Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with your new weeknight dinner obsession: the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe! These crave-worthy little salmon cubes are impossibly tender inside, perfectly caramelized outside, and overflowing with the sweet-savory flavors of a homemade teriyaki blend. With bright green beans, fluffy rice, and just a handful of fresh, flavorful ingredients, this dish brings restaurant-quality flair to your dinner table in a flash. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal-prepping for the week, or just treating yourself, this air fryer magic never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how effortless the ingredient list is, yet each component plays a starring role. Every element—right down to the garnishes—brings out the very best textures and flavors for the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe.
- Salmon fillets (cut into cubes): Choose fresh, firm fillets for the juiciest, most flavorful bites every time.
- Teriyaki sauce: This is the heart of the marinade, infusing the salmon with a glossy, umami-packed sweetness.
- Soy sauce: Adds deep, salty undertones that balance out the sweetness of the teriyaki beautifully.
- Mayonnaise: Acts as a creamy binder, keeping the interior of your salmon bites rich and moist.
- Oyster sauce: A secret flavor booster for complexity and savory depth—you’ll taste the difference!
- Salt & pepper: Simple but essential—season to taste for perfectly balanced bites.
- Additional teriyaki (for brushing): A quick final glaze after air frying creates irresistible caramelization.
- Garlic (minced): Aromatic garlic lifts the green bean side dish with a punch of robust flavor.
- Green beans: Their bright color and crispness bring a refreshing contrast alongside the savory salmon.
- Coarse salt: A generous sprinkle perks up those sautéed green beans marvelously.
- White rice (for serving): Fluffy, neutral rice lets those teriyaki flavors truly shine from first bite to last.
How to Make Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe
Step 1: Cut Salmon into Bites
Start by slicing your salmon fillets into beautifully even, bite-sized cubes. Not only does this help every piece cook evenly, but it also creates irresistibly snackable portions that soak up the marinade and caramelize perfectly in the air fryer.
Step 2: Marinate the Salmon
Next, in a mixing bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, mayo, oyster sauce, salt, and pepper until you have a creamy, even marinade. Toss your salmon cubes in, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes (longer if you have the time!) so that every bite becomes infused with sweet-salty, umami-rich goodness.
Step 3: Air Fry the Salmon Bites
Arrange the marinated salmon bites in your air fryer basket in a single layer so they crisp up rather than steam. Cook at 375°F for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway with tongs. This ensures even cooking and lovely, golden edges on all sides.
Step 4: Brush and Finish in the Air Fryer
Once the initial cooking time is up, quickly brush each salmon bite with extra teriyaki sauce for a gorgeous, glossy glaze that caramelizes slightly in the final minutes. Pop the basket back in for another 2 minutes—this step brings out signature restaurant-style stickiness that’s utterly irresistible.
Step 5: Prepare the Green Beans
While the salmon is working its magic, blanch your green beans in boiling water for exactly 5 minutes—this keeps them vibrant and crisp-tender. Immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; this trick gives you that bright, fresh snap every time.
Step 6: Sauté the Green Beans
Heat a skillet with a little oil and gently sauté your minced garlic for a fragrant 2 minutes, just until golden. Stir in the blanched green beans and season generously with coarse salt. Sauté everything together for 4–5 minutes until the beans are glossy and garlicky—but still have a perfect crunch.
Step 7: Plate and Serve
Scoop a mound of hot, fluffy white rice on each plate, nestle the piping-hot air fryer salmon bites beside your garlicky green beans, and dig in. It’s a gorgeous, balanced meal that brings the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe to life. Or meal prep for an entire week—you’ll be glad you did!
How to Serve Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe
Garnishes
Bring your plate to life with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, a flurry of finely sliced green onions, or an extra drizzle of teriyaki glaze. Not only do these garnishes add color and crunch, but they also boost the umami and make your Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe look (and taste) restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
These salmon bites shine brightest with white rice and sautéed green beans, as in the recipe, but they’re also delicious alongside brown rice, quinoa, or even a simple Asian slaw for color and crunch. Don’t hesitate to toss in some pickled vegetables or a zesty cucumber salad for extra freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this meal into irresistible party bites by skewering each piece with a toothpick and lining them up on a platter. Top rice bowls with the salmon, a scattering of green beans, sliced avocado, or nori strips for a sushi-bowl vibe. For meal prep, divide components into containers—the flavors only get better by the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep leftover salmon bites, rice, and green beans in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Storing them separately helps preserve the salmon’s pristine texture and prevents the beans from becoming soft.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze just the cooked salmon bites in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. While rice and green beans can technically be frozen, they’re best made fresh for better texture and taste.
Reheating
The air fryer works wonders for reheating these bites—simply arrange them in a single layer and heat at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. You can also warm them gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave briefly, though air frying maintains that signature caramelized exterior.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw your salmon completely in the refrigerator and pat it dry before cubing and marinating. This ensures the marinade clings well and the texture stays beautifully tender.
What can I use instead of oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, hoisin sauce is a great swap and brings sweet, savory complexity. If you’re keeping it gluten-free, try a dash of coconut aminos or extra teriyaki sauce for similar depth.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Preheating isn’t strictly necessary, but it can help give your salmon bites a jumpstart on that caramelization and even cooking. If your air fryer heats up quickly, you’re all set to pop the salmon right in!
Can I make the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe spicy?
Yes! Add a spoonful of sriracha or toss red pepper flakes into the marinade for a spicy kick. Or, drizzle chili oil over the finished dish for customizable heat that everyone can control.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Definitely. The sweetness of the teriyaki and the approachable taste of salmon often wins over even picky eaters. Just keep the seasoning mild and serve alongside plenty of rice and veggies for a balanced, family-friendly meal.
Final Thoughts
It’s impossible not to rave about the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe—quick, healthy, and packed with fun, flavor, and incredible texture, this dish is one you’ll find yourself coming back to week after week. Grab your ingredients, fire up the air fryer, and I promise, a new favorite is just minutes away!
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Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
Enjoy the perfect blend of flavors with these crispy and savory Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites. Tender salmon bites marinated in a rich teriyaki and soy sauce mixture, air-fried to perfection, and served with garlicky green beans and fluffy white rice.
Ingredients
Salmon Bites:
- 4 salmon fillets (cubed)
- 4 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp mayo
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For Brushing:
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
Green Beans:
- 2 cups green beans
- 2 tsp coarse salt
Others:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- White rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Cut Salmon: Begin by cutting the salmon into bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate Salmon: In a bowl, mix teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, mayo, oyster sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the salmon bites to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.
- Air Fry Salmon: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the marinated salmon in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Brush with Teriyaki: After 12 minutes, brush the salmon with additional teriyaki sauce and air fry for another 2 minutes until crispy.
- Prepare Green Beans: Boil the green beans for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water. In a skillet, sauté garlic for 2 minutes, add green beans and salt, and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the salmon bites with the green beans and white rice for a delightful meal.
Notes
- You can customize the marinade by adding ginger or chili flakes for extra flavor.
- Ensure the salmon is cooked through but still moist and tender.
- Feel free to garnish with sesame seeds or scallions before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry, Saute
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Air Fryer, Teriyaki Salmon, Green Beans, Easy Dinner
