These 6-minute Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites are great on top of a salad, served with rice or your favorite grain, or in a bowl with veggies and sauce.
Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites
There’s no mistaking I love salmon, and I love my air fryer. So, making salmon in the air fryer is probably the protein I cook most in it! It’s quick, doesn’t make a mess, and comes out perfectly. Blackened salmon is also one of my favorites, so I hope you enjoy these crispy Blackened Salmon Bites as much as I do! More air fryer recipes you may like, Air Fryer Salmon Sandwich, Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze and Chili-Lime Air Fryer Salmon, and for more blackened seafood recipes, try this Blackened Shrimp and Grits and Blackened Fish Tacos.
To air fry salmon for quick meals and bowls, I love to cut them into smaller bites and season them with blackening spices or even cajun seasoning if you want to make them even simpler!
Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients
- Salmon: Fresh or frozen salmon will work in the air fryer. Just make sure to thaw it first if frozen.
- Olive oil spray for spraying the basket and salmon
- Blackened Seasoning: Sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme and oregano, salt, black pepper
How To Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Prep Salmon: To air fryer salmon, put the salmon cubes in a large bowl and spritz with olive oil spray. Combine all the spices and rub the mixture over the salmon.
- Air Fry: Temp and time can vary when making salmon in the air fryer when you look at other recipes, but I like to cook it at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness, for the best results. Shake the basket halfway through and air fry until the salmon is fully cooked and browned.
Helpful Tips
- If the salmon is frozen, it’s best to let it thaw before air frying. You can do this a couple of ways: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, or place the fish, sealed in a bag, in a bowl filled with cold water and let it sit for 30 minutes. If it’s still frozen, dump the water and refill the bowl with fresh, cold water to ensure the fish doesn’t come to room temperature.
- Always shake the basket halfway so the fish browns on all sides and cooks evenly.
- The leftover salmon bites can be refrigerated for three days. To reheat salmon in the air fryer, heat it for about three minutes at 350°F, shaking halfway.
What to Eat with Salmon Bites
- As a Main: I serve these blackened salmon bites with lemon wedges and parsley over brown rice. Make a quick side salad or roasted veggies if you want something green.
- Salmon Bites Bowl: Add more veggies, like cucumber, avocado, and tomatoes, to the rice and top it with a sauce like key lime tartar or horseradish sauce.
- Salad: Top any salad with these crispy salmon bites and drizzle with your favorite dressing.
- Tacos: Wrap the fish in corn tortillas and top with cabbage slaw and a creamy yogurt sauce.
More Salmon Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Salmon Sandwich
- Chili-Lime Air Fryer Salmon
- Sweet and Spicy Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze
- Basil-Parmesan Crusted Salmon
More Air Fryer Salmon Recipes
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Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Equipment
- Air Fryer (I love this pretty white one from AllCool)
Ingredients
- 4 6 ounce skinless salmon filets, diced in 1 inch chunks
- olive oil spray
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- lemon wedges, for serving
- chopped parsley, for garnish
- brown rice, optional for serving
Instructions
- Place salmon in a large bowl and spritz the salmon with oil.
- Combine all the spices, from paprika to black pepper in a small bowl and mix. Rub all over the salmon.
- Spray the basket with oil.
- Place salmon in the air fryer basket and air fry 400F about 5 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway until the salmon is cooked through in the center and browned all over.
- Serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Outstanding, just the right amount of spice. Hubby finished dinner and is still raving about it.
Perfect! 🙂
I just bought some smoked salmon fillets: would that work for this recipe? This looks really good!
Regarding saltiness… the recipe calls for kosher salt, which has large flakes. If you are using regular table salt, you should use half as much.
No air fryer
Can you cook in oven?!
Holey moley are these delicious! and so easy to make. Have put recipe on my weekly menu list. Next time, for me, will cut down amount of salt. Thank you!
These were so tasty!!! And so quick to make. A great alternative to the standard salmon filet- more energy efficient, too. Will need to experiment with the perfect accompanying dip for these.
Told hubby to save half for a salad – not going to happen! He loved them!
These bites were the best I’ve ever had !! The seasonings were perfect and with a little kick to them !
Soooo good! I mixed up a little sriracha mayo to go with it and served with broccoli and rice!!!! I’ve made it many times and it does not disappoint!!
I have been meaning to make these for quite sometime and finally got around to it. My husband and I loved them! I could not put them down. My 15 year old son thought they were too “salty.” That just means more for me. LOL.
