Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites

When it’s beautiful outside, the last thing I want to do is sit in the kitchen for hours and cook. Turning the oven on is a no go, and sometimes, I don’t even feel like sitting in front of the hot grill. I want easy, yummy, and quick – that way I can get back to splashing in the pool with my boys! These Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites were garlicky, juicy, and delicious AF! These were so easy to make – like truly hassle free! Served with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite sauces and sides, these are a really great option for a fuss free meal! They’re also low carb and full of protein. Nice and light!

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Where does the idea for salmon bites come from?

While salmon bites may seem modern, trendy, and TikTok heavy – they actually have deep roots deriving from Indigenous communities in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Salmon was often cut into small pieces, then smoked, dried, and preserved. The pieces were brined and cold-smoked for days, and these practices go back thousands of years. Long before social media and air fryers existed!

Did you know?

Salmon is one of the only foods that’s naturally rich in all four fat types! This includes omega-3s, omega-6s, saturated, and monounsaturated fats, which are all part of a healthy human diet! The pink color in salmon comes from something called astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant. It’s actually the same pigment that makes flamingos pink. Isn’t that wild?!

Regularly eating salmon is also linked to having an improved mood and better memory! Clearly, this fish is fantastic for you – and the good news is, it’s usually pretty budget friendly to get a decent portion of it.

What ingredients do I need?

For the crispy air fryer salmon bites:

Salmon Fillet
Olive Oil
Garlic
Parmesan Cheese
Paprika
Italian Seasoning
Salt
Black Pepper
Lemon Zest
Cooking Spray

For serving:

Lemon Wedges
Parsley

What equipment do I need?

• Air Fryer
• Cutting Board
• Chef Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Mixing Bowls
• Cheese Grater
• Whisk
• Paper Towel
• Fish Spatula

How do I make it?

To prep the ingredients:

To get started on this recipe, first we’ll want to wash the herbs and the lemon. Dry the lemon off, then zest some of it and slice the rest for wedges. Next, mince the parsley and the garlic, then shred the parmesan cheese.

To prep the salmon:

Pat the salmon very dry and using a very sharp chef knife, cut it into large chunks, leaving the skin on.

Add the olive oil, garlic, shredded parmesan cheese, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl, then whisk to combine.

Rub the mixture all over the salmon chunks, massaging the oil and spices into the flesh. Now, let’s preheat the air fryer and cook these bad boys!

To make the crispy air fryer salmon bites:

Let the salmon bites sit out at room temperature while you preheat the air fryer to 400 F for a few minutes.

Pro Tip: Leaving the salmon out at room temperature like this helps to ensure even cooking! Preheating the air fryer also helps to create a crispy skinned salmon!

Next, lightly grease the air fryer basket, then add the salmon skin side down, ensuring there’s enough space in between the pieces.

Cook the salmon bites for several minutes, working in batches if needed. Once they are crispy and can easily be flaked with a fork, remove from the air fryer basket using a fish spatula or a tong.

Pro Tip: That crispy salmon skin and flesh is very delicate, so take your time removing these from the air fryer basket!

Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients if you needed to work in batches.

To serve:

Serve crispy salmon air fryer bites with freshly minced parsley garnished on top and lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy with your favorite sides and sauces, if desired.

These are also awesome as is, no sauce is needed!

Tips:

• It’s pretty easy to tell when your salmon is done, but if desired, you can always temp it with a meat thermometer. We’re looking for a range of 130-145 F, depending on your preference.
• I would start checking your salmon after about 7 minutes, since we don’t want them to overcook and all air fryers work a bit differently.
• These salmon bites will keep for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these too. Just bake them at 425 F for about 12-15 minutes.

Need some side and dip ideas for these?

• Cilantro Lime Crema
• Bacon Caesar Salad
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Looking for more air fryer snack recipes?

• Air Fryer Nachos
• Hot Wings
• Carrot Chips