Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce are cubed salmon filets that are seasoned, air fried, and tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce. If you love salmon, be sure to try my Salmon Patties and Blackend Salmon, too!

Plate of Air Fryer Salmon Bites on Mashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce

The seasoned salmon bites are delicious on their own, but when they are smothered in a creamy garlic sauce, it makes this recipe really stand out. And, the salmon is cooked in an air fryer! Serve the air fryer salmon bites with garlic cream sauce over mashed potatoes or rice. Then, don’t forget to serve this with a vegetable like roasted asparagus and a basket of breadsticks. If you don’t have an air fryer, I will let you know how you can bake the salmon in the oven.

Raw Ingredients Used to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Air Fryer Salmon Bites Ingredients

Salmon: This recipe starts with two, 6-ounce salmon filets with the skin removed. I will let you know how to easily remove the skin next.

Seasonings: The salmon is coated in lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is at least 30% fat (as opposed to half and half, which is only 10-18% fat).

Garlic: With garlic in the name of the sauce, I had to add plenty of garlic!

Before and After of Making Air Fryer Salmon Bites

How to Remove Skin from Salmon

Generally, it’s best to leave the skin on salmon when baking. However, we are cutting it into bite-sized pieces for this recipe, so remove the skin first. One way to remove it is to use a sharp knife to carefully slice the skin off one end. Hold onto that flap of skin as you continue to run the knife in the opposite direction to slice off the skin.

Another trick is to use boiling water. It did work if you want to give it a try. Here is the method:

  • Boil a couple of cups of water in a saucepan.
  • As the water is boiling, get out a bowl and a wire rack.
  • Place the salmon filet on top of a wire rack, skin side up.
  • Place the salmon (on the rack) over the bowl. The bowl will catch the water.
  • Once the water is boiling, pour it over the salmon. The skin will slowly start to lift up.
  • Let the salmon cool enough to touch; then, simply peel the skin off. 

This boiling water method will cook the salmon slightly, but not enough to affect the recipe.

Plate of Air Fryer Salmon Bites on Mashed Potatoes

How to Make the Salmon Bites

With the skin removed from the salmon, it’s time to get it cooked in the air fryer. First, cut the salmon up into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl. In a separate medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon bites and toss to coat.

Place the bites in the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches. Cook the salmon for about 10 minutes at 390°F, flipping the bites halfway through (after 5 minutes). The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites on Mashed Potatoes with Garlic Sauce Being Poured On Top

How to Make the Garlic Cream Sauce

While the salmon is cooking, make the cream sauce. To make the sauce, heat the butter, cream, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir everything together for 4-5 minutes, or until the butter is melted and the sauce is heated through.

Pour the sauce over the salmon and get all the pieces covered in the creamy sauce. Serve the air fryer salmon bites with garlic cream sauce over mashed potatoes or rice. For a little healthier option, top the salmon over some cauliflower mashed potatoes. And, in the future, you may want to try just the sauce over a pile of noodles, too…yum!

Plate of Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Butter Sauce

Can I Make Salmon Bites in the Oven?

Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer, or just want to use the oven, the salmon bites are easy to make. Follow the recipe up to cooking in the air fryer. Place the oven rack into the top position and preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake the salmon bites for about 16 minutes, flipping them over halfway through at around 7-8 minutes.

Fork Holding Bit Into Air Fryer Salmon Bite

If you love these salmon bites, you will also love my Salmon Kebabs!

More Air Fryer Recipes

5 from 21 votes

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Air Fryer Salmon Bites are cubed salmon filets that are seasoned, air fried, and tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 2 salmon filets (6 ounces each), skin removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1-2 limes, squeezed
  • ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Garlic Cream Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (59.5g) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Use a paper towel to pat the salmon filets dry. Use a sharp knife to cut each filet into 1-inch squares.
  • In a medium bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour the mixture over the salmon bites and gently toss to coat.
  • Working in batches, place the salmon bites in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Do not overcrowd.) Air fry for 4-5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the opposite side, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Place the cooked salmon in a bowl.
  • While salmon is cooking, prepare the garlic sauce.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add butter, heavy cream, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir together until the butter is melted and the mixture is fully combined and heated through (4-5 minutes).
  • Pour the garlic cream sauce over salmon bites and serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

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Reader Comments

  1. Looks amazing and I plan on trying next week.
    Another easy method of removing the skin is to put the salmon into the freezer for about an hour or so then slice off putting the tip of the knife under the skin. (I have a boning knife which makes it very easy)

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