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• Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer
• How Long To Cook Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer?
• Tips For The Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Flavor Variations
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• More Of My Favorite Salmon Recipes
• My Favorite Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Whether I’m rushed for dinner on a weeknight or want something easy to impress guests, my go-to choice is always something from my collection of air fryer recipes . And these air fryer salmon bites ? They might be my fastest and tastiest creation yet. Not only are they quick and simple to make, but the sweet flavors and moist, flaky texture taste even better than regular air fryer salmon fillets .

These are a fun way to start a party, but I also make these salmon bites in the air fryer when I’m simply too busy for a lengthy dinner — which is often. Every bite is pure bliss, and you’d never guess they took just 10 minutes!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bites

• Moist and flaky inside with crispy edges
• Sweet and savory honey garlic flavors
• Simple ingredients
• Easy – just dice, marinate, and air fry!
• On the table in only 10 minutes
• Less mess than the stovetop and faster than the oven
• Great as a healthy appetizer or even dinner

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for air fried salmon bites, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Salmon – This recipe for air fryer salmon bites works with all kinds of salmon — king salmon, pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, sockeye salmon… you name it. It doesn’t matter if you get individual salmon fillets or one large piece (like I did), since we’ll be dicing it either way. If you want to make bites with another protein, try my garlic butter steak bites or chicken bites .
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Honey – I prefer natural sugar-free honey , but regular honey works just as well. (I’ve tried both!)
• Coconut Aminos – This is my favorite soy sauce substitute for a combination of sweet and umami flavors. You can easily substitute low-sodium soy sauce or tamari if you like.
• Olive Oil – Avocado oil also works fine.
• Spices – A blend of smoked paprika , garlic powder , and warm ground ginger . Feel free to customize the spices to your liking.

How To Make Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer

This section shows how to make this air fryer salmon bites recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Dice the salmon. Cut into strips, then slice in the opposite direction to make uniform 1-inch cubes.
2. Make the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut aminos, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.

1. Marinate the fish. Add the salmon cubes to the bowl and mix well to coat. Marinate for up to an hour.
2. Air fry. After preheating, place the seasoned salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with some spaces between most of them. Cook until cooked through (see tips below).

How Long To Cook Salmon Bites In The Air Fryer?

Air fry salmon bites for 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F for moist, flaky salmon or 145 degrees F for more firm salmon.

Tips For The Best Air Fryer Salmon Bites

• Don’t crowd the basket. Otherwise, the pieces won’t cook evenly. Work in batches if they don’t all fit into the air fryer basket.
• No need to flip. Air fryer salmon bites are pretty fragile and can fall apart when you try to flip them. It’s better to just leave them alone and avoid flipping, so this is where it’s important to have spaces between them to allow for air circulation (see tip above).
• Avoid overcooking. For a perfectly flaky, moist inside and crispy outside, aim for an internal temperature of 135-140 degrees F. The temp will rise a little more from residual heat after you remove them from the basket.

Flavor Variations

The honey garlic flavors in these little air fryer salmon nuggets are my absolute fave, but you can easily switch up the flavor with different marinade options. Here are some ideas:

• Lemon Garlic Butter – Season with olive oil, lemon juice (you can also add zest), paprika, salt, and pepper. Air fry, then toss in melted compound butter . Simply irresistible!
• Teriyaki – Use 1/4 cup of your favorite teriyaki sauce to marinate the salmon bites.
• Maple – Just use my homemade salmon marinade !
• Blackened – Like a faster version of blackened salmon ! Omit the spices, honey, and coconut aminos. Instead, combine 2 tablespoons of blackened seasoning with olive oil to coat the salmon bites with a bold smoky flavor.
• Cajun – Give your air fryer salmon bites a Southern kick by tossing them in a mix of 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and olive oil.
• Jerk – For a Caribbean flair (similar to jerk salmon ), marinate with 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning blended with olive oil.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Stack leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Meal prep: You can cut the salmon and make the marinade ahead of time. Store separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend marinating for an extended period of time, as the salmon will turn mushy.
• Reheat: The best way is to reheat salmon bites in the air fryer at 300 degrees F (or the lowest temperature that your air fryer allows) for about 2 minutes. Since they are already crispy and golden, higher temperatures tend to burn the outside. Watch carefully to avoid drying out.
• Freeze: Place air fryer salmon bites in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These salmon bites work both as an appetizer and a light main dish if you pair them with the right sides. Here are a few ideas for serving them:

• Veggies – Keep it simple with roasted vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus . You can also make your entire meal in the same appliance — try air fryer cauliflower or air fryer zucchini .
• Salad – Serve the salmon bites over a leafy kale salad , sweet mandarin orange salad , or filling sweet potato salad for a complete meal.
• Rice – For a satisfying meal, serve with a side of fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice . My personal fave way to use air fryer salmon bites is in a salmon bowl !
• Surf & Turf – Sometimes when I want a mini surf & turf appetizer or meal, I like to pair these salmon bites with sirloin steak tips .
• Dipping Sauces – Honestly, the honey marinade is so flavorful that you don’t need a sauce! But if you make one of the variations above, a sauce might be a nice addition. Try a drizzle of spicy mayo or dunk in garlic aioli .

More Of My Favorite Salmon Recipes

Baked Salmon

Salmon Lox

Pesto Salmon

My Favorite Air Fryer

This air fryer hasn’t failed me yet! The basket is nice and roomy, and the non-stick surface has lasted well for years. Highly recommend it!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 24 oz Salmon fillets (cut into 1-inch pieces) ▢
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 3 tbsp Honey (or zero sugar honey ) ▢
• 2 tbsp Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Ground ginger (optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut aminos, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground ginger (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Add the salmon pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Marinate for 5-10 minutes , or up to 1 hour if you have time. When time is up, turn the salmon pieces in the marinade again to coat well.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
4. Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with some spaces between most of them. (Do not crowd the basket. If they don’t all fit, cook in batches.) Air fry for 5-7 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C).

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 8 salmon bites

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

The best air fryer salmon bites – moist and flaky inside, crispy outside, and irresistible honey garlic flavor! Make them in just 10 minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-salmon-bites/

Ingredients

• 24 oz Salmon fillets (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 3 tbsp Honey (or zero sugar honey )
• 2 tbsp Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Ground ginger (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut aminos, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground ginger (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Add the salmon pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Marinate for 5-10 minutes , or up to 1 hour if you have time. When time is up, turn the salmon pieces in the marinade again to coat well.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
4. Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with some spaces between most of them. (Do not crowd the basket. If they don’t all fit, cook in batches.) Air fry for 5-7 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C).

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 8 salmon bites

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)