Salmon Bites – Get ready to meet your new favorite salmon recipe! Bite-sized chunks of flaky salmon coated in savory spices and just-enough heat are addictively delicious and undeniably healthy. Unbelievably versatile, you can serve them as a quick snack, an easy appetizer, or a satisfying main dish.
Growing up in Cameroon, I developed a love affair with seafood at an early age. Even today, I crave fish regularly. And this recipe ticks all the boxes on my list of what makes fish great. It’s incredibly easy, uses a few pantry-staple ingredients, and comes together in a flash.
It’s also insanely versatile! You can serve it as a snack, an appetizer, or a main dish over a bed of rice or quinoa. And each salmon bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious with bold flavors!
What Are Salmon Bites?
Salmon bites are made from salmon filets cut into bite-sized pieces and dredged in seasonings. They are then baked to crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside perfection. You can drizzle them with sauce, serve them with a creamy dip or pile them on your favorite carbs for a healthy, comforting, delicious salmon dish.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon – Our superstar right here is satisfying and good for you. Fresh is best, but frozen salmon fillets also work great.
- Butter – Rich buttery flavor and sticking power for the seasonings is terrific. But olive oil also works if you prefer.
- Flavor – Onion and garlic powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, and cayenne add spice, herbiness, and just the right amount of heat.
How to Make Salmon Bites
Broiled Salmon Bites
- Prep – Preheat oven to broil and place rack about 6” from the heat source. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Mix Seasonings – Add butter, paprika, onion and garlic powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper to a bowl. Place it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Stir and repeat until the butter melts (or you can use oil instead).
- Prep Salmon – Pat dry salmon and cut it into bite-sized pieces (as evenly sized as possible). Place them on a plate or bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the combined seasoning and butter mixture over them and stir gently. Let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes if time permits.
- Broil – When ready to cook, place the salmon on the prepared baking tray and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Broil for 3-4 minutes. Then flip and continue broiling for another 3 minutes until fork tender or it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
Air-Fryer Salmon Bites
Lightly spray the basket with oil. Working in batches, place seasoned salmon in an even layer in the basket. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, flipping once until the salmon is cooked through or reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Remove and serve with peri-peri sauce as an appetizer or seasoned rice as a main course.
Recipe Variations
- Be saucy! Once cooked, drizzle garlic butter over the salmon bites or serve them with teriyaki or soy sauce on the side for an Asian flare.
- Citrus is a fantastic complement to salmon! Squeeze lemon or lime juice over it for a burst of freshness.
- No salmon on hand? No worries! You can make these mouthwatering bites with halibut, cod, tuna, or trout.
Tips and Tricks
- My number one tip is to remember that salmon cooks quickly. Please don’t leave it unattended while cooking, or it may dry out.
- Cut the salmon as uniformly as possible because the uniform size ensures the fish cooks evenly.
- You can test when the salmon is done without a meat thermometer. Press it gently with a fork (or your finger, being careful not to burn yourself!). When the salmon is done, it will gently flake.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This recipe comes together in a jiffy and can be prepared shortly before serving. But if you want to jump on things, you can cut the salmon into bite-sized pieces, toss them in the seasoning earlier in the day, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Then prepare dinner in no time flat!
Serving and Storage Instructions
This five-star meal has top-notch leftovers! Salmon bites store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Then reheat in the oven at 275℉/135℃ for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Or serve them cold on a salad or in tacos!
Cooked salmon bites can also be frozen for up to two months.
FAQs
I’m 100% in the skin-on group! It’s tasty and provides delicious crispiness. But you can remove the skin and get the same amazing deliciousness.
While I love the robust taste of wild-caught salmon, fresh farm-raised fish also works. But the great thing about this recipe is you can use whatever fresh salmon you have available.
Either way is delectable! I love serving them hot as a main dish beside my favorite sides. Or stick toothpicks in them and serve them cold as an appetizer.
What to Serve With Salmon Bites
Serve as an appetizer or a snack with some exotic dipping sauces like remoulade, homemade dill, or homemade tartar sauce.
Or serve as a main dish over a bed of quinoa or rice pilaf with a side of spicy roast garlic broccoli or parmesan-crusted baked asparagus. Then sit back and enjoy the compliments!
More Delectable Salmon Recipes to Try
- Oven-Baked Salmon
- Blackened Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Salmon Salad
- Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
- Stuffed Salmon With Spinach
Conclusion
Tender, flaky, and wrapped in layers of flavors, salmon bites are set to become your new family favorite! Hungry for more healthy, tasty weeknight meal options? Follow me on Instagram for weekly recipe ideas!
Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds salmon fillets, skinless or skin on
- 3-4 tablespoons unsalted butter (and/or olive oil)
- 2 teaspoons granulated onion (or powder)
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic (or powder)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to broil and place rack about 6” from the heat source. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add butter, paprika, onion and garlic powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper to a bowl. Place it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Stir and repeat until the butter melts (or you can use oil instead).
- Pat dry salmon and cut it into bite-sized pieces (as evenly sized as possible). Place them on a plate or bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper, then pour the combined seasoning and butter mixture over them and stir gently. Let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes if time permits.
- When ready to cook, place the salmon on the prepared baking tray and lightly spray it with cooking spray.
- Broil for 3-4 minutes. Then flip and continue broiling for another 3 minutes until fork tender or it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Lightly spray the basket with oil. Working in batches, place seasoned salmon in an even layer in the basket.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes, flipping once until the salmon is cooked through or reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
- Remove and serve with remoulade sauce as an appetizer or seasoned rice as a main course.
Tips & Notes:
- My number one tip is to remember that salmon cooks quickly. Please don’t leave it unattended while cooking, or it may dry out.
- Cut the salmon as uniformly as possible because the uniform size ensures the fish cooks evenly.
- You can test when the salmon is done without a meat thermometer. Press it gently with a fork (or your finger, being careful not to burn yourself!). When the salmon is done, it will gently flake.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Lily says
Was my first time trying the oven baked method and it came out just right
Imma says
Awesome!!! Thank you, Stay tuned for more amazing recipes.