This was a winner! So fast, easy, and delicious!!
This is the BEST tasting and easiest Salmon recipe! We make it for poke bowls or eat it on it’s own. It has become a weekly request from my sons and a healthy and delicious recipe to whip together quickly after working all day. A family favorite!!
Forgot to leave it 5 stars!
The salmon pieces with the blackened seasoning are delicious. The seasoning gave the salmon a nice kick and the lemon gave it a bright taste. Served it over rice and would definitely make it again!
Wow. I didn’t expect it to be this good, it’s so simple. Perfect blend of spices, perfectly cooked in 7 minutes. Just delicious.
I really love this blackend salmon airfryer bits . Made them for a sallad, next time i try them with rice.
This recipe turned out great! My kids loved it as well. Thank you for sharing! It will definitely be on rotation!
This is my go to recipe for salmon. My family loves it & I make it at least once a week. The spices are just right, can’t recommend it enough!!
This recipe is magnificent!! I made it twice in a week and can hardly wait to make it again. Winning combination, healthy and delicious and so easy and quick!!
On Repeat!
I have made this so many times. Not cheap these days, but quick, delicious, healthy, filling and high protein.
I didn’t have thyme but otherwise followed to the letter. Unbelievably delicious! Husband doesn’t like fish and has asked me to make this again 3 days later.
Really enjoyed this, very quick to get on the table and super tasty!
This was excellent. I served over riced cauliflower and both of my kids ate it (which is a feat).
100% will make again as it was easy, healthy and a hit.
Delicious and so easy!!
I am trying to learn to like salmon, since it’s so good for you. This was really good!! I will definitely make it again. Another great recipe from Skinnytaste!
Thanks Terri! Glad you enjoyed it!
simple, fun, tasty, easy to make for a quick dinner. I put my blackened salmon bites in some whole wheat tortillas for soft tacos!
Absolutely delicious!! Had it with your cilantro lime rice, some black beans and steamed broccoli! Tried to put a picture but it wouldn’t let me!
We had these last night. We both loved it! Nice and quick
So easy and tasty. Tried my first blackened salmon and first time making salmon in the air fryer and this will be made again since it was quick and easy
Quick and easy. I used avocado spray oil as that’s all zi had. It was fast and delicious. I paired it with a cucumber and tomato salad for a healthy lunch.
Gina, this dish is absolutely delicious and easy to make! I served mine on a bed of baby spinach, arugula and English cuke slices with a little bit of Greek salad dressing. My husband said it was restaurant quality salmon! 😁
Incredibly easy and insanely good! Love this recipe, thank you for sharing it!
My weekly meal prep always includes this recipe (I think it’s even better cold!). I’m a pescatarian, so I also use this recipe swapping salmon for tofu. I wrap tofu in a napkin for 30 mins and put a cast iron pan on top to get a lot of the water out. Then cut, marinate for 30 mins before air frying for about 20 mins at 375. It comes out crispy and delicious. I use it in salads, wraps, and even just as a snack. Love this recipe!
This is a weekly staple in my house. Versatile. Great cold the next day. Typically served with a bagged salad. Such a great EASY quick weeknight meal.
Glad you enjoy it!
Do you preheat your air fryer prior to putting in the fish? I get nervous to over-cook fish. Thanks!
You don’t have to
tasty, too much salt. I recommend 1/2 as much
Amazing recipe! So delicious and is done in minutes. This is a staple now in our house.
Didn’t have sweet paprika, used smoked paprika, and work just as well!
I love this recipe. I’ve made it twice this week! So good and easy.
This was my first time making salmon, and this was so easy and delicious!
Can you make this with mahi mahi?
I don’t see why not! Let me know how they come out if you try them!
Quick, easy, tasty. My picky 3 year old enjoyed these ❤️
Perfect!
This recipe is phenomenal! I couldn’t believe how delicious these salmon bites turned out, and they were ready so fast. This is going in the permanent weeknight rotation! I wouldn’t change a thing, but my daughter thought they were too spicy. You can cut the cayenne for kids.
My daughter found this recipe. Super easy, super quick, and super delicious.
Delicious and perfectly cooked in 10 minutes? Sign me up!
This was so simple and delicious. I honestly just bought blackened seasoning and it did the trick. Also we drizzled some Yum Yum sauce on top to get I’ve some more flavor and moisture.
