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Air fryer salmon bites with smoky spice coating and golden-brown edges on a plate

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Smoky Spice Blend Recipe

Air Fryer Salmon Bites are a quick, flavorful seafood dish with a smoky seasoned coating and tender, juicy centers. They are perfect for easy weeknight meals when you want a satisfying recipe with bold flavor and great texture.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 188
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salmon
  • 1 lb. salmon (see note 1)
Smoky Spice Blend
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
  • 2-3 teaspoons avocado or olive oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Remove the salmon skin if needed, then pat the fish dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into 1 to 2 inch cubes.
  2. Combine the spices in a small bowl until evenly mixed.
  3. Add the salmon cubes and oil to the seasoning mixture, then toss until the pieces are coated.
Cooking
  1. Arrange the seasoned salmon pieces in the air fryer basket with space between them so they are not stacked closely together. Air fry at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) for 8 minutes.
  2. Check the salmon texture before serving. The outside should be textured and golden while the inside remains juicy and flakes easily with a fork. For a softer medium doneness, cook for 6-7 minutes instead.

Notes

For the salmon, a thick boneless, skinless piece works well because it can be cut into cubes easily. The seasoning amount works for 1 to 1.5 pounds of salmon; if using closer to 1.5 pounds, the coating will be lighter and you may want to adjust the salt after tasting. If the brown sugar is dry or clumpy, break it apart before mixing so it combines more evenly with the other spices.