Salmon Bites with Garlic & Lemon Pepper
Buy our air fryer e-cookbooks today We love all types of bites and these garlic and lemon pepper salmon bites in air fryer is top of our list. Simply put, these are amazing and best of all quick and easy. It’s one of those salmon air fryer recipes that will be on your regular rotation.
Why You Should Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
If you’re a fan of salmon then this will be on the top of your list. There’s so many reasons to make this seafood dish and we’ll list a few to convince you this is worth the 15 minutes of your time.
- These bites are quick to cook and faster than cooking a whole salmon fillet.
- There’s more edges of the salmon that are able to get crispy. So if you like crispy chunks of salmon, then cutting them into smaller bites will give you that texture.
- Easy meal prep: if you pre-cut the salmon and marinade the bites, then all you need to do is to air fry when you’re ready.
- Budget friendly: Seafood is always a great and healthy way to enjoy at home without breaking the bank. If you were to order this dish at a restaurant, you’ll probably be paying at least three times that amount in a restaurant.
Video: Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe
Using Frozen Salmon
Yes, you can use frozen salmon fillets. Just make sure that the salmon fillets are thawed completely before cutting. That way you can ensure they will be cooked all the way through.
Other Spices, Marinades and Seasonings for Salmon Nuggets
We love using simple garlic powder and lemon pepper for the seasonings. It’s savory, bright and flavorful. But if you have other favorite spices or seasonings then totally go for it! Use what ever you like on your salmon.
Keep Salmon From Sticking: Use Air Fryer Liners
An issue with air frying salmon is sticking. If you have a wire basket or rack, then you definitely run the chance of tearing or crumbling the salmon if you try to move it. So we like to use these perforated air fryer liners that are usable and easy to wash. And you should have a good oil spray to evenly coat the salmon without having to use too much oil.
We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!
There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.
Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic & Lemon Pepper
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) salmon filets
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder , or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) minced parsley
- Lemon wedges , for serving
Equipment
- Perforated Silicone Mats , optional
- Perforated Parchment Sheets , optional
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1” to 1 1/2” cubes. Try to keep them about the same size so they will cook evenly.
- In bowl combine 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves of minced garlic), 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Add cut salmon to the marinade and gently toss to coat all salmon pieces
- Place a perforated silicone air fryer liner or a perforated parchment sheet in the air fryer basket/tray. Or if you aren’t using a liner/parchment sheet, spray the basket/tray with oil.
- Place salmon in single layer in air fryer basket/tray.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes. Gently squeeze the salmon to see how much it is cooked – the more cooked it is, the firmer it will be.
- Continue to air fry for another 2-4 minutes at 380°F (193°C) or until salmon is cooked with your liking.
- Garnish with minced parsley and serve with lemons.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Best Type of Salmon?
With different types of salmon out there, air frying is great for all of them. From Atlantic Salmon, Coho Salmon to King Salmon, they are all great for air fried salmon bites. Although some salmon is more lean than others the cooking time might vary slightly. But that doesn’t change the recipe much. What really changes is how thick you cut the bites and how hot your air fryer cooks. Other than that, enjoy these with your favorite type of salmon.
