Air Fryer Honey Soy Salmon Bites That Are Flaky and Moist
If you like salmon but have had too may dry and tough results, I’m going to walk you through the steps to perfectly cooked salmon bites. They are sweet, salty and spicy all in bite-size cubes. I make these when I want a nutrient rich protein that I can use for many different meals
| Prep Time 5 minutes | Marinating Time 15 minutes | Cook Time 5 minutes | Servings 4 |
Salmon bites are terrific as a stand alone air fryer dinner, or you can put the bites over rice with crunchy veggies, tuck them into lettuce cups, or add them to tacos. Once you learn the timing for your air fryer, you can make this without fail.
Quick Answer Box
What it is: Bite-size salmon coated in honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then air fried until the glaze sets and the salmon stays moist and flaky.
Why it works: The flavor is bold but the method stays simple, and the salmon keeps a nice texture. The honey helps the coating cling, and the air fryer cooks the bites quickly without drying them out.
How to make it: Pat the salmon dry, cut it into even pieces, toss with the honey soy mixture, then air fry in a single layer until it flakes easily.
Table of Contents
Why Everyone Loves This Recipe
- Fast cooking with minimal cleanup.
- Sticky honey soy coating that is a combination of sweet, spicy and salty.
- Easy to serve with rice, veggies, salad, or lettuce cups.
Key Takeaways
- Cut the salmon into equally sized cubes so they cook evenly.
- Pat the salmon dry so the glaze sticks and the edges brown.
- Leave space between pieces in the basket so they roast, not steam.
- Check their doneness early since different air fryers can heat differently.
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon: Use salmon fillets that are an even thickness. Avoid cuts with the tail section. Either skin on or skin off salmon work. The skin can help the individual cubes from breaking apart. Use fresh or frozen salmon that has been thawed.
- Soy sauce: Low sodium gives you more control. If you use regular soy sauce, omit the salt in the sauce. You can always add more later.
- Honey: It caramelizes as it cooks and creates the sweet, nutty flavor. Keep the temperature in the 380°F to 390°F range so it browns without scorching.
- Garlic and ginger: Fresh grated gives the best flavor. You can always uses grated garlic or ginger from a jar. The powders work, but I suggest going with grated in the jar or freshly greated.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle on the saucy salmon bites before cooking. You can also toast them on a sheet of foil in the air fryer or in a skillet. Toasting gives them a nice aroma.They only take minutes to toast, so watch them closely.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Prep the salmon. Pat the salmon dry, then cut it into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep the pieces close in size so they cook evenly.
- Mix the glaze. In a bowl, stir together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Coat the salmon. Add the salmon cubes and gently toss until everything looks evenly coated. Let them sit 5 to 10 minutes, but absolutely no longer.
- Preheat and prep the basket. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Lightly oil the basket, or use perforated parchment made for air fryers.
- Air fry. Arrange the salmon in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Cook 7 to 10 minutes, testing early with a fork. You can always cook longer, but once they are overcooked there isn’t anything you can do.
- Finish. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and looks opaque. Add sesame seeds at the end if you did not add them earlier.
Top Tip: Different air fryers can heat up differently. If you know how hot your air fryer gets, then go with your instinct. However, it is alway better to check the salmon early.
Serving Ideas
Rice bowl: Add thinly sliced or quick pickled cucumbers and shredded carrots, then spoon any extra glaze over the top.
Lettuce cups: Use iceburg lettuce leaves, add salmon bites, then finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Tacos: Arrange the salmon bites onto warmed tortillas. Finish with shredded cabbage and a light sauce.
Noodles: Toss noodles with a splash of soy sauce and a little oil, then add salmon and steamed broccoli.
Make Ahead, Store, And Reheat
- You can mix the glaze up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the refrigerator.
- Cooked salmon bites keep 2 to 3 days in a sealed container.
- Reheat leftover salmon in the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 4 minutes, just until warm, so the salmon stays tender and moist.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, but thaw it first and pat it very dry. Thaw salmon overnight in the refrigerator.
What doneness should I aim for?
Cook until it turns opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork. The USDA recommends 145°F for a safe internal temp. However many chef’s and home cooks prefer 125°F to 130°F where it is tender, flaky and moist. Salmon can dry out and become chewy quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Do I need to use parchment paper?
No, but clean up will be easier. You can just oil the basket lightly.
Do I need to use parchment paper?
No, but clean up will be easier. Us a non-stick cooking spray that doesn not contain lecithin as that can damage the cooking surface of the air fryer.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-1 ¼ lbs skinless or skin-on salmon fillets even thickness
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Nonstick cooking spray without lecithin use if not using parchment paper
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes. The cubes should be even in size.
- In a large shallow bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, if using; whisk to combine.
- Carefully add the salmon pieces to the marinade, turning each piece a few times to coat them well. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes, but no longer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380ºF.
- When hot, add the perforated parchment paper to the basket. If not using parchment, spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the salmon chunks in the basket, skin side down, with space in between them. Cook in batches, if necessary.
- Air fry, 5 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Optional serving methods:
- If serving the salmon bowl style, cook the rice and slice vegetables while the salmon is cooking.
- Garnish with avocado, edamame, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of a creamy Sriracha sauce, if desired.
Cooks Tips
- Spicier: Add small spoon of chili paste or Gochujang to the glaze.
- Citrus finish: Squeeze lemon or lime over the salmon right before serving.
- Sesame flavor: Add 1 tsp sesame oil to the glaze.
For Bowls: Use Jasmine or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, diced avocado, edamame beans, crushed red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, or sliced green onions. Tip: Do not marinate for longer than 20 minutes as the salmon can turn mushy. Oven method: To cook the salmon in the oven, line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated salmon cubes in a single layer. Bake at 400ºF until the salmon pieces, about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
