These Garlic Honey Salmon Bites are air-fried until crispy and tender, then tossed in a rich, buttery honey garlic glaze with a hint of spice. They are quick, flavorful, and perfect for an easy dinner or appetizer, ready in about 30 minutes! No air fryer? No problem—you can bake them in the oven, too! If you love these, you have to try my Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites next—they’re crispy, flavorful, and coated in a rich, homemade Bang Bang sauce.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Salmon: This recipe calls for about a pound of salmon. You can use one whole filet or smaller filets. I prefer removing the skin before cutting the salmon into bite-sized pieces for cooking. The salmon bites will be tossed with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Butter: Butter (I used unsalted butter) is added to the sauce to make it rich, creamy, and smooth. It helps the honey and other flavors blend together better, creating a delicious glaze that coats the salmon perfectly.
- Honey: These are honey garlic salmon bites, so I can’t leave out the honey! It adds sweetness and helps balance out the savory and spicy flavors. It also gives the sauce a sticky texture that coats the salmon nicely, making each bite extra tasty!
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty, savory flavor to help balance the sweetness of the honey.
- Garlic: I used 3 tablespoons of minced garlic because it adds a lot of flavor to the sauce. It gives it a nice, strong garlic taste that goes well with the honey and soy sauce. You can use fresh garlic cloves instead—just chop them up until you have about 3 tablespoons. One clove is usually about 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, so you will need around 9 cloves.
- White Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar adds a little tanginess to the sauce, which helps balance the sweetness of the honey and the saltiness of the soy sauce. If you don’t have white wine vinegar, you can use regular vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice as a substitute.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes (also called crushed red pepper) add a little kick to the sauce. Add more for more heat, or leave out if you want a milder sauce.
How To Remove Skin From Salmon
While it’s usually best to leave the skin on for baking, for this recipe, I recommend removing it before cutting the salmon into bite-sized pieces. To remove the skin, use a sharp knife to slice the skin off at one end, then gently slide the knife along the skin to separate it from the flesh.
An alternative method is using boiling water. Boil a couple of cups of water, then place a wire rack over a bowl and put the salmon skin-side up on the rack. Pour the boiling water over the salmon, and after a few moments, the skin should lift. Let the salmon cool enough to touch and peel the skin off carefully. Note: This method may slightly cook the salmon, but it won’t significantly affect the recipe if done quickly.
Can I Make The Honey Garlic Sauce Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make the honey garlic sauce ahead of time! Just cook it as directed, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use it, reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring as needed.
How To Serve Honey Garlic Salmon Bites: Best Side Dishes and Serving Ideas
- Rice: Serve them over a bed of jasmine or brown rice to soak up the delicious honey garlic sauce.
- Vegetables: Pair with vegetables like broccoli, roasted parmesan green beans, or roasted asparagus for a light and healthy side.
- Salads: A fresh mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance the sweetness of the salmon.
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes work great alongside the salmon bites.
- Noodles: Try serving them with garlic butter noodles or even simple homemade egg noodles to complete the meal.
- Bread: Serve with my soft easy dinner rolls or a slice of a French baguette to soak up any leftover sauce.
Quick Tips For Perfect Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Make sure to cut the salmon into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Check the internal temperature. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, salmon is fully cooked at 145°F. For medium-cooked salmon, remove it at 130°F, and it will continue to cook once it is out of the air fryer.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the salmon from sticking.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add more red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- For extra crispy salmon, air fry the bites in a single layer, not overcrowding the basket.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds just before serving for an extra pop of flavor and color.
How To Store & Reheat Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
To store Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, let them cool down to room temperature first. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to eat them again, you can reheat the salmon bites in the air fryer, oven, or on the stovetop until they’re heated through. If possible, it is best to store the salmon bites and sauce separately to keep them from getting soggy. This way, they’ll stay fresh and tasty!
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 pound salmon, about 3 filets, skins removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (170 g) honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- green onions, for garnish
- sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.*
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon bites and gently toss to coat.
- Place the salmon bites in an even layer in the basket of an air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.) Air fry for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
- After air frying, transfer the salmon bites to a plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
Sauce
- To a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add butter, honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until thickened.
- Add the cooked salmon to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
*Oven instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the seasoned cubes of salmon onto the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Toss the baked salmon bites in the honey garlic sauce.
- Serve garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These salmon bites are so good, and they are so easy to make! They are a great dinner idea!
Elizabeth
I have grown to love salmon, and I love this honey garlic sauce with them. And, the air fryer is the way to go!
Stephanie
The salmon gets cooked perfectly in the air fryer. And, the sauce is perfect. Yum!
Bella
I am not always a fan of salmon, but these bites are delicious!
Annabelle
These honey garlic salmon bites are absolutely amazing! I was surprised by how easy they were to prepare and how flavorful they turned out.