This is now one of my husband’s favorites. So good and so easy. Also is good on a salad.
so deicious!!
These are the most delicious. Renting a beach house that doesn’t have an air fryer and want to make this one night. Any reco for how to cook in the oven or stove top? Thanks!
You can bake it 400F I am guessing 10 min?
Perfect, thanks!
Definitely my go to salmon recipe now for so many dishes! Love it, and my family does too! So easy!
Simply delicious.
The salmon was perfectly cooked after 6 minutes, and the spicing was perfect.
Serve with salt potatoes and griddled asparagus for a sumptuous mid-week dinner.
Are you kidding me?! This is one of the best things I have ever eaten. I cannot believe how simple it was. I had to make a couple of substitutions because of what I had on hand. Smoked paprika for the sweet paprika, chipotle for the cayenne. So perhaps the way it came out is a little smokier than what the author intended. Not only will I make this again, but it will be on my weekly rotation menu somewhere. Thank you!
Made it 3 times now and delicious every time. Super easy.
Omg. Best recipe I’ve ever made off this site. I’m going to use chicken once because my mom won’t eat fish. And I also think I’m gonna use the same combination of spices to make blackened mahi-mahi tacos
Thoughts about using smoked paprika instead?
Yes!! That’s what I use. It’s fabulous!
I made these to top my greek salad- they are awesome with the Tzatziki sauce. perfect recipe.
I love this for fish tacos as well as salmon bites!
LOVED this recipe. I put it on sweet potato instead of rice. On rotation for me!
I have made this dish a few times now and it always comes out delicious.
So good! and so easy!! Thanks Gina.
Amazing recipe simple yet top notch restaurant quality keep them recipes comin
Wow. I am a pretty okay cook – not great, not bad. But this meal was restuarant quality. I made it exactly as described and put it over rice with avocado and cilantro. My family loved it. Yum, yum, yum.
I’ve made salmon a lot of ways but this one is my favorite, hands down! And so so easy.
Thanks Stephanie!
Best salmon I’ve ever had! The flavor of the spices we’re so perfect, with just a bit of heat. I served the leftover salmon bites over avocado toast (sourdough) and it’s INCREDIBLE
Absolutely love this recipe! Spicy but so tasty. Even my husband goes back for 2nds. I serve it with rice.
My go to recipe to use in my salmon bowls. Just the right amount of spice!
This was amaaazing! Great use of my air fryer and now my new favorite way to make salmon. We ate it with roasted baby potatoes and broccolini. Soooo good! I want to try it as fish tacos next, or on a salad.
I imagine I could use a different Fish?
Very delicious. I followed the recipe exactly. We will definitely be making this again. Thank you for all you wonderful healthy recipes!
This was so good! I love our usual salmon prep but was in the mood for something different. This was excellent. We followed exactly – served on brown rice and with the parsley and lemon slices. Thank you!
Skinnytaste was my go-to when I was experimenting in my first kitchen as a college senior in 2012/2013. Although I haven’t visited the site in years, I made this recipe today and it was fantastic.
Welcome back!!
It was easy and good but a little too spicy for me.
We put the salmon bites on a tortilla wrap add some cole slaw and a little srirachi sauce. This has become one of our favorite, easy meals
.
Absolutely delicious!! Thank you quick and favorable.
I’ve made this every week for the past month by request from my family. I’ve also saved myself the hassle of taking the skin off and rubbing avocado oil on a whole slab of salmon, putting this rub on the top, and then baking it at 400 as well. Delicious both ways and a huge crowd pleaser!
If I’m making salmon this is my go to recipe. It’s so flavorful and the bites remain tender.
Thank you. This was perfect on my salad this evening. Definitely a keeper
This is a favorite of mine which I have since shared with friends/family who love it also! I make exactly as written w more or less cayenne depending on who is eating.
This was so yummy. Super easy to make and very versatile. My boyfriend loved it, will definitely be adding this into the rotation!
I was happy with how easy they were to make and I loved how the salmon was bite size but the seasoning was a bit over powering, not many fans around the dinner table. However, I’m enjoying the leftovers for lunch, I drizzled Mike’s Hot honey over them and the touch of sweet heat sealed the deal for me.
Very easy and yummy! Good not ask for a quicker weeknight meal…and still super healthy.
Easy to make. Delicious!
