Life Made Useful

Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Recipe Overview

These Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites are an easy, flavorful salmon dinner made with tender bite-size pieces of salmon coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. First, the salmon is seasoned simply and air fried until lightly crisp around the edges. Then, the cooked salmon is tossed with a glossy homemade honey garlic sauce for a quick finishing touch.

As a result, every bite is tender, flaky, lightly caramelized, and full of sweet and savory flavor. Plus, because the salmon is cut into small cubes, it cooks much faster than a full salmon fillet. Therefore, this recipe is especially helpful for busy weeknights, easy rice bowls, simple salads, tacos, or a protein-packed dinner with vegetables.

For help choosing a reliable model for easy recipes like this, take a look at our guide: The Best Air Fryers for Beginners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • First, it uses simple ingredients you may already have at home.
  • Additionally, the salmon cooks in about 6–8 minutes in the air fryer.
  • Because the salmon is cut into bite-size pieces, it cooks quickly and evenly.
  • Meanwhile, the honey garlic sauce adds a sweet, savory, garlicky flavor without requiring a complicated marinade.
  • As a result, the salmon becomes lightly crisp around the edges while staying tender in the center.
  • Plus, it works well for rice bowls, salads, tacos, vegetables, or simple weeknight dinners.
  • Finally, you can easily adjust the sauce with extra spice, more garlic, or a little extra sweetness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon sliced green onions, optional, for serving
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional, for serving
  • Cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa, optional, for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
  3. Remove the skin if needed, then cut the salmon into evenly sized 1-inch cubes.
  4. Next, add the salmon pieces to a medium bowl.
  5. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil.
  6. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  7. Gently toss until the salmon pieces are evenly coated.
  8. Meanwhile, add the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil to a small saucepan.
  9. Whisk the sauce ingredients together over medium-low heat.
  10. In a separate small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
  11. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan.
  12. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce slightly thickens.
  13. Remove the sauce from the heat.
  14. Then, place the seasoned salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  15. Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed so the salmon can crisp evenly.
  16. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through cooking.
  17. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest pieces, looks opaque in the center, and flakes easily with a fork.
  18. Carefully transfer the cooked salmon bites to a clean bowl.
  19. Finally, drizzle the warm honey garlic sauce over the salmon bites.
  20. Gently toss until evenly coated.
  21. Serve warm with green onions, sesame seeds, rice, vegetables, or your favorite bowl toppings.

Helpful Tips

  • First, use center-cut salmon fillets when possible because they are usually thicker and more even in size.
  • Next, cut the salmon into similar-size cubes so every piece cooks at the same rate.
  • Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or the salmon may steam instead of getting lightly crisp around the edges.
  • Because smaller salmon cubes can cook quickly, check the salmon early, especially if your air fryer runs hot.
  • For the best texture, add the honey garlic sauce after air frying instead of coating the salmon in it before cooking.
  • Finally, use an instant-read thermometer in one of the larger salmon pieces to make sure it reaches 145°F without overcooking.

Recipe Variations

  • For spicy honey garlic salmon bites, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.
  • Alternatively, for a sweeter version, add an extra tablespoon of honey.
  • For a teriyaki-style version, replace the lemon juice with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar. Then, add 1 extra teaspoon sesame oil.
  • For lemon garlic salmon bites, skip the honey and soy sauce. Instead, toss the cooked salmon with melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley.
  • Likewise, for blackened salmon bites, season the salmon with blackened seasoning before air frying and serve it with a creamy lime sauce.
  • Finally, instead of serving the salmon over rice, use it in lettuce wraps, tacos, salads, grain bowls, or alongside roasted vegetables.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites pair well with white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli, steamed green beans, sautéed spinach, roasted asparagus, cucumber salad, edamame, avocado, shredded carrots, or a simple cabbage slaw.

In addition, these salmon bites are especially good in a rice bowl with avocado, cucumber, green onions, and extra honey garlic sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When possible, keep any extra sauce in a separate container. Then, reheat the salmon in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–4 minutes or microwave it at lower power in short intervals until warmed through. However, avoid overheating the salmon because it can dry out quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen salmon for air fryer salmon bites?
Yes. However, thaw the salmon completely in the refrigerator first. Then, pat it dry very well before cutting, seasoning, and air frying.

Do I need to remove the salmon skin?
Yes, it is best to remove the skin for salmon bites. This helps the salmon cook more evenly. Additionally, it makes the pieces easier to toss in the sauce.

How do I know when air fryer salmon bites are done?
Salmon bites are done when they reach 145°F in the thickest piece, look opaque in the center, and flake easily with a fork.

Can I make these salmon bites without soy sauce?
Yes. Instead, you can use coconut aminos. For a lower-sodium option, choose reduced-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos.

Why are my salmon bites dry?
Salmon bites can dry out if they are cut too small or air fried too long. Therefore, start checking them around 6 minutes. Then, remove them as soon as they reach 145°F.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. However, for the best texture, cut and air fry the salmon shortly before serving.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
Rest Time: None
Total Time: 16–18 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon sliced green onions, optional, for serving
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional, for serving

Instructions

  1. First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon dry, remove the skin if needed, and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Next, toss the salmon with olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  4. Meanwhile, add the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  5. Stir together the cornstarch and water in a separate bowl.
  6. Then, add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
  7. Place the seasoned salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  8. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through cooking.
  9. The salmon is done when it reaches 145°F, looks opaque, and flakes easily with a fork.
  10. Finally, transfer the cooked salmon to a clean bowl and gently toss with the warm honey garlic sauce.
  11. Serve warm with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Storage: Store leftover Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–4 minutes or microwave at lower power in short intervals until warmed through.