Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Recipe
Add some flair to your dinner routine with this delightful crispy salmon bites recipe, featuring tender pieces of fish seasoned to perfection. With this quick and easy recipe, you can impress your guests and become a party star in no time 😏.
Are you looking for a delicious and flavorful salmon recipe that will leave your taste buds craving more? Look no further than this mouthwatering salmon cubes recipe! Packed with bold flavors and served in bite-sized pieces, these delectable treats will surely be a hit at any gathering, as a delightful snack, or as a main dish. And, in my house, even my kiddos didn’t object to eating them. Maybe they reminded them of the beloved Chicken Nuggets 😊.
Whether you’re hosting a party or simply looking to elevate your culinary skills, this easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through creating an irresistible dish that combines the richness of salmon with an explosion of tantalizing tastes. Get ready to impress with every bite!
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites
If you decide to take your health under control, one of the first steps you should take is to eat more fish and reduce the intake of red meat. You can find more on this topic in my How to Start Eating Clean for Beginners post. And salmon makes a great starting point in consuming your favorite proteins. Combining it with the healthy air-frying cooking method, you get a perfect recipe for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Because, who wants to spend their valuable spare time in the kitchen, right?
Salmon is a highly nutritious fish that offers many health benefits. Here is the list of some:
- Rich in healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These essential fatty acids have been shown to support heart health, reduce inflammation, and improve brain function.
- Rich in Protein: Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is essential for maintaining and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and regulating various body functions.
- Excellent Source of Vitamin D: Salmon is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D, essential for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb fresh salmon fillets
- 1 cup breadcrumbs – preferably Panko for better crunchiness. If you were wondering, like I did, what is the difference between Panko and regular breadcrumbs, find the answer in my Easy Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – you can use fresh garlic here, but the powder is easier to mix with other seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Optional: You can add Cajun seasoning as well or onion powder.
Step-by-step Instructions on Preparing These Air Fry Salmon Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Start by preparing the salmon fillets. Remove any skin or bones from the fish if necessary, then cut it into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure they are as dry as possible.
Step 2: Create the Breadcrumb Mixture
Mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow medium bowl. This mixture will give your salmon bites an incredible flavor and texture.
Step 3: Coat the Salmon Bites
Spray salmon pieces with olive oil (or, if preferred, use avocado oil or any other cooking spray you choose). Dip each piece of salmon into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides. Press gently to make sure the crumbs adhere well to each piece.
Step 4: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to around 400 degrees f (200 degrees c) for about five minutes. This step ensures that your salmon bites cook evenly and become crispy on the outside. The temperature depends on the type of air fryer you have. Mine is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature of around 375 degrees f.
Step 5: Cook in Air Fryer
Place the coated salmon bites in a single layer inside the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Make sure not to overcrowd them; this allows hot air circulation for even cooking.
Cook for approximately eight minutes or until golden brown on all sides. You may need to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and transfer them onto a plate lined with paper towels. This helps absorb any excess oil and keeps them crispy.
Serve your ultimate salmon bites immediately while still hot. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice over them for extra flavor. They are perfect as a great appetizer, snack, or even a complete meal when served over a rice bowl.
Consider serving your air fryer salmon bites with a delicious dipping sauce. Some popular options include tartar sauce, teriyaki sauce, lemon-dill sauce, aioli, dill and sour cream creamy sauce, or a sweet chili sauce. You can also sprinkle spicy mayo or soy sauce over these tasty garlic bite-sized salmon pieces.
Add some fresh dill for an extra burst of flavor if desired. You can pair them with a side salad or roasted vegetables, such as Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots with Onion and Zucchini.
Another great option is to make salmon tacos using these delicious bite-size pieces. I am a huge fan of tacos! My husband always jokes that if the restaurant has tacos on the menu, I don’t have to waste time looking at what else is there. And he’s right! I always pick tacos 😂!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some tasty dishes that pair well with these deliciously seasoned salmon bites:
Easy Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Quick Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes with Cinnamon
Best Quick Air Fryer Corn on the Cob Recipe
Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots with Onion and Zucchini
Easy Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Sea Salt
Simple Stir-Fry Broccoli without Meat
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature. This step is crucial for even cooking and prevents the salmon from getting overcooked to reach the desired internal temperature. Avoid overcrowding: Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray. Leave enough space between the salmon pieces to circulate the hot air around them, ensuring even cooking. Check for doneness: About halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and check the salmon’s internal temperature. You want the pieces to reach an internal temperature of around 145°F (63°C). If it hasn’t reached that temperature yet, continue cooking, checking every minute to avoid overcooking.
My Air Fryer is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature set to around 375 degrees f. If you have a digital air fryer, set it to 400 degrees f and check the salmon bites after 4 minutes. It should take between 8 and 12 minutes to be fully cooked, depending on the type of air fryer. Mine took about 8 minutes to cook and reach the perfect crispiness thoroughly.
If you like this recipe, here are some other great options to try:
- Almond Flour Tomato Fritters (Easy Pan-Fried)
- How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges (with Adobo Seasoning)
- Salmon Rice Bowl with Roasted Pepper Aioli Sauce
- Mediterranean Oven-Baked Branzini with Vegetables
- Easy and Healthy Shrimp and Grits with Prosciutto
- Baked Feta Pasta with Smoked Salmon Recipe
- Easy Baked Cod with Fried Rice
- Salmon Asparagus Pasta
Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fresh fillet
- 1 cup breadcrumbs Panko
- 1/4 cup Parmesan grated
- 1 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by preparing the salmon fillets. Remove any skin or bones from the fish if necessary, then cut it into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure they are as dry as possible.
- Mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow medium bowl. This mixture will give your salmon bites an incredible flavor and texture.
- Spray salmon pieces with olive oil (or, if preferred, use avocado oil or any other cooking spray you choose). Dip each piece of salmon into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides. Press gently to make sure the crumbs adhere well to each piece.
- Preheat your air fryer to around 400 degrees f (200 degrees c) for about five minutes. This step ensures that your salmon bites cook evenly and become crispy on the outside. The temperature depends on the type of air fryer you have. Mine is Cuisinart Compact, which has a manual temperature set, and what worked for me was the temperature of around 375 degrees f.
- Place the coated salmon bites in a single layer inside the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Make sure not to overcrowd them; this allows hot air circulation for even cooking.
- Cook for approximately eight minutes or until golden brown on all sides. You may need to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Once cooked, remove the salmon bites from the air fryer and transfer them onto a plate lined with paper towels. This helps absorb any excess oil and keeps them crispy.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Serve your ultimate salmon bites immediately while still hot. Squeeze fresh lemon juice or lime juice over them for extra flavor. They are perfect as a great appetizer, snack, or even a complete meal when served over a rice bowl.
- Consider serving your air fryer salmon bites with a delicious dipping sauce. Some popular options include tartar sauce, teriyaki sauce, lemon-dill sauce, aioli, dill and sour cream creamy sauce, or a sweet chili sauce. You can also sprinkle spicy mayo or soy sauce over these tasty garlic bite-sized salmon pieces.
- Breadcrumbs – preferably Panko for better crunchiness.
- Garlic powder – you can use fresh garlic here, but the powder is easier to mix with other seasonings.
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Optional: You can add Cajun seasoning as well or onion powder.
- Add some fresh dill for an extra burst of flavor if desired.
