Description
These Crispy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are tender salmon cubes perfectly marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then air fried to golden, crispy perfection. Garnished with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds, they make a delicious and healthy appetizer or snack with an irresistible sweet and savory taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Salmon
- 1 lb salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Cooking spray
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a balanced and flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Salmon: Add the salmon cubes to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse deeply into the salmon.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for approximately 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Dry the Salmon Cubes: Remove the salmon cubes from the marinade and pat each piece dry gently with paper towels to prepare for coating.
- Coat with Cornstarch: Place the salmon cubes in a separate bowl and toss them with cornstarch, making sure each piece is lightly but evenly coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch to prevent clumping.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the salmon bites from sticking during cooking.
- Arrange Salmon in Basket: Place the cornstarch-coated salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not touch to allow proper air circulation for crisp cooking.
- Cook the Salmon Bites: Air fry the salmon bites at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they become crispy and golden brown on all sides.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the salmon bites carefully from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish the crispy salmon bites with chopped fresh cilantro and sesame seeds right before serving to add freshness and a nutty crunch.
Notes
- Patting the salmon dry before coating helps achieve maximum crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for best results.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on the size of the salmon pieces and air fryer model.
- Leftover salmon bites can be reheated briefly in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
