1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Crispy Salmon Bites

Crispy Salmon Bites

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Coat salmon pieces with honey and spices, crisp them up in an air fryer, and top with tangy bang bang sauce, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:17:48 GMT
A plate of crispy salmon cubes topped with green onions and creamy tangy sauce. Pin it
A plate of crispy salmon cubes topped with green onions and creamy tangy sauce. | cuisinegenial.com

I whipped up these salmon chunks one evening when takeout was calling my name but I spotted a beautiful salmon fillet in my fridge. I started playing with different sauce combos and bam - my whole family went wild for them! Nowadays my children actually clap when salmon appears on the counter. My high schooler who used to just nibble his food now devours these. Even my fussy mother-in-law wanted me to share how I made them!

Why You'll Fall For These

What's awesome about these bites? They come together so fast when you're rushed on hectic evenings. They get this amazing crunchy, sweet outer layer while staying tender and moist inside. But honestly, it's all about that sauce - that's why everyone always wants more. My next-door neighbor keeps bugging me about when I'm cooking them again because she can't stop thinking about that sauce!

Shopping List Essentials

  • Salmon: Grab the fresh stuff at the seafood section instead of frozen when possible
  • Spices: Black pepper, salt, that rich paprika and some garlic powder
  • Honey: Just a bit helps everything cling together nicely
  • Sauce Stuff: Fresh garlic, mayonnaise, soy sauce, ketchup, hot sauce (Sriracha works great) and rice vinegar
  • Finishing Touches: Sesame seeds and scallions to scatter over the top
A glass bowl filled with marinated salmon cubes is surrounded by lime wedges, a small bowl of mayonnaise, and a dish of dipping sauce. Pin it
A glass bowl filled with marinated salmon cubes is surrounded by lime wedges, a small bowl of mayonnaise, and a dish of dipping sauce. | cuisinegenial.com

Cooking Steps

Get Everything Ready
Slice your salmon into small chunks. Dry them with paper towels so they'll crisp up nicely. Then combine your spices with some olive oil and honey.
Cook Them Up
You can toss them in the oven or try the air fryer method. I usually go with the air fryer since it's quicker and gives you those delicious crispy edges.
Whip Up Your Sauce
While your salmon cooks, mix all sauce ingredients together. Give it a try - you might want to add more heat!
Finish The Dish
When salmon is done, pour that yummy sauce over everything and top with scallions and sesame seeds. Then watch how fast they vanish!
A bowl of diced, cooked salmon pieces garnished with herbs and a sprinkle of cheese, served in a light sauce, with a lemon half nearby. Pin it
A bowl of diced, cooked salmon pieces garnished with herbs and a sprinkle of cheese, served in a light sauce, with a lemon half nearby. | cuisinegenial.com

Tips From My Kitchen

Give your salmon pieces plenty of space so they can get that crispy exterior. When using your oven, put the tray near the top so they brown up nicely. And here's what I've learned - always make more sauce than you think you need because everyone wants extra for dipping!

Change It Around

I sometimes dump in more hot sauce when I'm feeling adventurous. My buddy swears by switching the paprika for Cajun spices and says it's incredible. This recipe works great with shrimp too if salmon isn't your thing. That sauce is so tasty I've started using it on practically everything!

Ways To Enjoy Them

We typically eat these on top of rice with some steamed broccoli alongside. My kids throw them in tacos which sounds strange but tastes fantastic! They work great at gatherings too with toothpicks stuck in them. The last time I brought them to my reading group, everyone hovered around the dish like they hadn't eaten all day!

A plate of grilled salmon cubes garnished with parsley and served with a small bowl of sauce and a lime wedge. Pin it
A plate of grilled salmon cubes garnished with parsley and served with a small bowl of sauce and a lime wedge. | cuisinegenial.com

Storing Leftovers

They taste best eaten immediately but if you have extras (which hardly ever happens in my home), keep the sauce apart and store in your fridge. For reheating, throw them back in the air fryer briefly to make them crunchy again. Just don't stick them in the microwave unless you want rubbery fish!

Great For Every Occasion

These tasty morsels have rescued mealtime at my house countless times! They're speedy enough for hectic weekdays but impressive enough for guests. My little girl even asked for them instead of pizza at her birthday celebration - that's when I knew we had something special!

A close-up of grilled salmon bites drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped green onions and lime wedges. Pin it
A close-up of grilled salmon bites drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped green onions and lime wedges. | cuisinegenial.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does the salmon stick to the basket?

Fish naturally has oils that make it stick. Spritzing it with spray oil and letting it cool a bit before trying to remove it helps. Parchment paper is also a handy trick.

→ What's the best salmon to use?

Pick fillets from the middle, like Atlantic or king salmon, for perfect texture and cook time. Steelhead trout can be a good swap too.

→ Can I make these in the oven?

Sure! Set the oven to 400°F and bake near the top for 10-12 minutes. Lay parchment paper on the pan to reduce sticking.

→ Why wait before removing the salmon?

When salmon cools slightly, the cold air helps it release from the surface. This keeps the chunks intact and easy to handle.

→ Can I make the sauce ahead?

Absolutely. Prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate it. The flavor actually improves as the ingredients blend over time.

Crispy Salmon Bites

Pieces of salmon cooked to crisp perfection and paired with a spicy, creamy bang bang sauce. A flavorful and fast finger food that's good for you, too.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
18 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 small clove of garlic, grated.
02 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
03 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
04 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, coarse.
05 Optional: 1-2 teaspoons of honey.
06 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika or smoked paprika.
07 1/2 cup of creamy mayonnaise.
08 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar.
09 1.5 tablespoons of ketchup.
10 1/2-1 teaspoon of a hot sauce you like.
11 1 lb of center-cut salmon, chopped into 1-inch pieces.
12 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos.
13 Green onions and sesame seeds for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

Dice the salmon into cubes, take the skin off, and mix it with salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, honey, and olive oil.

Step 02

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil spray, add the salmon in a few batches, and fry them for 8 minutes at 350°F.

Step 03

Combine mayo, vinegar, garlic, hot sauce, ketchup, coconut aminos, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.

Step 04

Let the cooked salmon cool for 10 seconds before carefully taking it out.

Step 05

Place the salmon on a serving plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and enjoy with the sauce on the side.

Notes

  1. Baking the salmon at 400°F for 10-12 minutes is another option.
  2. Choose a center-cut piece of salmon for the best results.
  3. Letting the salmon cool slightly stops it from sticking.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer.
  • A large mixing bowl.
  • Optional: parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains fish.
  • Mayonnaise includes eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 292
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 23 g