Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites make a fresh, restaurant-inspired meal you can easily pull together for a simple lunch or weeknight dinner. Bite-sized pieces of salmon marinate in a homemade teriyaki sauce, then cook in the air fryer until the edges are perfectly crispy while the inside stays tender and flaky.
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: approximately 50 minutes (including time to marinate)
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: bowl and whisk
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 8
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Salmon bites are one of my favorite ways to prepare salmon because they cook quickly, have plenty of surface area for flavor, and are easier to serve in bowls than a full fillet.
- The air fryer is hands-down one of the best ways to cook salmon and other varieties of fish. It’s easy to prep, clean, and monitor the fish, yielding flaky, tender results.
- These tasty, perfectly cooked salmon bites are simple enough for a weeknight, yet make a gourmet-style meal when served in a bowl with rice and veggies.
- Salmon is packed with health benefits, and when paired with rice and veggies, you can enjoy a nutritious, balanced meal that only takes minutes to assemble.
- The marinade doesn’t require hours of prep in advance. Just let the salmon bites sit for 15-30 minutes for the most delicious, sweet and savory flavor. Then turn the leftover marinade into a sticky, restaurant-worthy glaze to drizzle when serving!
Why use the air fryer for salmon?
The air fryer is such a great choice for cooking salmon and other seafood because it’s easy to time it just right without risking overcooking in a skillet or the oven. It keeps the mess to a minimum and gives you flaky, tender results!
Why make salmon bites in the air fryer?
The air fryer is ideal for salmon bites because it creates lightly crisp edges while keeping the center tender and flaky. Since the bites are cut into smaller cubes, there is plenty of room for the heat to circulate and crisp up each bite.
Ingredients Needed
Salmon
- Salmon fillet – For salmon bites, look for salmon fillets with the skin removed, then cut them into 1-inch cubes. Skinless fillets make it super convenient to cut into smaller pieces and save time on prep, whether before serving or at the table. I usually find skinless frozen salmon at Aldi.
Marinade
- Low-sodium soy sauce – Soy sauce makes up the base of the teriyaki marinade, and a low-sodium version keeps it from being overly salty.
- Honey – Honey adds sweetness and some thickness to the marinade which enables it to coat every piece of salmon. Use a local or raw honey for best results and to reduce any added sweeteners.
- Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar is a teriyaki staple, as its acidity balances the sweet and savory flavors and adds depth.
- Sesame oil – Another staple in Asian-inspired cooking, sesame oil adds a deep flavor and thoroughly coats and lightly browns the salmon bites.
- Garlic, minced – Minced garlic is perfect for adding to a marinade since the finely diced pieces integrate evenly. Garlic adds savory depth and pairs well with the other flavors.
- Freshly grated ginger – It doesn’t take much fresh ginger to add incredible flavor! Grate about 1 teaspoon of ginger to develop the most potent flavor in the marinade.
- Cornstarch slurry – Combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of water to use at the end to develop a glossy glaze that adheres to every bite.
How To Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Whisk all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Toss the salmon cubes with marinade and let them sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Reserve excess marinade.
- Place the salmon cubes in the air fryer in a single layer, without overcrowding the basket (cook in batches if necessary).
- Air fry at 400℉ for approximately 7-9 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
- While the salmon cooks, simmer the reserved marinade in a small saucepan. (I always cook the reserved marinade before using it as a glaze since it was in contact with raw fish.)
- Add a cornstarch slurry made with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Simmer the marinade until it thickens and becomes a glossy glaze.
- Toss the salmon bites in glaze or drizzle over top when serving.
Pro Tips
- I try to cut the salmon into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Perfect cubes aren’t necessary, but keeping them close in size helps prevent some pieces from overcooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The salmon cubes should be arranged in a single layer so the hot air can circulate around each piece.
- I usually don’t flip the salmon bites during cooking. The air fryer cooks them evenly enough without the extra step.
- Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout. It’s better to check early than to overcook it.
- Salmon should reach an internal temperature of 145℉, but it is common to remove it from the heat slightly prior, since the temperature will continue to rise.
