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Craving an Asian-inspired recipe for salmon bites? Marinated in honey sesame ginger sauce and cooked using your preferred method – air fryer, oven, or stovetop for the perfect weeknight dinner.
about these honey sesame ginger salmon bites
Are you on the hunt for the perfect recipe for salmon bites? These honey sesame ginger bites will make you forget about takeout. Tender, juicy salmon cubes get a quick marinade in a sweet-savory sauce that doubles as the finishing glaze – no extra prep needed.
You can cook them however works best for you. Pop them in the air fryer for maximum crispiness, pan-fry for a golden crust, or bake them in the oven. Each method delivers perfectly cooked salmon in about 10 minutes or less.
I’ve made these for quick solo dinners and fancy date nights alike. They never disappoint. Pile them over rice, add your favorite veggie (broccoli, peppers, cucumber salad, etc), and dinner’s done. That’s faster than scrolling through delivery apps trying to decide what to order.
ingredients
salmon. You can buy a skinless salmon fillet, or by one with skin-on and remove the skin yourself. Try to get a fillet that is equal thickness throughout if possible. Atlantic salmon or farmed salmon are delicious options. If you need to buy two smaller salmon filets, you can do that too.
sesame oil. Sesame oil is super nutty and flavorful! It brings a lot of depth to the sauce/marinade.
soy sauce. We like to use reduced sodium soy sauce, but you can use regular soy sauce if you prefer. You can also use tamari, if you prefer.
honey. Use your favorite honey for this recipe.
ginger. Fresh ginger is best! We like to have fresh ginger paste in our fridge for an easy shortcut.
sriracha. While this is optional, it brings a nice touch of heat or spice to the marinade/sauce. Chili garlic sauce is another option to use.
garnish. You can garnish this recipe with freshly sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
this recipe’s must haves
For this recipe, you will need a plastic cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife to remove the salmon skin and cut the meat into cubes.
To make the salmon bites, you can use your air fryer, place them on a lined half sheet baking pan, or use a cast iron skillet.
here’s how to make this recipe for salmon bites
prepare salmon
Remove the skin from the salmon fillet if it is on. Cut the salmon into 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes, cutting them as evenly as possible.
marinate
In a medium bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sriracha, if using. Add the salmon bites to the mixture, tossing to coat.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours.
cook using desired cooking method
Remove the salmon bites from the marinade. Cook according to the cooking method you prefer, whether that is air frying, pan frying, or roasting in the oven. Each specific cooking method is outlined in detail in the recipe card below.
serve
Remove the cooked salmon bites from the air fryer, oven, or skillet. Place the bites back in the marinade and toss to coat.
Serve over rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad with desired garnish. Drizzle with any remaining sauce.
tips and tricks
cut similar sized cubes. Be sure to cut the salmon bites into similar sizes. This allows for the bites to marinate and cook evenly, regardless of the cooking method you use. If you have some smaller pieces, be sure to keep an eye on them during cooking to make sure they don’t overcook.
marinate at least 30 minutes. Give the salmon at least 30 minutes to marinate to get the best flavor!
add a touch of acid. Want to add some brightness? Add a splash of lemon juice or lime juice to the marinade.
More quick Asian-inspired meals to cook: Singapore Street Noodles | Kimchi Udon | Easy Dumpling Soup | Curry Udon
how long do salmon bites take to cook?
The total cooking time for these salmon bites varies depending on the cooking method you select. If you use the air fryer, it will take only 5 to 6 minutes. For the oven, it will take 10 minutes to cook. When you pan fry the bites in a skillet, it takes about 5 minutes.
what’s the best way to cook salmon bites?
In the recipe card below, we provide three different methods of cooking these salmon bites: oven, pan-fried on the stovetop, or in the air fryer. Personally, we like to use the air fryer because it is the easiest! However, any cooking method works wonderfully for this recipe for salmon bites.
can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
You can use frozen salmon in this recipe. Make sure that you thaw the fish completely and pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then you can process with cutting it into bite-sized pieces and marinating it.
can I make the marinade in advance?
The marinade can be made up by itself to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not let it sit too long or the salt flavor will become too prominent.
Need some inspiration for side dishes? Check out my side dish recipes page!
what to serve with salmon bites
We like to serve these salmon bites over a bed of your favorite rice, whether it’s white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Another grain option would be cooked quinoa!
You can also serve them over a green salad for a well balanced meal and a way to cut down on carbs.
If you want to pair these salmon bites with a side dish, you can serve them alongside roasted vegetables or even your favorite pasta dish.
how to store
Store. Do not let cooked salmon sit out at room temperature for more than 20 minutes. Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for storage. They will last for up to 2 days.
Reheat. You can reheat the salmon bites in the oven set to 400˚F for about 6 to 10 minutes, until warmed through. The bites can also be warmed on the stovetop in a skillet.
more delicious salmon recipes to enjoy
This creamy salmon chowder is a warm bowl of comfort that’s ideal for any chilly night.
Baked lemon garlic salmon is the simplest preparation ever. By baking it in foil, it’s loaded with citrus and super tender.
This salmon sandwich is fresh and flavorful, slathered with a creamy dill sauce and topped with fresh greens.
Finally, if you make this recipe for air fryer salmon bites recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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honey sesame ginger salmon bites
equipment
ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet equal thickness throughout
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp freshly minced ginger or ginger paste
- 2 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce, optional
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
instructions
- Remove the skin (if skin is on) from the salmon and cut into even 1 1/2 inch cubes. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sriracha (if using) until combined.
- Add salmon bites to the bowl, tossing to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to marinate (up to 6 hours).
- Cook salmon bites using one of the cooking methods outlined below.
air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F, if your appliance requires preheating. Add salmon pieces to the basket or tray. Do not discard the marinade. Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes, until fully cooked through.
- Remove from the air fryer and add back to the marinade/sauce. Toss to coat.
- Serve as desired, over rice, noodles, or a salad. Garnish with green onion slices and sesame seeds.
stovetop
- Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat with 2 tsp neutral oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, etc). Once hot, add the salmon bites to the pan. Do not discard the marinade. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on the other side, until cooked through.
- Remove from the skillet and add back to the marinade/sauce. Toss to coat.
- Serve as desired, over rice, noodles, or a salad. Garnish with green onion slices and sesame seeds.
oven
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F while the salmon bite marinate. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Place the salmon bites on the prepared pan. Do not discard the marinade.
- Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and add back to the marinade/sauce. Toss to coat.
- Serve as desired, over rice, noodles, or a salad. Garnish with green onion slices and sesame seeds.
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