Make Air fryer Salmon Bites with just 5 minutes of cooking and enjoy a deliciously citrusy dinner any night of the week. These well-seasoned salmon bites are a delight in every bite and will be a treat for your whole family!
Lemon Pepper Salmon in a Snackable Size
I'm not a big fish person, but if there's one fish I love, it's salmon. More specifically, lemon pepper salmon. After baking it in the oven for years and then air frying it whole for a while, now I'm cutting it into pieces for an even better seasoning to salmon ratio.
These salmon bites have the same amazing flavor, there's just more of it - and it cooks even faster. So if you're after a quick weeknight dinner (just 5 minutes of cooking!), this one is for you.
The heavy seasoning means they're delicious without a sauce - but they're even better paired with a cooling dip like avocado sour cream sauce. Or turn them into salmon bowls with creamy rice, garlic roasted broccoli and whipped feta.
Lots of Flavor From Just a Few Ingredients
What Salmon to Use
Salmon fillets without skin are the easiest to use for this recipe, but you can also buy with the skin and just remove it. Or buy a whole side of salmon (often cheaper) and go from there.
Frozen salmon works just as well as fresh. Either thaw fully before cooking, or just enough to cut into pieces. If using partly frozen salmon, add 1 minute to the cook time
If you have frozen salmon but don't have time to thaw it at all, follow this guide for cooking frozen salmon instead.
About the Seasoning
If you can't find lemon pepper, you can use another citrusy spice mix. Sometimes you can find something called citrus pepper instead, this is just as good. Trader Joe's Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend is also amazing for this recipe.
How to Make Them in 2 Simple Steps
1. Season
Mix salmon pieces with lemon juice and lemon pepper. Either cook straight away, or allow to marinate for up to 15 minutes.
2. Cook
Spread out in your air fryer basket and air fry 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Do not shake or mix while cooking. Attempting to mix before the salmon has finished cooking on the bottom will make the salmon break apart as the outside will stick to the air fryer basket.
Top Tips for the Best Salmon Bites
Marinate up to 15 minutes for increased flavor. Don't go over 15 minutes as the lemon juice will then start to break down the salmon too much.
Cook in a single layer. If you run out of space, cook in batches
Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to know when the salmon bites are done. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
If you don't have a meat thermometer, cut into a piece. If the inside is white and flaky, or with just a slight pink center, it is done.
Exact time can vary. This will depend on how big you cut your bites as well as your specific air fryer.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating
Salmon is always best consumed just after cooking, but it is possible to store leftovers as well.
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing leftovers.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 2 minutes.
Sides to Serve It With
- Creamy Rice with Butter & Chicken Broth30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon20 Minutes
- 10-Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta10 Minutes
- Air Fryer Frozen Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts15 Minutes
Sauces to Serve It With
- Whipped Feta with Garlic & Basil (Tyrosalata)5 Minutes
- 5-minute Lime Aioli from Scratch5 Minutes
- Chipotle Ranch5 Minutes
- Avocado Sour Cream Sauce35 Minutes
Recipe
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Print RateIngredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet without skin, cut in bite-size (1-inch / 2.5 cm) cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral cooking oil
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1.5 tablespoon lemon pepper or another citrusy spice mix
Instructions
- Place salmon bites on a deep plate or in a shallow bowl and mix with the oil, lemon juice and lemon pepper. Marinate up to 15 minutes, or cook straight away.1 lb salmon fillet, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 3 Tbsp lemon juice, 1.5 Tbsp lemon pepper
- Preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 410℉ (210℃).
- Place salmon bites in air fryer basket and air fry 5 minutes at 410℉ (210℃), until cooked through or as done as you like it. Do not shake or mix while cooking, as this can cause the outside to stick to the basket and the bites will then break apart.
Notes
What You Can Use Instead of Lemon Pepper
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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