Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Crispy and juicy salmon bites cooked in the fryer and served with garlic cream sauce. It’s one of the easiest family seafood dinners you can make!

If you haven’t tried them yet, let me tell you: Air Fried Salmon Bites are a total game changer!

They are crunchy, tasty and so easy to prepare that even the most inexperienced cook will be able to prepare them in no time. If you have a knife, a cutting board, a bowl, and an air fryer, you have this!

And if you’ve ever had trouble cooking salmon to perfection, this will be your new favorite recipe because it’s foolproof. It literally comes out perfectly every time!

The air fryer gives the salmon a crispy crust, but it also helps retain moisture and flavor, making it the ideal bite. You’ll never worry about dry, overcooked (or slimy and undercooked) salmon again.

One of my favorite parts is how customizable this dish is. You can season the salmon bites with your favorite spice blends and experiment with different sauces so you never get bored.

I include a simple garlic cream sauce in this recipe, but we also love them with yum yum sauce and freshly made Meyer lemon mayo.

ingredients

• Salmon – For this recipe I prefer to use fresh skinless salmon fillets.
• Condiments – I use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Sometimes I will use Cajun seasoning Instead.
• Butter – I use unsalted butter in this recipe. If using savory, reduce the amount of salt in the seasoning.
• Garlic – Instead of minced garlic you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Heavy cream – Evaporated milk will work well as a substitute for cream.
• Parsley – Fresh parsley is an optional garnish. You could also use green onions or chives.

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Why you should make this recipe

• Nutritious. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and other essential nutrients, making it a nutritious choice for any meal.
• Suitable for families. Both children and adults will love the crunchy and tasty salmon bites. They’re like salmon croquettes!
• Easy and fast. Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy process, taking only about 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Less mess. Cooking salmon in the air fryer reduces the mess typically associated with other cooking methods, making cleanup a breeze.

How to do

Season

Add the diced salmon to a small bowl along with the seasonings.

Toss gently until each piece is well coated.

Air frying

Add the seasoned salmon cubes to the fryer basket in a single layer.

Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes. (They are ready when the internal temperature of the salmon is 145F. Use a digital thermometer check.)

Sauce

I love serving them with a simple garlic cream sauce.

To prepare, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Fry the garlic and pour in the cream.

Stir and simmer the sauce until it thickens to your preferred consistency.

Plate the salmon pieces and pour the sauce over them. Enjoy!

Suggestions

1. Dry the salmon before seasoning it. This will help the seasoning adhere better to the fish, ensuring maximum flavor.
2. Preheat the air fryer. It’s important to preheat the fryer before cooking the salmon to ensure it cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.
3. Use cooking spray. Spray the fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the salmon from sticking to the bottom and ensure even cooking.

What to serve it with

It’s great with rice, especially this coconut rice made in the Instant Pot. It’s also delicious served with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or twice-baked potato casserole.

Kids love it when served basket style with chips, corn on the cob, and this super creamy Instant Pot macaroni and cheese.

For a lighter meal, you can eat it on top of a bed of mixed greens along with other vegetables to create a delicious and healthy salad.