This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a quick, sweet and savory main dish for busy nights. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these air fryer salmon bites cook up tender and flaky with lightly caramelized edges. Then, they get finished with an easy honey garlic sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A few reasons these air fryer honey garlic salmon bites keep earning a spot in our regular dinner rotation:
- Pantry-friendly ingredients: nothing fancy here; you probably already have most of what you need on hand.
- Air fryer magic: it crisps and lightly caramelizes the edges, giving you tender, flaky bites with tons of flavor.
- Weeknight-fast: about 20 minutes from start to finish, including a super easy dump-and-simmer honey garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, and buttery.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These honey garlic salmon bites use simple ingredients, but a few small details help them cook evenly and taste their best.
You’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Salmon
- Salmon filets: skin removed and cut into 1½-inch cubes. Center-cut fillets cook best. Keep the pieces uniform so they finish at the same time.
- Avocado oil, or olive oil: Helps prevent sticking and allows the seasoning to coat the salmon.
- Sea Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika: Adds light smokiness and a warm color to the salmon.
Honey Garlic Sauce
- Honey: Adds sweetness and helps create a light glaze.
- Soy sauce, or coconut aminos: Brings savory balance. Coconut aminos is a slightly sweeter, gluten-free option.
- Butter, unsalted: Makes the sauce rich and smooth without extra salt.
- Unseasoned rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the sweetness.
- Garlic, minced: Fresh garlic delivers the best flavor, but in a pinch garlic powder can work too.
- Cornstarch + water (optional, for thickening): Use if you want a thicker sauce that clings to the salmon bites. If you’re like me with Xanthan Gum in your pantry, this works as a sauce thickener too!
How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Making air fryer salmon bites with honey garlic sauce is easy. Use this step-by-step photo as a guide to learn how to make it in a few key steps:
Air Fry the Salmon
Preheat the air fryer so it’s ready to go. Toss the salmon cubes with oil and seasonings, then arrange them in a single layer. Air fry until lightly caramelized outside and just cooked through.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Make the Sauce & Serve
Simmer the honey garlic sauce until smooth and glossy, thickening if desired. Spoon the warm sauce over the hot salmon, gently toss, and serve right away.
Pro Tips That Save Time & Add Flavor
A few simple tricks make these salmon bites tender, flavorful, and mess-free:
- Choose center-cut salmon for even cubes that cook consistently
- Don’t overcook: salmon keeps cooking slightly after you remove it from the air fryer.
- Flip gently with tongs or a thin spatula to keep the cubes intact.
- Watch your air fryer: if it runs hot, start checking for doneness around 6 minutes.
- Mix spices first in a small bowl before tossing with the salmon for even seasoning.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after tossing with the sauce so the flavors meld.
Swaps & Variations
This recipe is kitchen-tested and designed to adapt to real life. Here are a few easy ways to make it your own:
- Protein swaps: chicken (like in my Honey Garlic Chicken Bites) or shrimp work well in the same sauce if you want a change from salmon. Just adjust cooking time.
- Veggie options: Bell peppers, zucchini, or snap peas can be air fried alongside the salmon for a quick, colorful addition.
- Budget-friendly tip: Use frozen salmon filets if fresh isn’t available or too expensive. They thaw quickly, especially when they’re individually sealed, and still taste delicious.
- Low-carb option: Swap the honey for a sugar-free honey alternative.
- More flavor: Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for heat, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives just before serving for brightness.
What to Serve With This
Sweet, savory, and perfectly bite-sized, these salmon bites are a treat any night of the week. Add a few easy sides, and you’ve got a comforting meal everyone will love. Here are some recipes I like to serve with them:
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer Broccoli
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes until just warmed. This keeps the salmon tender.
- Avoid microwaving for long periods, as the salmon can dry out quickly.
- Freezing isn’t recommended, since the texture can suffer when thawed and reheated.
Printable Recipe Card
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Use DRDAVINAHS at checkout to save on some equipment & ingredients!
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1½ lbs Salmon Fillets, skin removed, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp Avocado oil, or olive oil
- ¾ tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
- 1 tbsp Unseasoned Rice Vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
Optional Sauce Thickener
- ½ tsp cornstarch, optional, for thickening
- 1 tbsp Water
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat the salmon cubes dry and place in a bowl.
- Season the salmon: drizzle the salmon cubes with avocado oil, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss gently to coat, taking care not to break the salmon.
- Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly caramelized on the outside and just cooked through.
Honey Garlic Sauce
- While the salmon cooks, add honey, soy sauce, butter, rice vinegar, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until smooth and glossy.
- For a thicker sauce, mix the water and cornstarch together in a small measuring cup or bowl to make a cornstarch slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pot and simmer for 30–60 seconds until the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Toss and serve: Transfer the hot salmon bites to a serving bowl. Spoon the warm sauce over the salmon and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
I’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Recipe Notes
- Choose center-cut salmon for even cubes that cook consistently
- Flip gently with tongs or a thin spatula to keep the cubes intact.
- Watch your air fryer: if it runs hot, start checking for doneness around 6 minutes.
- Mix spices first in a small bowl before tossing with the salmon for even seasoning.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after tossing with the sauce so the flavors meld.
- Don’t overcook: salmon keeps cooking slightly after you remove it from the air fryer.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
Leave a Reply