These crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites deliver restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, these tender, protein-packed morsels offer 23g of protein per serving while keeping the fat content reasonable at 17g.
The air fryer creates a beautiful golden exterior while maintaining the salmon’s natural moisture. Whether you’re meal prepping or serving dinner, these bite-sized pieces make healthy eating both convenient and delicious.
Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets (1 lb): Cut into 1-inch cubes for perfect bite-sized portions
- Olive Oil (1 Tbsp): Helps seal in moisture and adds flavor
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for a flavorful crust
- For Remoulade Sauce:
- Mayonnaise (1/2 cup): Creates a creamy base
- Stone Ground Mustard (1 Tbsp): Adds texture and tanginess
- Milk (2 tsp): Helps achieve perfect consistency
- Additional Flavorings: Horseradish, celery seed, onion powder, parsley, vinegar, paprika, and cayenne for depth
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat air fryer to 350°F for optimal cooking temperature
- Make Remoulade: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld
- Prep Salmon: Remove skin, cut into uniform cubes, coat with oil and seasonings for even cooking
- Air Fry: Cook in a single layer at 350°F for 6-7 minutes, turning halfway for perfect crispiness
- Serve: Arrange salmon bites with chilled remoulade sauce for dipping
Cooking Tips
The key to perfect salmon bites is getting that golden crust while keeping the inside tender! Cut your salmon pieces as evenly as possible – this helps them cook at the same rate.
If you notice the bites cooking too quickly, you can lower the temperature to 325°F. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork but still looks slightly glossy in the center.
Easy Swaps
Don’t have all the remoulade ingredients? No problem! You can make a quick dip using just mayo, mustard, and a dash of hot sauce.
For the salmon seasoning, regular paprika works instead of smoked. If you’re watching sodium, try using lemon pepper seasoning instead of salt. And if you prefer a different fish, this recipe works great with firm white fish like cod or halibut too!
Serving Ideas
These tasty bites make the best appetizers! Serve them on a platter with lemon wedges and extra remoulade sauce for dipping.
Want to make it a meal? Add them to a fresh salad, serve over rice with steamed veggies, or stuff them in warm pita bread with crispy lettuce. They’re also amazing in fish tacos with crunchy slaw!
Storage Tips
Keep leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The remoulade sauce stays fresh for about 5 days when refrigerated.
When reheating, pop them in the air fryer for just 1-2 minutes at 325°F – any longer might dry them out. For best results, bring the remoulade to room temperature before serving leftovers.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 lb salmon fillets
- 1 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Remoulade
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon stone ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Remoulade Sauce: Mix all ingredients in a bowl then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prep Salmon: Remove skin from salmon, if necessary, and cut into uniform 1-inch cubes. Add to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, gently tossing to coat.
- Air Fry: Spray air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray and add salmon in a single layer, spread apart. Air fry at 350 degrees F for about 6-7 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking, until they gently flake with a fork.
- Serve with remoulade on the side, for dipping.
