Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Name: Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds skinless salmon fillets (cut in 1-inch cubes); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons paprika; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon thyme; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; Lemon wedges (for serving); spicy mayo

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My kids love salmon, so I’m always finding creative ways to cook it! These Air Fryer Salmon Bites are my new creation (and favorite). They’re so easy and flavorful—thanks to a homemade spice mixture!—and crispy all the way around. That’s the beauty of an air fryer!

Air fried salmon bites in an air fryer basket garnished with fresh chopped herbs and lemon wedges.

Recipe At a Glance
Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Popular Substitutions & Additions
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites No Breading
What to Serve With Air Fried Salmon Nuggets
Frequently Asked Questions
More Salmon Recipes:
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe

These air fried salmon nuggets start by tossing the fish in olive oil and cumin, paprika, dried thyme, and garlic powder. There’s no marinating time since the fish absorbs the flavor of the spice mixture quickly! Plus, the last thing I want on a weeknight is for dinner to take longer than it has to!

Lately, I’ve been serving these air fryer salmon bites with rice, air fryer broccoli, and spicy mayo on top. It’s a no-fail combination everyone in my house is happy with!

Recipe At a Glance

Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Air fryer
Dietary Info: Dairy-free
Key Flavor: Salmon
Skill Level: Easy

Why This Is So Good

Fast: These air fryer salmon bites cook in less than 10 minutes.
Delicious with anything: Whether eaten on rice, on top of noodles, or dipped into cucumber yogurt sauce, these nuggets are so tasty!
Great with any spices: The spices I call for are simple and what I always have on hand, but you could use any spice mixture you’re a fan of!

Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Ingredients for recipe: bowl of salmon cut into cubes, spices, and oil.

Salmon filets: Make sure to buy skinless salmon filets and cut them into evenly sized, small cubes!
Olive oil: This adds flavor, helps the salmon brown, and allows the spices to stick to the fish.
Paprika, cumin, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper: My spice blend of choice! You can use sweet or smoky paprika.
Lemon wedges: These air fry salmon cubes are delicious with a squeeze of lemon juice on top!

Popular Substitutions & Additions

Switch up the spices. Use whatever you like. BBQ seasoning, za’atar, and Italian seasoning are all great options.
Serve them with a sauce. Spicy mayo’s been my go-to lately, but cilantro yogurt sauce or tahini sauce would also be delicious.
Use another fish. Halibut, tilapia, Arctic char, or cod would be fine substitutes!
Top with herbs. Try sprinkling chopped, fresh cilantro, parsley, basil, dill, or mint on top.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

It’s recipes like this that remind me how great the air fryer is! It cooks so quickly and browns the salmon incredibly well.

Salmon pieces in a bowl with spices, before tossing together. — **Step 1:** Place the salmon cubes, olive oil, and spices in a large bowl.

Pieces of fish in a bowl tossed with spices and oil. — **Step 2:** Toss gently to combine the salmon with the seasoning.

Seasoned pieces of salmon in an air fryer basket before cooking. — **Step 3:** Transfer the salmon to the air fryer.

Fish bites after air frying in an air fryer basket. — **Step 4:** Air fry the salmon until cooked through and browned all over, shaking the basket halfway through.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites No Breading

Cut the salmon into evenly sized pieces. This will ensure they cook at the salmon speed!
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. You want to leave a bit of room between each of the salmon bits. That way, they brown all over. If the basket’s crowded, you’ll get unevenly browned salmon!
Make sure to shake the basket mid-way through cooking. Because air fryers have heating elements in their ceilings, it’s important to shake the basket mid-way through cooking as the top will brown quicker than the bottom.
Mind your air fryer’s cooking time. Some air fryers run hotter than others (and some cooler!), so use my recipe as a starting point and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Air fryer salmon bites on a plate with spicy mayo for dipping and garnished with sesame seeds.

What to Serve With Air Fried Salmon Nuggets

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store and reheat air fryer salmon bites?

Kept in the fridge in an airtight container, the cooked salmon will last for up to 3 days! You can reheat the salmon in a 400°F air fryer for a couple of minutes. The microwave works too.

Can you use frozen salmon in this recipe?

Yes! You absolutely can. Just allow the salmon to thaw in the fridge overnight before cutting it into pieces.

How do I know when the salmon’s cooked?

Because the salmon is cut into small pieces and cooked at such a high temperature, you don’t really have to worry about whether or not it’s cooked. When the salmon’s well-browned, it’ll be done!

A bowl of rice topped with crispy air fried salmon pieces and broccoli, topped with sesame seeds.

Crispy, flavorful, and so easy to make: I think these Air Fryer Salmon Bites have it all. My whole family loves them—and I love that the air fryer cooks so quickly. Plus, air fryers are easy to clean! All you have to do is wash the basket, which leaves more time for enjoying this delicious salmon.

More Salmon Recipes:

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