Looking for a simple, nutritious, and tasty seafood dish? These crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites with brown sugar are the perfect solution! Marinated in a mouthwatering blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic, each bite is perfectly seasoned and cooked to tender perfection in just minutes. With their crispy exterior and flaky interior, these salmon bites are a delicious, healthy option for any meal.
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Not only are these salmon bites extremely flavorful, but they’re also super versatile. Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week ahead or preparing a quick family dinner, these salmon bites are incredibly convenient for any occasion.
Pair them with roasted veggies and fried rice, or serve them on their own. Either way you’re guaranteed a healthy, protein-rich meal. With a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy center, these salmon bites offer classic seafood goodness in every bite!
If you love quick and easy seafood recipes, you might also enjoy my Poor Man's Cod or Shrimp Scampi—perfect for satisfying your seafood cravings!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Great for Meal Prep: Season and store the salmon bites in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it easy to have a ready-to-cook meal anytime.
- Versatile: Enjoy them on their own, pair them with veggies, pasta, or rice, or toss them into a salad for endless serving possibilities.
- Quick and Easy: After marinating, simply air fry the salmon bites in minutes for a fast, flavorful meal.
- Nutritious: High in protein and omega-3s, these salmon bites are a healthy option without sacrificing taste.
- Family-Friendly: Bite-sized and full of flavor, these salmon bites are a hit with both kids and adults.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer makes cooking and cleanup effortless, so you can focus on enjoying your meal.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make these marinated salmon bites!
- Salmon fillets are the easiest and most convenient cut of salmon to use for these salmon bites. You can use fresh or frozen salmon and skin them yourself, but you can also save yourself the hassle and buy it skinless at the store!
- Lemon slices brighten the taste of the salmon with their acidity and infuse the bites with a fresh, slightly citrusy flavor.
- Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness to the salmon and caramelizes perfectly when cooked.
- Soy sauce adds a rich, salty flavor that complements the other seasonings well.
- Olive oil keeps the salmon moist and prevents the chunks from sticking to one another.
- Water can help with the consistency of the marinade, and adding more or less can result in a thin or thicker marinade.
- Salt is a natural flavor enhancer that helps balance out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Lemon pepper is zesty and adds a hint of spicy heat to the marinade that elevates the overall flavor of the salmon.
- Garlic powder brings a savory garlic flavor that perfectly blends with the other seasonings without being too overbearing.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Olive Oil Substitutions: Swap olive oil for avocado oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil for similar results, or use sesame oil to add a nutty depth of flavor.
- Different Spices: Enhance your marinade with spices like thyme, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or even cumin for a bolder flavor profile.
- Sweetener Swap: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup, honey, or even coconut sugar for a natural sweetness that complements the marinade.
- Other Flavors: Experiment with marinades like BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, or even a garlic butter glaze to create new flavor combinations.
- Fish Variations: Try this recipe with flaky fish like cod, haddock, or tilapia for a lighter but equally delicious alternative to salmon.
- Salmon Variations: Both fresh and frozen salmon work well, but ensure frozen salmon is fully thawed and patted dry to achieve the best seasoning and texture.
- Zesty Additions: Add orange or lime zest to the marinade for a fresh citrus twist.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in sriracha, hot sauce, or chili paste for a spicier version of these salmon bites.
- Herbal Infusion: Add fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro to brighten up the dish and complement the rich salmon flavor.
How to Make Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, mix up the marinade, add it to a plastic gallon storage bag, then follow the steps below for this easy air fryer salmon recipe!
- Step 1: Pour the marinade mixture into the ziplock gallon bag.
- Step 2: Add the lemon slices to the bag.
- Step 3: Cut salmon in 1-inch chunks and place them in the bag with the lemon slices. Seal and turn to coat, then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Step 4: Place the marinated salmon in a greased air fryer basket, spaced apart, and cook at 390ºF for 6 minutes, shaking halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 125-130ºF.
Helpful Tips
- Pat Salmon Dry: Always pat your salmon dry with paper towels before marinating. This helps the marinade adhere better and ensures crispy, golden-brown salmon bites. Moist salmon can dilute the marinade and affect flavor.
- Even Marinade Coating: Toss the salmon bites thoroughly in the marinade to ensure every piece is evenly coated, giving each bite a burst of flavor.
- Uniform Sizes: Cut your salmon into evenly-sized cubes to ensure consistent cooking in the air fryer, avoiding overcooked or undercooked pieces.
- Serve with Pairings: These salmon bites pair beautifully with grilled veggies, a crisp chopped salad, or cauliflower mac and cheese for a complete meal.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow air to circulate, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that your salmon bites reach an internal temperature of 125-130ºF for perfectly cooked, tender bites.
- Oven or Stovetop Option: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the salmon bites in the oven at 400ºF for 12-15 minutes until cooked through, or pan-sear them on medium-high heat for a crispy, golden finish.
Recipe FAQs
Marinate the salmon bites for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop. You can also marinate them overnight for an even richer taste.
If you prefer to use skin-on salmon, you can, but be sure to face the skin side down in the air fryer. This recipe calls for skinless salmon because it results in more evenly-cooked bites and better texture.
Yes, you can use frozen salmon, but be sure to fully thaw and pat it dry before marinating to ensure proper seasoning and texture.
Yes! After seasoning and leaving them in the marinade, these salmon bites will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator before being cooked. After they are cooked, they can last an additional 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
Place leftover salmon bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 3-4 minutes to maintain their crispiness.
Freezing Instructions
To freeze, store marinated salmon bites in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, thawing in the fridge before air frying.
For cooked bites, freeze them in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a bag or container and reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 5-7 minutes.
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Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound salmon fillet (skinless)
- Lemon slices
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, water, salt, lemon pepper and garlic powder.
- Stir until the brown sugar is dissolved. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade to serve with cooked salmon bites.
- Pour the remaining marinade mixture into the ziplock gallon bag. Cut salmon in 1-inch chunks and place them in the bag with the lemon slices. Seal and turn to coat, then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Place the marinated salmon in a greased air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces are evenly spaced and not touching for optimal cooking.
- Cook at 390ºF for 6 minutes, shaking halfway through. Cook until salmon reaches 125-130ºF.
- Serve with saved marinade and enjoy!
Notes
- Pat Salmon Dry: Always pat your salmon dry with paper towels before marinating. This helps the marinade adhere better and ensures crispy, golden-brown salmon bites. Moist salmon can dilute the marinade and affect flavor.
- Even Marinade Coating: Toss the salmon bites thoroughly in the marinade to ensure every piece is evenly coated, giving each bite a burst of flavor.
- Uniform Sizes: Cut your salmon into evenly-sized cubes to ensure consistent cooking in the air fryer, avoiding overcooked or undercooked pieces.
- Serve with Pairings: These salmon bites pair beautifully with grilled veggies, a crisp chopped salad, or cauliflower mac and cheese for a complete meal.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow air to circulate, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that your salmon bites reach an internal temperature of 125-130ºF for perfectly cooked, tender bites.
- Oven or Stovetop Option: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the salmon bites in the oven at 400ºF for 12-15 minutes until cooked through, or pan-sear them on medium-high heat for a crispy, golden finish.
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