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Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce

5.0 from 64 votes

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce are a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for any time of the day, one of my favorite recipes that I have discovered recently. It is easy to make, healthy, and packed with flavor.

If you are looking for a quick weeknight meal that will satisfy your cravings, then these crispy salmon bites are the perfect dish for you. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.

All you need is some fresh skinless salmon fillets, garlic, cream, and a few other ingredients to make this mouthwatering dish.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce is a great option for those who are looking for a healthy and delicious meal. Salmon is an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients that are good for your health. When combined with garlic cream sauce, this dish becomes a flavorful and satisfying meal that you will love.

Why You’re Going to Love these Crispy Salmon Bites

This crispy air fryer salmon bites recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious salmon recipes you can make. Air fryer salmon bites are a tasty dinner that can be served as a main course or added to a salmon bowl. They are also a great addition to any party platter or as a snack. 

One of the best things about cooking salmon bites in an air fryer is that it takes less time than traditional cooking methods. You can have a tasty dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Air fry salmon bites are an easy and tasty way to enjoy salmon. With these easy air fryer recipes, you can make a quick meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a tasty dinner party.

Ingredients

When it comes to making crispy salmon bites with creamy garlic cream sauce, there are two main components to consider: the salmon bites and the garlic cream sauce. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for each:

Salmon Bites

To make the salmon bites, you’ll need the following:

  • Fresh salmon fillets, cubed into 1-inch pieces – skinless preferably, although is really not complicate to remove the skin from fillets, will show you how in the instructions part
  • Olive oil
  • Crushed garlic/ Garlic powder
  • Lime juice
  • Sweet paprika
  • Salt/ Black pepper

Garlic Cream Sauce

For the garlic cream sauce, you’ll need:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Garlic, minced
  • Chopped parsley

Preparing the Salmon Bites

Cutting the Salmon

First, I remove the skin if my fillets are skin on and cut the salmon, using a sharp knife into bite-sized pieces to make sure they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Marinade the Salmon

In a medium sized bowl add olive oil, crushed garlic, paprika, lime juice, salt and pepper and I add the salmon cubes too. I evenly coat the salmon bites with the marinade mixture. This helps the salmon become crispy in the air fryer and not stick to the basket.

That’s it! Preparing the salmon bites is easy and quick. With a few simple steps, you can have delicious and healthy salmon bites ready to be air fried.

Cooking the Salmon Bites

Using the Air Fryer

When it comes to cooking salmon bites in an air fryer, it’s important to use the right equipment. Make sure to use the air fryer basket that comes with your air fryer. You should also use cooking spray to prevent the salmon bites from sticking to the basket, adding it right after the preheat time.

Cooking Time and Temperature

To get the perfect crispy texture with crispy edges, you need to cook the salmon bites at the right temperature and for the right amount of time.

Preheat your air fryer to 380F for 3-4 minutes. Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145F.

Easy Steps

Cooking salmon bites in an air fryer is an easy and quick meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Follow these easy steps to make delicious salmon bites:

  1. Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the mixture over the salmon bites and toss to coat.
  4. Place the bites in the basket of your air fryer.
  5. Cook for 8 minutes, or until the salmon cooks through and becomes crispy.

Making the Garlic Cream Sauce

When it comes to air fryer salmon bites, the garlic cream sauce is the perfect addition to bring out the flavors of the dish. Making the sauce is quick and easy, and it can be stored in an airtight container for later use.

Mixing the Ingredients

To make the Garlic Cream Sauce, I start by melting half a stick of butter in a small bowl. Then I add 1/4 cup of heavy cream, 2 tbsp of minced garlic, 1 tbsp of chopped parsley, and 1 tbsp of my favorite seasoning. I mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined.

Once the ingredients are mixed, I set the bowl aside and move on to preparing the salmon bites. 

