination, they’re going to be great!
These easy air fryer salmon bites require only 2 ingredients and take about 6 minutes to cook. They’re perfect for an appetizer or as part of a rice bowl for a meal!
Skin your salmon if needed, and cut filets into approximately 1” nuggets using a sharp knife on a cutting board
24 Ounces salmon filets
In a bowl, combine the salmon pieces and the teriyaki sauce, tossing to coat with a spoon or spatula
¼ Cup teriyaki sauce
Allow the salmon to sit and marinate while you preheat your air fryer to 400°F (or for about 5 minutes if you don’t need to preheat your air fryer)
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray if needed (optional)
Nonstick spray
Place the salmon bites into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some space between each one. Reserve the excess teriyaki sauce (there won’t be much)
Cook salmon nuggets on the air fry setting for 3 minutes at 400°F. Then, brush or drizzle the reserved sauce onto the salmon and cook again for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F
Serve with your favorite sides or sauces!
Sides or sauces for serving as desired
Notes
Any type of salmon works: Alaskan, Sockeye, etc. Just make sure to use fresh, or defrosted if frozen, and pat dry well. I had 6 4-ounce filets, but you can use whatever size and quantity is available
Choose your favorite teriyaki sauce. I have garlic ginger teriyaki because that’s my favorite, but regular or any other flavor work great as well
You can also feel free to make your own homemade sauce if preferred. I’m using premade as a time-saving alternative
This recipe scales up or down easily if you want to make more or less
Spice variations: instead of teriyaki, feel free to use 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp of your favorite spice blend, such as Cajun, blackening seasoning, barbecue, creole, or other seafood seasoning
If desired, you can marinate the salmon bites ahead of time (up to 24 hours) and cook when needed
The more evenly sized you cut your salmon bites, the more evenly they’ll cook
I do not recommend flipping during cooking. Yes, the bottoms won’t brown as much as the tops. However, salmon breaks apart pretty easily and you’ll tend to destroy the integrity of the “bites”
My teriyaki salmon bites were perfectly cooked after 6 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. You can always add additional time in 1-2 minute increments if you’d like more browning and caramelization on your fish. Other air fryers may vary slightly
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any added sauces or sides, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