These were absolutely incredible! Highly recommend. I cooked them with zucchini & feta boats as a side.
Super easy and super delicious! My hubby who didn’t care for fish, asks me to prepare this at least once a week. Recipe is also great with chicken. We fight over leftovers.
It goes great with cilantro lime dressing as a dipping sauce or even plain.thanks for the outstanding recipe!
Thanks Samantha!
Super yummy and easy!
Made this tonight for the first time. I am sold on these Salmon bites. Doesn’t look like I’m alone from reading all the comments. I have an instapot that is also an air fryer. I made corn on the cob, rice and parmesan roasted zucchini to go with the salmon. I happen to have another piece of Salmon in the fridge that I plan on cooking using this recipe. Possibly thinking about making fish tacos or maybe a salad topping with the salad. The possibilities are endless.
Thankyou for the jewel of a recipe. I’m doing weight watchers so I know this will be a meal I can incorporate often and not get bored.
Great, easy recipe to do. Had it with brown rice and tomato cucumber salad. Planning to do it as tacos next week.
Love everything about this recipe – easy, quick, delicious and so many options for it! I made salmon tacos out of the leftovers with slaw and drizzled sriracha mayo. Thanks for another keeper!
Delicious! Just made this tonight. Added it to trader joes spanish rice, black beans and zucchini! So so so good!
Absolutely amazing and so easy to make.
I’m not sold on the air fryer yet, but this really is delicious and super easy!
Quick, easy, delicious!
Easy and delicious!
Wow…! I made this for the first time today and 10/10 recommend. It was bursting with flavor, love this little spicy kick it has. Super easy to make. I added some brown rice and it was so satisfying! Definitely will make this again! Can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow!
So good! I didn’t have sweet paprika, so I used smoked and left out the cayenne pepper (my kiddos don’t do too spicy). I served the salmon bites with your key lime tartar sauce, rice (cauliflower rice for me!), and roasted asparagus. Thank you for the yummy, healthy recipe!
I love Salmon but it was even better prepared this way. I’m going to go a little less on the salt next time but that’s a personal preference. Just wonderful. Served with rice and broccoli and I made a Sriracha aioli to drizzle over it.
This turned out so good! Having it with the Skinnytaste Perfect Brown Rice recipe and a salad.
Oh my gosh! Another amazing recipe!! Thank you, Gina!
I have made this recipe multiple times. It is spicy and delicious as well as being really quick! My go-to dinner when I have salmon!
I just made the recipe and it was fabulous- I avoid eating salmon but the spice are spot on.
OMG!!!! Delicious!!! I made it on the broiler ( I do not have an Air Fryer) 4 minutes in one side 3 on the other… SPECTACULAR!!!!
This is SO delicious! I could eat it every day.
An incredibly easy and delicious lunch! I paired the salmon bites with a Dill Ranch bagged salad and the dressing complimented the salmon wonderfully!
Fantastic recipe! Perfect texture. I cooked for 9 min in the Breville air fryer.
Made this a couple times now. My NEW favorite way to eat salmon. I’m in the pacific northwest, so that’s saying alot.
I’m new to salmon. This recipe was delicious. I added a tsp of brown sugar. Will def be making this again.
OH MY GOODNESS!! These are delicious and a super quick meal!
I made this last night for dinner, served with steamed veggies, black beans, and a little bit of rice. It was AMAZING! Definitely going to be adding this recipe to my salmon recipes. Yum!
Super easy, delicious and healthy!!!
This salmon recipe is so good! One of my favorite go-tos when I wan something flavorful but am short on time.
Very good. So great to do in 8 minutes in the air fryer. I sprayed with spray as stated and rubbed piece of salmon with spices–I had about a one pound piece of salmon (Jail House) skin on and just cooked it as one piece. So good. A favorite Thanks
This was so easy and delicious! Definitely going into the normal rotation!
Unbelievably easy, quick and tasty recipe that is a big hit in my family!
Incredibly delicious! This has become a staple recipe in our house….over salad , over rice…YUM!
So crispy good!!! I made the salmon and served with leftover kale salad…. Yum!! Way to go Gina!
Important to note that you only need to lightly coat the salmon . So you HAVE to rub them not just coat them. I put the chunks into my seasoning bowl and just tossed it around and they are wwaaay too seasoned. I can barely eat them even with a greek yogurt dip.
