Description
These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a quick and delicious appetizer or main dish featuring tender salmon cubes tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a crispy exterior and moist interior, they offer a perfect balance of flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon:
- 1½ lbs salmon fillets (skin removed & cut into 1½-inch cubes)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket to prevent the salmon from sticking during cooking.
- Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry to remove excess moisture. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika over the salmon. Gently toss to coat the cubes evenly without breaking them apart.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each piece for even cooking. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until the exterior is lightly caramelized and the salmon is cooked through.
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the salmon cooks, combine the honey, soy sauce, butter, rice vinegar, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. If a thicker sauce is desired, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for an additional 30–60 seconds until slightly thickened.
- Toss and Serve: Transfer the hot salmon bites to a serving bowl. Pour the warm honey garlic sauce over them and gently toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the deliciously glazed salmon bites.
Notes
- Ensure the salmon cubes are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Patting the salmon dry helps achieve a better caramelized exterior.
- Be gentle when tossing the coated salmon to keep the pieces intact.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the honey quantity to make the sauce sweeter or less sweet according to taste.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
