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Juicy salmon bites are packed with flavor thanks to a simple soy marinade, and ready in the air fryer (or skillet) in minutes! This salmon recipe is an easy way to bring seafood into the mix that’s delicious in rice bowls, salads, and more.
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer steak bites, next.

These tender and flaky salmon bites take less than 15 minutes to make in the air fryer and taste amazing with rice, noodles, salads, you name it. They’re tossed in a garlicky seasoning with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil. It’s such a simple marinade but it packs TONS of flavor! Like my original air fryer salmon recipe, these salmon bites are quick to cook and turn out perfectly juicy.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Bites Recipe
- Quick and easy. The air fryer has these salmon bites cooked to perfection in minutes. It’s mess-free, and an easy way to cook salmon that’s juicy and flaky every time.
- The best marinade. I use an irresistibly sweet-savory, Asian-inspired soy marinade for my salmon and it. Is. Amazing. Give your salmon bites a quick 15-minute soak before cooking or marinate them overnight for an easy, make-ahead meal.
- Adaptable. You can really use any marinade or seasoning that you like. I include some of my favorite salmon bite variations later on.
- The perfect add-on. These salmon bites are great as a main protein or as an add-on to countless meal ideas. Serve them with a side of rice or veggies, tuck them into tacos or wraps, or enjoy tender air fryer salmon bites with your choice of dipping sauce for a light appetizer.
What You’ll Need
Simple ingredients make this flavorful salmon recipe that much better! Here are some notes. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list of ingredients.
- Salmon – You’ll need to cut your salmon filets into small cubes. Sometimes I’ll ask my local fish counter to do this for me!
- Soy Sauce – I like to use low-sodium soy sauce. You can substitute soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos if needed.
- Olive Oil – Or another type of oil, like avocado oil.
- Rice Vinegar – You can also use white or red wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is best, but pre-crushed or dried garlic powder also works in a pinch.
- Sesame Oil – Sesame oil boosts the Asian-style flavors. You can replace the sesame oil in the marinade with olive oil (and vice versa), the taste will just be a bit different.
Change Up the Marinade
You can season your fish using any marinade you like. Marinate these salmon bites in teriyaki sauce, barbecue sauce, or the honey mustard marinade from my honey dijon chicken. The cooking method stays the same.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
The air fryer is my go-to method for cooking salmon bites because 1) it’s super quick (10 minutes or less!) and 2) it takes all of two steps, which I’ll share here. Scroll down to the recipe card for printable instructions.
- Marinate the salmon. First, you’ll add everything to a bowl and toss to coat. Place the salmon into the fridge to marinate (you can do this 15 minutes in advance or up to 1 day ahead).
- Cook. Add the salmon to your air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 6-7 minutes. Afterward, you’re ready to serve!
No Air Fryer?
I love my air fryer and can’t recommend them enough. If needed, though, you can easily make these salmon bites in a skillet instead. Prep your salmon as directed. Afterward, cook the marinated salmon in a pan over medium-high heat, for about 2-3 minutes per side until it’s cooked through.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Cooking times might vary. The exact air frying/cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your salmon pieces.
- Don’t overcook. Check salmon for doneness using an instant-read thermometer. You want the salmon bites to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145ºF.
- Spice things up. Try these bites seasoned with homemade Cajun seasoning.
- BBQ salmon. Toss your salmon bites in your favorite barbecue sauce. It tastes great in these barbecue salmon bowls! See below for more easy serving suggestions.
How to Serve Salmon Bites
Salmon bites are so versatile. The Asian-inspired flavors in this recipe taste great in rice bowls, with greens like bok choy, roasted edamame beans, or spinach served over fluffy white rice. You can also add salmon to stir-fry noodles, or turn them into fish tacos for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal.
For something lighter, try flaking your salmon pieces over a fresh green salad or crunchy Asian salad. Or, as an appetizer, I love dipping these salmon bites in the tarragon butter from my pan-seared salmon recipe, or something spicy, like hot honey. So yummy!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheat. These salmon bites are delicious cold, or you can warm them back up in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes at 350ºF.
More Quick Dinner Recipes
- Sweet Chipotle Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Chipotle Shrimp Tacos
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Taco Mac and Cheese
- Tofu Tacos
- Chick Fil A Cool Wrap
Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 1/4 pounds salmon, cut into bite sized cubes
- 3 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Place salmon pieces into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Gently mix to coat. Let the salmon marinate for 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes,
- Add salmon pieces to the hot air fryer, and cook for 6-7 minutes, depending on the size of your cubes. The internal temperature should be 145ºF.
- Remove and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use whichever seasoning you like and follow the same cooking method.
- No air fryer? Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to coat the pan. Add the salmon pieces and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I love the salty tang of these bites, and they came out perfectly. I made them with rice, and I will definitely be putting this one in my rotation!
I didn’t think I like salmon but I was just cooking it wrong. I love the soy sauce in this and it always cooks up perfectly.
This was delicious! I served it with rice and it was really good! I love the marinade too!
This was sooooo darn tasty. Really easy to make and the kids loved it. Thanks!
Salmon is my favorite fish and these bites did not disappoint at all!
These were so incredibly easy to make, and so flavorful and delicious! My kids loved them and asked to have them again.
Absolutely loved these salmon bites! They were so easy to make and tasted incredibly fresh. Perfect for a quick and healthy snack or appetizer.