Awesome salmon recipe
This was so good! I made a salmon bowl with rice, black beans, corn, zucchini and the blackened salmon. Will make again soon!
Very easy to make and were absolutely delicious. Squeezed some lime on them at the end. Can’t wait to try them in tacos.
This recipe was fantastic! So easy to prepare.
I was skeptical making this… I left out the cayenne because I didn’t have it, and used smoked paprika because it’s what I had, and OMG. This is a winner! I saw the comments about lime tartar so I made a dipping dice with green yogurt and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime seasoning. It was sooo good!
These are delicious!! I made it into a salmon bowl with the key lime tartar sauce and everyone in my family love it. Even the kids! Will definitely make again.
This is become our go-to for making salmon. It is absolutely delicious with the blackening seasoning listed in the recipe, or you could use one already prepackaged.
These are delicious and easy! Next time I’m going to try it with the key lime Tartar.
Tried this recipe for the first time tonight and it was a huge hit! My dad said it is the best salmon he has ever had! I made it exactly as described in the recipe and it turned out amazing! It is also super easy for a weeknight meal.
I have made this like 10 times and it’s delicious! So simple! I pair it with a Cesar salad and a piece of garlic bread and it’s perfect.
I love salmon, but am terrible at cooking in the air fryer because of inconsistent thickness. Part would be dry and rubbery in order to get the thicker part done. This solves that problem! It is so delicious. I have made this 3 times in the last 10 days. It’s great for cooking for one, and company worthy. A perfect recipe.
Yummy. Will definitely fix again and again
So good and easy also! This has become a regular at our house. 💖
So easy! spice blend is perfect. Served with rice and broccoli.
So good! I cut back on the cayenne a bit and served these over rice with edamame and stir fry veggies! Topped everything with a bit of Kewpie Mayo and Trader Joe’s Coconut sriracha sauce combined. So good, this will go into rotation!
Would love to make this. I have the Pampered Chef air fryer and there isn’t a basket (to shake). It has two sheets. Can this still be made the same but just rotate the top and bottom sheet half way through?
Sure
This is AMAZING!!
Easy, delicious, and healthy……what a great recipe!
I put it on top of some brown rice & quinoa, then topped it with mango salsa.
I LOVE IT!!
Oh, I also made the Key Lime Tarter Sauce for snacking……WOW!!
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed it!
I made this recipe even though my husband dislikes salmon. He raved about how good it is, said he approves and called our daughter (who won’t eat fish of any kind) and said she should try it. I thought it was delicious.
Lol. Glad he enjoyed it!
These were so good and super easy for a quick dinner! My husband who doesn’t eat salmon tried one (I made half the recipe for dinner and one lunch since it was supposed to only be me eating this) and wants me to make it again with enough for him!
These are really good. I’ll put a smidge less cayenne next time but other than that really easy, healthy, and quick after a long work day. But also delicious!
Can I do this with chicken breast? Any adjustments to cooking if I do?
Sure!
Just finished eating this for dinner and it was so good I just had to come here to comment! Very flavorful. Didn’t have lemon this time but will make sure I have it next time I make it as I think it will make it even better. Will definitely make again.
This recipe was delicious! Served it over cauliflower rice that I sauteed with some minced garlic and then added scallions, sliced cucumber, diced tomatoes and avocado. Squeezed lime juice over everything and topped with cilantro. Def will be in my regular rotation. Love your recipes!
Tried for the first time and it’s AMAZING! You truly can put on anything. I’m not an air fryer pro but this was simple and pretty fool proof. I decided to use cauliflower rice as a base and it was great. Will be putting this in the monthly rotation from now on.
Great!!
Easy to make. A little on the spicy side though. Delicious.
Super simple to make and tried it in the oven, since I don’t own an airfryer and it worked great!
tHIS LOOKS AND SOUNDS DELICIOUS! How would you suggest I cook this without an airfryer??
Skillet would work about 3 min on each side!
How about a baking sheet in the oven? Like roasted?
425 should take about 10 min
Hi what kind of air fryer do you use or like best?
Sooooo good!! My husband said I have to make again – that’s how I know he liked it! I served it with jasmine rice and cucumber.
These were great!! We loved the way the salmon got crispy and that ever bite was seasoned. It’s a great way to use “oddly shaped” salmon filets because you cut them up anyway. We don’t love things super spicy so I cut back on the cayenne…I will cut back more on it next time and I will also cut back on the salt a bit.