Storing the Sauce

If you have leftover Garlic Cream Sauce, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you are ready to use it again, simply microwave it for a few seconds to soften it up before using it to coat your salmon bites.

These Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce are one of the best options to enjoy tender salmon bites that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

You can pair them with some rice or cauliflower rice. The rice will absorb the creamy garlic butter sauce and make it even more flavorful. You can also serve the salmon bites with some steamed broccoli or a salad to add some greens to your plate.

Using Leftover Salmon Bites

If you have leftover salmon bites, you can use them to make a quick and easy meal. You can chop them up and add them to a bowl of greens to make a salad, or you can use them as a protein source in a wrap or sandwich. You can also use them as a topping for a pizza or pasta dish.

To get the best results when reheating leftover salmon bites, I suggest using the air fryer again. You can reheat them at 375F for 3-5 minutes until they are crispy and heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook salmon bites in air fryer?

Cooking time for salmon bites in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the bites and the air fryer model you are using. As a general rule, salmon bites should be cooked at 380F/ 190C for 8 minutes or until they are cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.

However, it is always a good idea to check the salmon bites if they are cooked through before serving.

Can I wrap my salmon in foil and put it in an air fryer?

While it is possible to wrap salmon in foil and cook it in an air fryer, it is not recommended. The foil can prevent the hot air from reaching the salmon and can result in uneven cooking. Additionally, the foil can create steam, which can cause the salmon to become mushy. For best results, cook the salmon bites directly in the air fryer basket.

Should I thaw salmon before air frying?

It is recommended to thaw salmon before air frying it. Thawing the salmon ensures that it cooks evenly and prevents the outside from overcooking before the inside is fully cooked. To thaw salmon, place it in the refrigerator overnight or run it under cold water until it is fully thawed and pat with a paper towel.

Does salmon stick to air fryer?

Salmon can sometimes stick to the air fryer basket, especially if it is not coated with oil or if the salmon skin is left on. To prevent sticking, lightly coat the salmon bites with oil before placing them in the air fryer. Additionally, make sure the air fryer basket is clean and free of any food residue before adding the salmon.

Can I add different seasonings to the marinade?

Once the salmon is cut, I season it with my favorite spices. You can use any seasoning you like, but I prefer a combination of Traeger BBQ Rub, Tony’s Creole, paprika, and cayenne pepper. I make sure to coat the salmon pieces evenly with the seasoning.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce

Recipe by Adore Foods
5.0 from 64 votes

This crispy air fryer salmon bites recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious salmon recipes you can make. Air fryer salmon bites are a tasty dinner that can be served as a main course or added to a salmon bowl. They are also a great addition to any party platter or as a snack. 

Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2-3

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

8

minutes
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • Salmon Bites
  • 3 pieces 3 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin removed

  • 1 tbsp 1 olive oil

  • 1 1 lime juiced

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 paprika

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 crushed garlic

  • salt and pepper

  • Creamy Garlic Sauce
  • 4 tbsp 4 (½ stick) unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup 1/4 heavy cream

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 crushed garlic

  • 1 tbsp 1 fresh parsley, chopped

  • salt and pepper

Directions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 380F/ 190C for 3-4 minutes. When ready, spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Prepare the salmon fillets (remove the skin if necessary) and using a sharp knife cut each filet into 1-inch squares.
  • Prepare the marinade in a medium sized bowl, adding the olive oil, crushed garlic, lime juice, sweet paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Add the cubed salmon to the bowl and toss everything together until the salmon is evenly coated, then place it into the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry in batched for 8 minutes, checking half way through and give them a good shake. Once cooked, remove immediately from the airfryer, set aside and repeat the same for the second batch.
  • While the salmon is cooking, you can prepare the garlic cream sauce. Start by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  • Next, add the heavy cream, chopped parsley, and seasoning of your choice to the saucepan. Stir everything together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
  • Once the salmon bites are done cooking in the air fryer, serve them with rice and pour over garlic cream sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!