Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
Salmon bites are small cubes of fish, marinated briefly and cooked until sticky at the edges and soft in the middle. In the air fryer they take only 6–8 minutes, which makes them a quick dinner over rice, a topping for a poke-style bowl or a finger food with a dip. The small size is the main thing to manage, because pieces this small can overcook within a minute.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 27min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 52°C
- Per serving
- 405kcal
Why the air fryer works for salmon bites
Making air fryer salmon bites uses the strength of the machine: small pieces, fast hot air and a short cooking time. In a frying pan the cubes stick, break up and need turning one by one. In the oven they dry out before the glaze sets. In the basket the air reaches all sides of each cube, so the marinade turns sticky and the edges colour in minutes while the middle stays soft.
The same small size is also the risk. A 3 cm cube of salmon cooks from raw to done in about 7 minutes, and a minute too long dries it out. Check the first batch early, and take the fish out when it flakes but still looks slightly glossy in the centre. For whole fillets, see the pages on salmon in the air fryer and salmon fillet.
How to make salmon bites in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the fish Cut the salmon into cubes of about 3 cm, all the same size so they finish together. Check for pin bones with your fingertips and pull out any you find.
- Marinate Mix the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Add the salmon, turn it gently and leave it for . Longer than makes the fish salty and a little firm.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for and brush the basket with the rapeseed oil. Lift the salmon out of the marinade and let the excess drip off.
- Cook Spread the bites in a single layer with small gaps. Cook for , shaking the basket or turning the pieces with tongs after , until they are golden at the edges.
- Check and serve Cut one bite open. It should be pale pink and flaking, around 52 °C inside, which is common kitchen practice for salmon. Scatter the sesame seeds and spring onions over the top and serve straight away.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Salmon Bites | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Honey soy salmon bitesShake after 3 minutes | 200 °C | 6–8 min |
| Small 2 cm pieces | 200 °C | 4–5 min |
| Large 4 cm chunks | 190 °C | 8–9 min |
| Frozen salmon bitesShake twice | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Blackened salmon bitesCajun spice, no marinade | 200 °C | 6–7 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 52 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: How to convert oven recipes to the air fryer
Tips
- Cut evenly. Pieces of different sizes finish at different times. Trim the thin belly edge of the fillet or cook it separately.
- Shake gently. Salmon is fragile once it is cooked, so turn the pieces with tongs if the basket does not shake easily.
- Do not marinate for too long. Soy sauce firms and salts the fish if it sits for hours. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty.
Serving
Serve the bites over rice with sliced cucumber, avocado and a drizzle of soy sauce for a poke-style bowl, or put them in wraps with lettuce and a yoghurt dressing. As a snack, pass them round on cocktail sticks with a dip. Air fryer salmon bites also go well with sweet potato fries or broccoli cooked in the same machine.
Storing and reheating
Leftover bites keep for 1–2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). They are also good cold in a salad or flaked into a sandwich. Do not reheat them more than once.
Variations
- Teriyaki: Replace the honey and soy sauce with 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce and a pinch of ground ginger.
- Sweet chilli and lime: Toss the cubes in 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce and the juice of half a lime for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Blackened: Skip the marinade. Coat the salmon in oil and 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, then cook at 200 °C for 6–7 minutes.
Troubleshooting
- The bites are dry and firm
- The pieces were too small or cooked too long. Cut cubes of at least 3 cm and start checking at 6 minutes.
- The marinade burns and smokes
- Let the excess drip off before cooking, and do not tip the leftover marinade into the basket. Pour it into a small pan and boil it for 2 minutes if you want a sauce.
- The pieces stick together or fall apart
- Do not overfill the basket, and leave out the shaking if the cubes are fragile. Turn them gently with tongs instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long do salmon bites take in an air fryer?
6–8 minutes at 200 °C for 3 cm cubes, turned or shaken halfway. Smaller 2 cm pieces need only 4–5 minutes.
Can you cook frozen salmon bites in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook them at 180 °C for 8–10 minutes, shaking twice. If the bites are ready-made and breaded, follow the pack and make sure they are steaming hot all the way through, at 75 °C.
Can I make air fryer salmon bites with the skin on?
It is easier without. Skin on cubes curl and cook unevenly. If you do cook them with skin, place them skin side down and add a minute.
What can I serve with salmon bites?
Rice and cucumber for a bowl, a dip such as sriracha mayonnaise, or a salad. Teriyaki, honey and garlic and a spicy mayonnaise are the most common flavours.
Can salmon bites be reheated?
Yes, at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes. Make sure they are steaming hot all the way through, and do not reheat them more than once.
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