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Air fryer salmon bites on a plate with rice and Brussels sprouts and topped with sesame seeds.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

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Air Fryer Salmon Bites are irresistibly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Packed with flavor, they are easy to make in less than 15 minutes with simple spices! Serve them as your main protein with sides or as an appetizer with dipping sauce.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 209
Author Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 pound salmon skin removed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons avocado or olive oil

Instructions

  • If salmon has skin on, with a sharp knife, carefully remove the skin. I can usually slice a little at one of the sides and then gently pull the skin off, so as not to remove too much of the flesh with the skin. The skin will sometimes leave a bit of gray color on the actual flesh - don't worry about removing this.
  • Gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes.
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, seasonings, and cornstarch, pressing out any clumps for an even mix.
  • In a medium to large bowl, coat the salmon cubes with the spices and oil, using your hands to ensure everything is well mixed.
  • Place the salmon pieces in the air fryer and spread them out slightly to avoid overlapping as best that you can. Air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes. No flipping necessary! If you like your salmon more done, you can add 1-2 minutes.

Video

Notes

  • Thick cut center filets work better than thin end pieces. You can usually find boneless, skinless salmon filets at Trader Joe’s, Target and other grocery stores. If you’re purchasing from seafood counter, you can ask them to remove the skin before packaging it for you.
  • This amount of spice mix will work for anywhere from 1 to 1.5 pounds of salmon.
  • I don’t recommend marinating the salmon for this recipe. When I tried letting it sit with the spices, it didn’t make a noticeable difference in flavor. If you want to prep ahead, I suggest cutting the salmon and mixing the spices in advance, then tossing everything together just before cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 585mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 366IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg