These Garlic Parmesan Salmon Bites are crispy, juicy, and coated in an irresistible buttery garlic sauce. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer, they are an effortless way to enjoy seafood without turning on the oven.
With a savory crust and a rich, cheesy finish, these bites are perfect as a protein-packed appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These bites pack a punch of savory flavor with a double dose of garlic both in the seasoning and the butter sauce balanced by the salty nuttiness of parmesan and a hint of heat from chili flakes.
- Texture: The cornstarch coating creates a light, crispy exterior in the air fryer, while the inside remains tender and flaky.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. The air fryer does most of the work, and the sauce comes together in minutes on the stovetop.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a sharp knife to cube the salmon and a mixing bowl for seasoning. An air fryer is essential for getting that crispy texture without deep frying. You will also need a small pan to melt the butter and garlic mixture. The ingredients rely on fresh salmon, a blend of savory spices, and rich garlic butter.
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon – You will need 2 to 3 pounds of salmon. It is best to remove the skin before cutting it into bite-size pieces for even cooking and eating.
- Cornstarch – This is the secret to getting a crispy crust in the air fryer. It absorbs surface moisture and creates a light coating.
- Garlic – This recipe is for garlic lovers. It uses both chopped fresh garlic cloves for the sauce and garlic powder for the dry rub.
- Garlic Butter – The recipe calls for a stick of garlic butter for maximum flavor, but regular unsalted butter works well too since you are adding fresh garlic.
- Seafood Seasoning – Use your favorite blend (like Old Bay or a Cajun mix) to season the fish base.
- Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan melts slightly into the warm butter sauce and sticks to the salmon bites.
- Red Chili Flakes – Adds a nice kick of heat to cut through the richness of the butter.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Herbs – Fresh parsley brings brightness, but you could substitute fresh dill or chives for a different flavor profile.
- Spice Level – If you are sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
- Citrus – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice added to the butter sauce at the end brightens up the dish significantly.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Salmon Bites
- Prep the Salmon: Cut the salmon into bite-size pieces and place them in a bowl. Coat the pieces with some olive oil.
- Season: Add the seafood seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika to the bowl. Mix until the salmon is well combined with the spices.
- Coat: Add the cornstarch (this helps crisp the exterior) and toss until everything is well coated.
- Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350F and grease the basket with oil. Add the seasoned salmon bites, making sure that they are spaced well and not overcrowding the basket. Cook at 350F for about 10 minutes. Halfway through cooking (around the 5-minute mark), flip them over and let them cook for the remaining time.
- Make the Sauce: While the salmon cooks, place a pan over low heat and add the stick of garlic butter. Once melted, add the chopped garlic cloves and move it around. Add the chopped parsley and red chili flakes. Mix well and cook until the garlic is fragrant. Turn off the heat.
- Toss and Serve: Add the cooked salmon bites to a large bowl and pour the garlic butter mixture on top. Sprinkle with the freshly grated parmesan cheese and toss to coat.
Pro Tip: Make sure your salmon pieces are cut to roughly the same size (about 1-inch cubes). This ensures they all cook at the same rate so you don’t end up with some dry pieces and some undercooked ones.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: Air frying works by circulating hot air. If the salmon bites are touching or piled on top of each other, they will steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Check for Doneness: Salmon cooks quickly. The bites are done when they flake easily with a fork or reach an internal temperature of 145F.
- Fresh Cheese: Grate your own parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheese often has coatings that prevent it from melting or sticking to the sauce properly.
FAQs
- Do I have to use an air fryer? While the air fryer gives the best crispy texture, you can bake these in an oven at 400F for 10-12 minutes, though they may not be quite as crispy.
- Should I leave the skin on? For “bites,” it is generally best to remove the skin so the seasoning coats all sides and they are easy to eat.
- Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it very dry with paper towels before cutting and seasoning, otherwise, the cornstarch will turn into a paste.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice Bowl: Serve these over steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice with steamed broccoli.
- Appetizer: Serve with toothpicks as a party snack.
- Salad: Top a Caesar salad with these warm salmon bites for a hearty lunch.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can cut the salmon into cubes earlier in the day and store them in the fridge.
- Best Fresh: Seafood is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Reheating salmon can sometimes make it dry or rubbery.
- Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes or eat cold over a salad.
Garlic Parmesan Salmon Bites
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These Garlic Parmesan Salmon Bites are crispy, juicy, and coated in an irresistible buttery garlic sauce. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer, they offer an effortless way to enjoy seafood without turning on the oven. With a savory crust and a rich, cheesy finish, these bites are perfect as a protein-packed appetizer or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 2 to 3 pounds salmon, skin removed and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon seafood seasoning (like Old Bay or Cajun)
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Olive oil (for coating)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) garlic butter (or unsalted butter)
- 5 to 8 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prep the Salmon
Cut the skinless salmon into uniform 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with enough olive oil to lightly coat.
Season
Sprinkle the seafood seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika over the salmon. Toss gently until the spices are well distributed.
Coat
Sprinkle the cornstarch over the seasoned salmon. Toss again until every piece has a light, even coating. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior.
Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and lightly grease the basket with oil spray. Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching or overcrowding the basket (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through at the 5-minute mark.
Make the Sauce
While the salmon cooks, melt the stick of garlic butter in a small pan over low heat. Add the chopped fresh garlic, parsley, and red chili flakes. Cook gently until the garlic is fragrant (about 2-3 minutes), then turn off the heat.
Toss and Serve
Transfer the cooked, crispy salmon bites to a large clean bowl. Pour the warm garlic butter sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
Uniform Cutting: Cut your salmon into roughly equal 1-inch cubes. This ensures that all pieces cook at the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others remain undercooked.
Don’t Overcrowd: Air fryers rely on circulating hot air to crisp food. If you pile the salmon bites on top of each other, they will steam instead of crisping.
Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best texture, grate your own Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated options often contain anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting smoothly into the warm sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner/Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: air fryer salmon bites, garlic parmesan salmon, keto seafood recipes, easy salmon dinner, crispy salmon bites, healthy air fryer recipes, gluten free dinner
