Description
Sizzling Crispy Salmon Bites bring Mediterranean zest straight to your plate with golden, perfectly air-fried fish morsels. Delicate salmon chunks deliver irresistible crunch and rich flavor that will delight seafood enthusiasts looking for quick, elegant appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon:
- 1 lb (454 g) salmon fillet, skin removed
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Coating:
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Cooking and Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare salmon by patting it dry with paper towels, ensuring surface moisture is completely removed for optimal crispiness.
- Cut salmon into uniform bite-sized cubes, approximately 1-inch pieces, maintaining consistent sizing for even cooking.
- Season salmon cubes thoroughly with salt and black pepper, gently massaging seasoning into the fish.
- Create a three-station breading setup: first station with flour, second with beaten egg, third with seasoned panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and paprika.
- Dredge each salmon cube systematically through flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dip into egg wash, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll coated salmon pieces in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure crisp, even coating adheres completely.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F, lightly brushing basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange breaded salmon bites in single layer inside air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not touch each other for maximum crispiness.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking basket midway through cooking to promote uniform golden-brown exterior.
- Optional: Sprinkle cayenne pepper for added heat after cooking.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for bright, zesty accompaniment.
Notes
- Always pat salmon completely dry before breading to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
- Use consistent cube sizes for uniform cooking, preventing undercooked or overcooked sections in your salmon bites.
- Experiment with alternative breadcrumb coatings like almond meal for gluten-free options or crushed pork rinds for low-carb diets.
- Enhance flavor profiles by substituting plain seasoning with Mediterranean herb blends or Asian-inspired spice mixes for international variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg