Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Low-carb, Keto-friendly, and just plain delicious: Air Fryer Salmon Bites are a great protein option.

America’s love affair with air fryers is nothing new, but it is fun to find new ways to use them. The typical fries or hard-boiled eggs are staples of this small appliance. You may not have thought of “salmon” and “air fryer” in the same sentence, but give it a chance. These Air Fryer Salmon Bites are quick, healthy, and tasty.

Besides all of those great qualities, they are family friendly too. Easy enough for toddlers to manage as finger food, plain enough for kids of any age to enjoy, Air Fryer Salmon Bites are a great dinner option. For my two teenage boys who are active and always trying to get more healthy protein, the salmon bites are something they can make themselves and get all the benefits of salmon the superfood.

You will love the flavor and texture of this salmon. The outside gets perfectly crisp but not chewy, while the inside stays nice and moist, flaking just as salmon should. The seasoning blend gives the salmon enough of a flavor boost without being too spicy or overwhelming the natural taste of the fish. The size of the bites is a bonus – you can certainly enjoy these Air Fryer Salmon Bites as a main dish for dinner, but they can also be easy toppings for meal prep salads or power bowls for lunches.

Removing Salmon Skin: a quick how-to

While salmon skin is certainly edible, you want to remove it before cooking in this instance. That way your air fryer can crisp up all sides of the salmon pieces. To remove the skin before cooking, pat dry the salmon fillet with a paper towel. Place the fillet on a cutting board. Take a thin, sharp knife and carefully cut a small notch in the narrow end of the salmon, cutting away from the rest of the fillet. This creates a little handle. Holding on to the handle, simply flip your knife blade over to face the fillet. Keeping your blade as flat as possible, gently work your way down the rest of the way, holding on to the end you started at. This will gently release the meat up from the skin. Of course, if you need a visual aide, look up a video online – it is a quick, easy process to remove the skin before cooking!

Ingredients

1 lb salmon filets skinless and boneless
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp kosher salt

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Step 1: Cut the salmon into even bite-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.

Step 2: In a bowl, toss the salmon with olive oil and seasonings until well coated.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the salmon bites for 8 minutes, shaking halfway.

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Air Fryer Salmon Bites are so quick to make — really, the only make-ahead prep is to have the salmon skinned and cut up into pieces. Store the pieces in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before making (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and in an airtight container). Season and cook when you’re ready to serve. Any leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen in an airtight container. They keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen up to a month.

If my salmon is frozen, do I need to thaw beforehand?

Yes, you definitely need to start with non-frozen salmon. Never thaw salmon in the microwave. Submerge frozen salmon in cold water, replacing the water as it warms up. This method takes between 20-30 minutes.

Watch the salt!

Keep in mind that the recipe calls for lemon pepper seasoning with no salt added. If your lemon pepper seasoning contains salt, make sure you at least reduce, or even better, eliminate the kosher salt called for. Otherwise, you’ll be super thirsty afterward (plus all that sodium kind of cancels the many natural benefits in salmon!).

Don’t crowd your air fryer.

Given that the salmon pieces are fairly large and need to cook all the way through, make sure there is some space between each piece so that the air can flow during the cooking process. If need be, cook in batches so you’re able to position the pieces in a single layer with that crucial space around each chunk.

What sauce is good for dipping these bites?

Any premade tartar sauce or cocktail sauce is nice. TBH, the lemon wedges are enough for me. If you are in the mood for something a little fancier, try a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Whatever sauce you use, keep it light so the yummy salmon flavor can shine through.

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, Air Fryer Salmon Bites are so versatile! For dinner, they are delicious over rice alongside a steamed green veggie. For a super satisfying meal, try the bites atop our Broccoli Alfredo Pasta. So good! For lunch or the warmer months, Air Fryer Salmon Bites work beautifully on entree salads, such as our Best Greek Salad. And your littles may just like these bites on their own. Dipped in whatever sauce they like.