Air fryer salmon bites are crispy, flavorful, and come together in just 25 minutes. Served with a zesty and creamy sauce for dipping, these salmon nuggets are always a hit!
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Say hello to your new favorite salmon recipe! Thanks to the air fryer, these salmon bites are super crispy with a juicy and flaky texture on the inside. I’ve tested countless variations of air fryer salmon bites, and this is the recipe that hits the sweet spot between simplicity and flavor. It’s all about using the right combination of spices and coarse panko breadcrumbs to enhance the salmon without overpowering it. And that garlicky and creamy dill sauce? It’s a must — trust me, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything!
What Makes This Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe So Good?
- Foolproof: No matter your skill level, this recipe is easy to master and ready in 25 minutes!
- Guaranteed Crispiness: The air fryer keeps the fish juicy on the inside with a golden, crunchy coating on the outside.
- Bursting with Flavor: The well seasoned panko coating takes these bites to the next level.
- Versatile: Dip these salmon nuggets in the creamy dip, or serve them in tacos, rice bowls, or on top of a salad!
Enjoy more of my favorite air fryer seafood recipes like this easy air fryer salmon, quick air fryer shrimp po’ boys and crispy air fryer coconut shrimp.
Ingredients Needed
Besides the salmon, this recipe uses simple and affordable ingredients you likely have on hand. Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this recipe for air fryer salmon bites. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I don’t recommend swapping these with any other type of breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are extra coarse and stick well to the salmon, creating the best crunch!
- Seasonings: I use a medley of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Feel free to change this mix up as desired – this recipe is very flexible.
- Salmon: Cut your salmon into 1-inch pieces. Try to make sure all of the pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Mayonnaise: You can use regular or low-fat, either one will work just fine for the dipping sauce. You could also use sour cream or Greek yogurt, but the final sauce will be less creamy and more tangy.
- Lemon Juice: I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice if possible!
- Fresh Dill: Using fresh dill will create the best flavor, but swapping in 1 teaspoon of dried dill will work in a pinch.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
By air frying, you avoid the greasiness of deep frying and still get that perfect crunch. A salmon dinner with homemade sauce ready in under 30 minutes? Yes, please! Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions.
- Season the Breadcrumbs: Mix the breadcrumbs and seasonings together.
- Prepare the Salmon: Coat every piece of salmon with the breadcrumbs. Gently press the breadcrumbs into the fish so they stick!
- Add to Basket: Give the air fryer basket a light spray with oil or non-stick spray, then add the salmon bites in an even layer. Make sure they’re in a single layer and not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook the salmon nuggets in batches. If you want them to turn out super crispy, you can lightly mist the salmon with oil before cooking.
- Air Fry: Cook the salmon bites, flipping them in the last few minutes of cooking so they’re crispy all around. Keep a close eye on them, some air fryers run hotter than others.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together until smooth. This is quick and easy to do while the fish cooks!
- Serve and Enjoy: As soon as the fish is done, serve the crispy salmon bites with the bowl of dip and dig in!
How To Serve Salmon Bites
- Sauces: If the creamy garlic dill sauce doesn’t float your boat, no worries! This homemade honey mustard, creamy sweet chili sauce, and tangy tzatziki sauce would pair perfectly as well.
- Tacos: Yes! Salmon bites make great crispy fish tacos. Toss them in warmed tortillas with mango slaw or corn salsa for the perfect bite!
- Bowls: You could also serve these over any flavor of rice bowl, salad bowl, quinoa bowl, etc. Add your favorite toppings, like this cilantro lime dressing, and dig in!
Chef’s Tips & Variations
- Pat Dry Before Breading: If your salmon is wet, pat it dry with paper towels to help the breadcrumbs stick and prevent any sogginess.
- Preheat Air Fryer: I know some air fryers say they don’t need to be pre-heated, but starting with a hot air fryer helps to create a crispy crust.
- Don’t Overcook: Salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F. Watch closely as some air fryers run a little hotter than others, there is nothing worse than dry fish!
- Line Air Fryer Basket: If things in your air fryer tend to stick, cut a round of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your basket. This ensures you won’t loose any of the crispy coating to the bottom of your air fryer.
- Make it Cheesy: Sprinkle up to 1/3 cup grated parmesan into the breadcrumb mix for a cheesy twist.
- Add Heat: Sprinkle in some cayenne powder, or red pepper flakes, to turn up the heat.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 24 oz salmon filets, about 4 filets, cut into 1-inch pieces
Creamy Garlic Dill Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat each piece of salmon in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the fish to help them stick.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick cooking spray. Place the salmon bites in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook these in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- For extra crispy results, lightly mist the salmon with oil before cooking. Air fry the salmon for 4 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until they are cooked through and the breadcrumbs are crispy and golden brown.
- While the salmon bites are cooking, make the sauce by whisking all of the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Serve the salmon with the sauce and lemon wedges on the side, if desired.
Notes
- Store: Transfer cooled leftover salmon bites to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes to retain their crispiness.
Nutrition
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