- The glaze is worth the extra few minutes because it gives the salmon that sticky, restaurant-style teriyaki finish.
- These salmon bites are best served immediately while the edges are still slightly crisp.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- I prefer using skinless salmon for this recipe because it’s easier to cube and toss with the glaze after cooking. I usually find this kind frozen at Aldi. You can also purchase fresh fillets and remove the skin as needed.
- Frozen salmon works well, but it should be fully thawed and patted dry before marinating. Fresh salmon is also easy enough to cube and marinate!
- For a gluten-free marinade, use a gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
How To Serve Air Fryer Salmon Bites
My favorite way to serve teriyaki salmon bites is in a fluffy Jasmine Rice bowl with diced cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds because it turns a simple protein into a complete meal. The fresh vegetables balance the sweet and savory teriyaki flavors and add texture to the bowl, while making it a light yet filling meal!
Add an appetizer or side such as a crunchy slaw or Air Fryer Pot Stickers.
The leftover salmon bites are also a delicious choice for lunch the next day, especially when served cold or gently reheated in a rice bowl or a salad.
Garnishes
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Freshly-chopped cilantro
- Red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili crisp
- Kimchi or seaweed salad
- A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice
Sauce Variations
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha sauce
- Sriracha Mayo
- Yum Yum Sauce
Salmon Bowl
A salmon bowl typically includes fluffy white or brown rice and a variety of fresh, zesty toppings to complement the salmon. The most common elements are:
- diced cucumber
- sliced avocado
- shredded carrots
- edamame
- green onions or cilantro
- sesame seeds
- and a drizzle of the extra teriyaki glaze or another sauce like spicy mayo.
For lower-carb options, feel free to swap the rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa!
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store leftover salmon bites in the fridge for up to 3 days, separately from other toppings or bowl ingredients to maintain freshness.
Freezer
Freeze leftover salmon bites in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag for up to 2 months, keeping them stored separately from other ingredients. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
To reheat, warm the salmon bites in the air fryer again at 350℉ for 3-4 minutes until heated through. I prefer this option in order to restore some of the original crispiness. You can also reheat briefly in the microwave, but the texture will be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best salmon to use for salmon bites?
The best option is skinless salmon because it’s easy to cut into small bites for the air fryer. Use fresh or frozen salmon – it’s usually easiest to find skinless salmon already frozen.
How long do you marinate salmon bites?
You don’t need to marinate the salmon bites very long. Even a short 15-30 minute marinade adds plenty of flavor! I don’t find that longer marinating makes a significant difference.
How do you keep salmon bites from sticking to the air fryer?
To prevent sticking in the air fryer, you can add a light spray of oil to the air fryer basket or tray, or use an appropriately sized parchment paper liner.
Can I freeze salmon bites?
Yes, you can freeze salmon bites in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months, with excess air removed.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1½ pounds salmon fillet skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Whisk all marinade ingredients in a bowl
- Toss salmon cubes with marinade and let them sit for 15-30 minutes
- Reserve excess marinade
- Place the salmon cubes in the air fryer in a single layer, without overcrowding the basket (cook in batches if necessary).
- Air fry at 400℉ for approximately 7-9 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
- While the salmon cooks, simmer the reserved marinade in a small saucepan.
- Add a cornstarch slurry made with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Simmer the marinade until it thickens and becomes a glossy glaze.
- Toss the salmon bites in glaze or drizzle over top when serving.
Notes
- Store leftover salmon bites in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days, separately from any toppings or other ingredients to maintain freshness.
- Freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag and thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Leftovers can be served warm or cold. To reheat, warm in the air fryer at 350℉ for 3-4 minutes to restore some crispiness, or reheat briefly in the microwave (the texture will be softer).
- Cut the salmon into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding so the heat can circulate properly.
- No need to flip the salmon bites during cooking.
- Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout. Check it early rather than risk overcooking.
- The salmon bites are best served immediately while the edges are still slightly crisp.
