Get your air fryers ready, because I have a recipe that will quickly become your new favorite: Air Fryer Salmon Bites! This dinner is easy to make, good for the whole family, and takes less time than choosing a movie for tonight. These incredible bites are coated with the most perfect spice rub and air-fried to absolute perfection. Totally versatile so add these to rice bowls, salads, or even tacos!.
Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, making it quick and easy to enjoy deliciously crispy foods without all the oil and mess of deep frying. When it comes to seafood, air fryers let you achieve the texture of fried fish without the greasiness. In particular, air fried salmon bites are a fast weeknight dinner win. But nailing the right cooking time ensures tender salmon inside with an amazingly crispy exterior.
This complete guide will tell you exactly how long to air fry salmon bites so that the outside is golden brown and the inside is moist and flaky. You’ll learn how to make perfect air-fried salmon every time, whether you’re making salmon bites as an appetizer or salmon for dinner.
Factors That Impact Salmon Air Fry Time
Several factors impact exactly how long to cook salmon bites in the air fryer, including:
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Thickness of the salmon: Chunks cut from a thicker salmon fillet will take longer than thinner bite-sized pieces.
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Size of the bites: bigger chunks of cubed salmon take longer to cook than smaller nugget-sized bites.
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Doneness preference: Cook longer for salmon flakes that are opaque throughout rather than translucent in the center.
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Quantity of salmon Overcrowding the air fryer basket will increase cook time
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Preparation method: Battered or breaded salmon takes longer than plain. Frozen salmon also requires a few extra minutes.
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Air fryer wattage Higher wattage air fryers cook faster than low wattage models. Check your manual.
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Personal taste: Some people prefer salmon extra crispy on the outside while others like it just lightly golden.
Now that we know what impacts cooking times, let’s look at exactly how long to air fry salmon to perfection.
Recommended Cook Times for Air Fried Salmon
These general air fryer cooking times work well for 1-inch salmon cubes or bite-sized pieces that aren’t breaded or battered:
- 8-10 minutes at 380°F for cubes
- 6-8 minutes at 400°F for smaller bites
To ensure even doneness, shake the air fryer basket halfway through cook time. Check thickness and increase time if needed.
For frozen salmon bites, add 2-3 extra minutes. Battered or breaded salmon takes 12-15 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway.
Always use an instant-read thermometer to confirm salmon is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. The fish should have an opaque, flaky appearance.
Below are more specific salmon air frying times based on different sizes and cuts.
Thin 1⁄2-Inch Salmon Fillets
- Whole fillets: 9-11 minutes at 380°F
- 3-inch portions: 7-9 minutes
- Bites: 5-7 minutes
Thick 1-Inch Salmon Fillets
- Whole fillets: 14-16 minutes
- 3-inch portions: 10-12 minutes
- Large cubes: 8-10 minutes
- Bites: 6-8 minutes
Thin 1⁄4-Inch Salmon Medallions
- Whole medallions: 7-8 minutes
- Halved: 5-6 minutes
Thick 3⁄4-Inch Salmon Medallions
- Whole medallions: 10-12 minutes
- Halved: 8-9 minutes
Pinbones/Belly With Skin
- Whole: 18-22 minutes
- Portions: 10-15 minutes
Follow these guidelines and test doneness early to determine the perfect air fry time for the thickness of your salmon.
Handy Tips for Air Frying Salmon Like a Pro
Take your air fried salmon game to the next level with these expert tips:
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Pat dry salmon before air frying for maximum browning.
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Lightly brush salmon with oil before air frying to prevent sticking.
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Cut salmon into same-sized pieces for even cooking.
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Give bites a quick pre-fry for extra crispy edges.
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Spray air fryer basket with oil for easier release.
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Flip salmon halfway through air fry time.
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Allow air flow space around pieces for ideal crispness.
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Use light breadcrumbs or flour for delicate coating.
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Season salmon simply to let flavor shine. Lemon pepper gives a tasty kick.
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Check thickness and adjust cook time as needed.
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Serve immediately for optimal texture and taste.
With the right cut, prep, and cook time, you’ll be air frying incredible salmon in no time.
Step-By-Step Air Fryer Salmon Bites
This easy recipe for crispy air fried salmon bites delivers tender salmon in a crazy addictive crunchy exterior everyone will love.
Time: 10 minutes prep, 6-8 minutes cook
Serving: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 lb salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions:
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Pat salmon cubes dry with paper towel. Place in bowl. Drizzle oil over top and toss to coat.
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In small bowl, mix together seasonings. Sprinkle seasoning over salmon cubes and toss gently until evenly coated.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Add salmon cubes in single layer, not overcrowded.
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Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through. Salmon should flakes easily when tested.
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Immediately transfer salmon bites to plate and squeeze fresh lemon over top. Enjoy!
Make this zesty air fryer salmon recipe on busy weeknights or to impress guests without tons of effort. You’ll love the combination of crispy edges with flaky, moist salmon inside. Play around with different seasonings like Old Bay, dill, or jerk to customize the flavor.
More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Air Fryer Salmon
While irresistible air fried salmon bites make an easy weeknight dinner, there are so many other delicious ways to cook salmon in the air fryer. Get creative with these fun recipes:
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Salmon burgers – Combine minced salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning, then shape into patties and air fry 8-10 minutes per side.
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Salmon cakes – Mix together canned salmon, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, and seasoning. Air fry small salmon cakes about 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Salmon skewers – Thread salmon chunks and veggies onto skewers and air fry 10-12 minutes until done. Brush with teriyaki sauce for added flavor.
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Sesame salmon – Coat salmon fillet pieces with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds then air fry over broccoli slaw mix for an easy rice bowl.
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Salmon and potatoes – Toss cubed salmon with potato wedges, olive oil, and herbs, then air fry together until crispy.
With your trusty air fryer, you can now enjoy fool-proof, fuss-free salmon any night of the week. Ditch the deep fryer and let your air fryer work its magic for fast salmon suppers packed with flavor. Armed with these handy cook times, you’ll be air frying tender, flaky salmon to perfection in no time.
Ways to enjoy Salmon Bites
- Main dish: One of my favorite meals is salmon bites with broccoli and potatoes. You could also easily switch it up with different vegetables. You don’t have to do much to prepare the sides while the salmon cooks.
- Salmon rice bowls have fresh salmon on top of a big bed of rice. It always hits the spot. My friend Krista’s salmon rice bowls with chimichurri are one of my favorite ways to use my air fryer salmon bites recipe. So good!.
- Salty salmon bites can be added to almost any salad and dressed with your favorite sauce. I am partial to salmon caesar salad currently!.
- Salmon Tacos: Put salmon bites on tortilla shells and top them with THIS SLAW from my recipe for crunch fish tacos. It’s so good.
- Starter: These little babies could be served with a toothpick and a dipping sauce like tartar sauce or sriracha mayo. It would be a little different, but I’d be okay with it!
- If using fresh salmon ensure that it is truly fresh. If it’s marked up around the edges or smells bad, throw it away.
- If you use frozen salmon, make sure to let it thaw overnight in the fridge in a container with a lid. It can also be put in a bag and put in COLD water for 30 minutes. Add new COLD water and freeze it again for 30 minutes. If it’s still frozen after that, do it again. Check the water often to make sure it never gets warm.
- If you want to make it more southwestern, serve it with lime or fresh lemon. Lemon and lime juice make this recipe taste so much better.
How to store and reheat Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Storage: Put any leftover air-fried salmon in a container that won’t let air in and put it in the fridge. You can keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Just heat up the air fryer before putting the salmon chunks in it and cooking them at 365 degrees for two to three minutes.
Air Fried Salmon Bites!
FAQ
What temperature should I set my air fryer for salmon?
Do you have to flip salmon in air fryer?
Does salmon stick to air fryer?
How long do you cook salmon bites in an air fryer?
Spray the basket with cooking spray and add the salmon bites in a single layer. Using the air fry setting, cook the bites for 7 minutes. When they’re done, they will be cooked through in the middle and slightly charred on the edges. Seven minutes might seem like a short cook time, but don’t worry, you won’t end up with raw fish.
How long does it take to air Fry salmon?
Use your hands to toss the cubes with the spice mix and a bit of oil. Let the Air Fryer Work Its Magic: Preheat that air fryer to 400°F. Dump your seasoned salmon into the basket and give those bites some room to get crispy! Air fry for roughly 8 minutes (or 6-7 minutes if you prefer medium).
How do you reheat salmon in an air fryer?
Reheat: The best way is to reheat salmon bites in the air fryer at 300 degrees F (or the lowest temperature that your air fryer allows) for about 2 minutes. Since they are already crispy and golden, higher temperatures tend to burn the outside. Watch carefully to avoid drying out.
What are air fryer salmon bites?
For a fishy snack, appetizer, or dinner that is easy to make, air fryer salmon bites are a great option. Made with fresh salmon and a very simple marinade using common ingredients, these bites are lightly crispy on the outside, juicy and flaky on the inside, and wonderfully dippable for a fun eating experience!