Seafood

Honey‑Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Bites

By Samira Kazan

published October 03, 2025

Meet my fast, glossy take on Air fryer salmon bites . Juicy centers, lightly crisp edges, and a honey-garlic-chili glaze that clings to every cube.

top view of air fryer salmon bites in a white plate with blue rim and next to it grilled broccoli and rice and lemon - 1

I season the salmon with a quick paprika, garlic, and thyme rub, air fry at 400°F, then simmer a simple honey and soy sauce glaze with chili flakes and lemon. The bites get a shiny coat right before serving, and I love serving them over jasmine rice with grilled broccoli (or my grilled broccolini for a slightly fancier twist) and a handful of scallions on top.

side view of air fryer salmon bites in a green bowl with rice and grilled broccoli and hand drizzling the sauce - 2
  • What you’ll need
  • How to make air fryer salmon bites
  • Alphafoodie tips
  • FAQs
  • More salmon recipes
  • Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe

What you’ll need

For the salmon bites

A photo of the ingredients needed to make air fryer salmon bites. - 3
  • Skinless salmon fillet: cut into one‑inch cubes and pat very dry for better browning.
  • Olive oil : a light coat helps the spices stick and promotes color.
  • Paprika : gentle warmth that won’t overpower the glaze.
  • Garlic powder: gives the salmon a subtle garlic note.
  • Dried thyme : savory, herby lift that pairs well with salmon.
  • Salt and black pepper : season before cooking, adjust after glazing.
  • Scallions : fresh, oniony finish for serving.

For the glaze

Top view of the ingredients for garlic honey glaze dressing - 4
  • Honey : the backbone of the sticky glaze.
  • Soy sauce or tamari : salty umami to balance the honey.
  • Fresh lemon : a squeeze brightens the glaze.
  • Red pepper flakes: clean, adjustable heat.
  • Fresh garlic: aromatic punch for the glaze.
  • Cornstarch and water : a quick slurry to thicken the sauce.

See printable recipe card below for the full ingredients list and quantities.

How to make air fryer salmon bites

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon very dry, then cut it into one‑inch cubes.

Steps for cooking the salmon bites. - 5

Toss the cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until the surfaces look lightly coated. Spread them in one layer in the basket. Air fry for about 6 minutes, shaking once around the halfway point. Check a piece: 125–130°F inside is moist and flaky. If you prefer USDA doneness, take it to 145°F.

steps for making the glaze of salmon bites. - 6

While the fish cooks, simmer honey, soy sauce or tamari, lemon juice, chili flakes, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Whisk in a cornstarch slurry and cook for about a minute until glossy and lightly thick.

Toss and serve salmon bites. - 7

Transfer the hot bites to a bowl and spoon the glaze over the top, tossing gently to coat. Scatter with sliced scallions. Serve as you like — over rice, with roasted or grilled vegetables, or even on its own.

Alphafoodie tips

  • Dry the fish well : moisture on the surface is the enemy of browning.
  • Keep cubes even : one‑inch pieces cook more evenly and stay juicy.
  • Space matters : a little room between pieces helps air circulation and color.
  • Glaze control : if the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of water or lemon.
  • Swap options : smoked paprika works, and oregano can replace thyme if you prefer.

Yes! You can use skin-on salmon, but for this recipe, I find it easiest to trim the skin while the fillet is cold before cutting into bites. That way, the salmon cooks evenly and every bite is ready to enjoy.

Thaw completely and pat very dry so the rub adheres and the edges brown.

For the sauce here. The slurry gives a light, glossy cling without breading the fish.

  • What you’ll need
  • How to make air fryer salmon bites
  • Alphafoodie tips
  • FAQs
  • More salmon recipes
  • Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe

More salmon recipes

A serving of salmon with bok choi and rice - 8 A serving of salmon with bok choi and rice - 9 Honey glazed salmon in a pan - 10 Honey glazed salmon in a pan - 11 A square photo of two grilled salmon fillets served with grilled asparagus and a charred half lemon on a white dish. - 12 A square photo of two grilled salmon fillets served with grilled asparagus and a charred half lemon on a white dish. - 13

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the salmon bites

  • ▢ 1 pound salmon fillet skinless cut into one‑inch cubes
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ▢ 3 scallions thinly sliced

For the glaze

  • ▢ ⅓ cup honey
  • ▢ ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
  • ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
  • ▢ ½ tablespoon cornstarch
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon very dry and cut into one‑inch cubes.
  • Toss salmon with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer in the basket.
  • Air fry at 400°F for about 6 minutes, shaking once halfway. Aim for 125–130°F inside for moist salmon or 145°F for USDA doneness.
  • Meanwhile, add honey, soy sauce or tamari, lemon juice, chili flakes, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk cornstarch with water, then stir it into the pan and cook for about 1 minute until glossy and slightly thick.
  • Transfer hot salmon bites to a bowl and drizzle with the glaze, tossing to coat. Garnish with sliced scallions and pair with whatever you love — rice, veggies, or a light salad.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

top view of air fryer salmon bites in a white plate with blue rim - 14

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer

Ingredients

For the salmon bites

  • 1 pound salmon fillet skinless cut into one‑inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 scallions thinly sliced

For the glaze

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
  • ½ tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon very dry and cut into one‑inch cubes.
  • Toss salmon with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer in the basket.
  • Air fry at 400°F for about 6 minutes, shaking once halfway. Aim for 125–130°F inside for moist salmon or 145°F for USDA doneness.
  • Meanwhile, add honey, soy sauce or tamari, lemon juice, chili flakes, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk cornstarch with water, then stir it into the pan and cook for about 1 minute until glossy and slightly thick.
  • Transfer hot salmon bites to a bowl and drizzle with the glaze, tossing to coat. Garnish with sliced scallions and pair with whatever you love — rice, veggies, or a light salad.

Nutrition

Recipe on Alphafoodie: https://www.alphafoodie.com/air-fryer-salmon-bites/