These air fryer honey garlic glazed salmon bites are one of my favorite ways to eat salmon. They come out perfectly cooked, slightly caramelized, and coated in a sticky sweet and savory glaze.
The whole thing takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. Most of that time is just the air fryer doing its thing while you make the glaze on the stove.
The glaze is a simple mix of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Nothing fancy, but it creates an incredible flavor that pairs so well with salmon.
Cutting the salmon into bite-sized cubes means they cook fast and every piece gets coated in that glaze. Way more flavor in every bite compared to a whole fillet.
If you are looking for a quick, high-protein meal that actually tastes exciting, give these a try. They work great as a main dish over rice or even as an appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Glaze Is Irresistible – That sticky honey garlic glaze coats every bite with a sweet and savory flavor that is absolutely addictive.
Crispy Outside and Tender Inside – The air fryer gives each salmon bite a golden exterior while keeping the inside perfectly flaky and moist.
Ready in Under 20 Minutes – From prep to plate this entire recipe takes less than 20 minutes which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Salmon Fillets, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- Sesame Seeds for garnish
- Green Onions, sliced
How To Make
Step 1
In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Reserve half for glazing.
Step 2
Toss salmon cubes in the remaining marinade and let sit for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Place salmon bites in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 390°F for 7-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
Step 4
While salmon cooks, heat reserved sauce in a small pan. Mix cornstarch with water and add to sauce, stirring until thickened (about 1 minute).
Step 5
Toss cooked salmon bites in the thickened glaze, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately.
Tips
Pat the Salmon Dry Before Marinating
Before you toss the salmon cubes in the marinade, pat them dry with a paper towel. If there’s moisture on the surface, the marinade slides right off and you won’t get that sticky caramelized coating.
Dry salmon also means less steam in the air fryer. Less steam means the outside gets a nice sear instead of turning soft and mushy.
Don’t Skip the Single Layer
It’s tempting to pile all the salmon bites in at once, but if they overlap or touch too much, the hot air can’t circulate around each piece. You’ll end up with some bites that are perfectly cooked and others that are basically steamed.
If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, cook them in two batches. It takes a few extra minutes, but every single bite will come out evenly cooked with a nice golden outside.
Use Skin-On Fillets and Remove After Cooking
If your salmon has the skin on, leave it on when you cut the cubes. Place each piece skin-side down in the air fryer basket. The skin acts like a little barrier that keeps the bottom from sticking and overcooking.
Once the bites are done, the skin peels right off in one piece. It’s way easier to remove after cooking than before.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but you need to fully thaw it first. Pat the salmon very dry with paper towels after thawing, because excess moisture will prevent the bites from getting that nice caramelized finish in the air fryer.
The best way to thaw salmon is to move it from the freezer to the fridge the night before. If you’re short on time, you can place it in a sealed bag and submerge it in cold water for about 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Bites
- air fryer
- 1.5 lb Salmon Fillets, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- Sesame Seeds for garnish
- Green Onions, sliced
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Reserve half for glazing.
- Toss salmon cubes in the remaining marinade and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Place salmon bites in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 390°F for 7-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
- While salmon cooks, heat reserved sauce in a small pan. Mix cornstarch with water and add to sauce, stirring until thickened (about 1 minute).
- Toss cooked salmon bites in the thickened glaze, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately.