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Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These Air Fryer Salmon Bites with creamy Bang Bang Sauce are one of those recipes that quickly become part of the regular dinner rotation. They're ready in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights. Each bite is perfectly crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and packed with incredible flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon Marinade:

  • 1.5 lbs salmon center-cut, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or toasted sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp lime juice

Instructions
 

  • Make the marinade — In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
    2. Prep the salmon — Cut salmon into uniform 1-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Pour the marinade over the salmon and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for up to 30 minutes — do not exceed this as the lemon juice will break down the texture.
    3. Arrange in air fryer — Place salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
    4. Cook — Set air fryer to 400°F and cook for 7–10 minutes. Optionally shake or flip halfway through. Salmon is done when the outside is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
    5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce — While salmon cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and adjust spice level as preferred.
    6. Rest and serve — Let salmon bites rest for 3–5 minutes. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

💡 Cut evenly. The more uniform your salmon pieces, the more consistently they'll cook. Pull out any smaller pieces early if needed.
💡 Don't skip the rest. Letting the salmon sit for 3–5 minutes after cooking keeps the juices locked in and improves texture.
💡 Marinate wisely. 30 minutes is the max. Lemon juice is acidic and will make the salmon mushy if left too long.
💡 Know your air fryer. Every model runs differently. Check at the 7-minute mark the first time you make this.
💡 Make it a bowl. Serve over rice and load up with avocado, edamame, shredded cabbage, pickled onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime for a full meal.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Bang bang sauce keeps separately for up to 1 week. Reheat salmon in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes. To freeze, cool completely, wrap in foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
 

Nutrition (per serving, estimated):

 
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Protein: 34g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Sodium: 620mg