Description
A quick and easy 15-minute dinner featuring crispy, golden salmon bites tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, cooked perfectly in the air fryer without any breading or frying oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680g) skinless, boneless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) neutral oil (avocado or light olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (for dry rub)
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cooking spray or oil for air fryer basket
Instructions
- Pat the salmon cubes dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Place salmon cubes in a mixing bowl and drizzle with neutral oil.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt; toss gently to coat evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange salmon bites in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping bites halfway through.
- Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- While salmon cooks, melt butter in a microwave or small saucepan.
- Whisk in minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt to make the sauce.
- Transfer cooked salmon to a serving bowl and drizzle with warm garlic butter sauce.
- Toss gently to coat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispiness; cook in batches if necessary. Pat salmon dry thoroughly before seasoning to prevent steaming. Salmon continues to cook slightly after removal from heat, so pull it when slightly translucent in the center. For oven baking, cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 6-8 bi
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: air fryer salmon, garlic butter salmon, crispy salmon bites, quick dinner, healthy seafood, keto friendly, weeknight meals