Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Crispy, saucy, and done in under 10 minutes? These air fryer honey garlic salmon bites check all the right boxes! The salmon gets lightly caramelized in the air fryer, then tossed in a glossy honey garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, and just garlicky enough. It’s the kind of easy, feel-good recipe that works for busy weeknights, meal-prep lunches, or anytime you want something healthy that doesn’t feel boring. I absolutely love serving these as part of a rice bowl with some veggies for extra goodness!
Love an air fryer recipe? Me too! I think you’ll also enjoy my air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer hot honey salmon bites, air fryer bang bang salmon bowls, and air fryer honey BBQ chicken tenders!
Ingredients
You’ll find the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post! Don’t skip the next few sections though for more details and extra tips to guide you along the way.
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Salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into cubes — Cutting them into even, bite-sized pieces helps everything cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer.
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Olive oil — Just enough to help the seasoning stick and encourage a little caramelization.
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Salt — Brings out the natural richness of the salmon.
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Black pepper — Adds a mild bite without overpowering the honey garlic sauce.
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Garlic powder — Gives you garlicky flavor that coats evenly without burning.
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Smoked paprika — Adds subtle warmth and that lightly smoky, almost grilled vibe.
Honey Garlic Sauce:
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Honey — The sweetness that balances the salty soy sauce and helps create that glossy finish.
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Soy sauce — Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce from being overly sweet.
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Unsalted butter — Rounds out the sauce and gives it a rich, silky texture.
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Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar — A little acidity to cut through the sweetness and brighten everything up.
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Garlic, minced — Fresh garlic gives the sauce its punchy, classic honey garlic flavor.
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Cornstarch mixed with water (optional) — Use this if you want a thicker sauce that really clings to the salmon.
How To Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
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Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket so nothing sticks.
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Season the salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry and add them to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Gently toss to coat, being careful not to break up the salmon.
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Air fry: Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the outside is lightly caramelized and the salmon is just cooked through.
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Make the honey garlic sauce: While the salmon cooks, add the honey, soy sauce, butter, vinegar, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until smooth and glossy. For a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 30–60 seconds, just until slightly thickened.
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Toss and serve: Transfer the hot salmon to a serving bowl. Spoon the warm sauce over the top and gently toss to coat. Serve right away.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed through.
Try to avoid long microwave reheating, as salmon tends to dry out quickly!
Recipe Notes
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Center-cut salmon works best here since it’s thicker and easier to cut into evenly sized cubes.
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Be careful not to overcook. The salmon will continue to cook slightly once it’s out of the air fryer.
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Flip the pieces gently using tongs or a thin spatula to keep the cubes intact.
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If your air fryer tends to run hot, start checking for doneness around the 6-minute mark.
Serving Ideas
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My favorite way to serve these is over steamed jasmine or white rice, bowl-style, for an easy, healthy dinner or next-day lunch.
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Turn them into a rice bowl with sliced cucumber, avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a fresh, balanced meal.
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Pair with air fryer broccoli or green beans to keep things simple and weeknight-friendly.
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Serve alongside a simple side salad with a light sesame or ginger dressing to round everything out.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs salmon fillets skin removed & cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water optional, for thickening
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket so nothing sticks.
- Season the salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry and add them to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Gently toss to coat, being careful not to break up the salmon.
- Air fry: Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the outside is lightly caramelized and the salmon is just cooked through.
- Make the honey garlic sauce: While the salmon cooks, add the honey, soy sauce, butter, vinegar, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until smooth and glossy. For a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 30–60 seconds, just until slightly thickened.
- Toss and serve: Transfer the hot salmon to a serving bowl. Spoon the warm sauce over the top and gently toss to coat. Serve right away.
I love discovering a new air fryer recipe, and this one is a real winner! Just perfect for a quick, easy, healthy dinner, and so good served with rice and your favorite veggies. If you try it, be sure to leave a comment below, and tag me in your pics on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
