Miso Air Fryer Salmon Bites (with oven instructions)

Name: Miso Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 1 lb salmon filet; olive oil for cooking; fresh cracked pepper; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/4 cup white miso paste; 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar; 4 tbsps maple syrup, (honey works too!); 2 tbsps mirin; 1/2 tsp grated ginger

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Miso Air Fryer Salmon Bites are covered in a sweet and tangy glaze and made with less than 10 ingredients. With just a little bit of olive oil, you’ll have perfectly crisp and tender salmon bites in only a few minutes!

I am a total salmon lover. There is something about a tender piece of salmon covered in sauce and paired with rice and veggies that I can’t resist.

This nutrient-dense dish is full of omega-3s which keep me going throughout the day. Pair it with these sautéed green beans with garlic and lemon, this rice with ginger, and avocado for a delicious and quick lunch or dinner.

And if you love salmon as much as I do, you’ll want to give these Salmon Rice Bowls a try for an easy meal prep dish or quick meal throughout the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Salmon 101: If you’ve been trying to convert someone to a salmon lover, this is the recipe to do it! The sweetness from the miso sauce mellows the fishiness of the salmon, making it the perfect introductory dish.
Repeat-worthy: While this recipe calls for an Asian-inspired miso glaze, you can easily change up the sauce (see variations below), making it a weeknight go-to over and over again.
Quick AND Impressive: These salmon bites are so easy to prepare, but no one would know it! Whether you’re on a date night or feeding your family, this is the perfect recipe to impress everyone at the table.

Salmon, white miso paste, maple syrup, and fresh ginger portioned on a table with a dish cloth on the side.

Ingredients You Will Need

Salmon: I prefer to use fresh, never frozen wild-caught salmon because I think it has the best flavor. I also prefer using skinless salmon fillets because I don’t usually eat the salmon skin.

Salmon in the freezer section at your local grocery store is ok too! Wait for it to thaw out completely before prepping.

Butter: melted butter is one of the main ingredients in the miso glaze mixture. Be sure to pick up unsalted butter, or your glaze will be way too salty.

White miso paste: white miso paste is made from rice, barley, and soybeans. This fermented paste has an umami flavor that is nutty and sweet and has one of the mildest flavors of other miso.

Rice wine vinegar: rice vinegar is made from fermented rice and is very common in Asian dishes. It has a mildly sweet flavor.

Maple syrup: maple syrup is added to this recipe to bring together the tangy umami and savory salmon. You can also use honey in replacement for the maple syrup.

Mirin: this is made of rice yeast and alcohol. It has a very bold umami flavor that is perfect for marinades, like this miso sauce for fryer bites.

Fresh ginger: grated ginger is added to the miso mixture to add a unique and invigorating spice. You can also use ginger paste, typically found in the produce section of grocery stores.

Note: you can add soy sauce for an additional layer of savory, umami flavor to the miso glaze.

Air fryer salmon bites in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

How to make Miso Salmon Bites

Salmon bite cubes on a cutting board with a dish towel to the side.

Step 1. Prepare the salmon. Remove the skin from the salmon and slice it into 2-inch cubes.

Cooked miso salmon bites with crispy edges in an air fryer basket.

Step 2. Air fry the salmon bites. Toss the salmon nuggets in olive oil and black pepper. Air fry in a single layer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until they begin to brown on the edges and have reached an internal temperature of 120° F.

A silicone pastry brush brushes miso glaze onto salmon bites inside an air fryer basket.

Step 3. Prepare the miso glaze. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the miso paste, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, mirin, and grated ginger. Bring to a light boil, and remove the pan from the heat immediately.

A pair of chopsticks holding one miso salmon bite in front of rice and bok choy.

Step 4. Add the glaze. When the salmon is ready, brush the glaze over the top and sides of the crispy salmon bites. Continue cooking for 2-3 more minutes or until the glaze caramelizes. Finish with sliced green onions and/or sesame seeds.

Oven Instructions

Cook the salmon. Preheat the oven to 425° F and line a baking sheet with foil lightly sprayed with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish. The internal temperature should be 135° F when the fish is cooked through.
Add the miso glaze. Remove the fish from the oven and preheat the broiler to high. Brush the miso glaze over the fish (top and sides) and place it back in the oven on the top rack.
Broil. Cook the fish for 1-2 minutes under the broiler until it begins to caramelize and has crispy edges. Keep a close eye on it because it happens quickly! Finish with sliced green onions and/or sesame seeds.

Note: If your rack is too close to the broiler, move it down a bit; you don’t want the fish to touch it!

Miso air fryer salmon bites in a blue bowl with bok choy and rice.

Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe Variations

Blackened Salmon Bites: blackened seasoning (cajun seasoning) is great for when you want something a little more cajun-like. The strong flavors come from the spices that are in the seasoning, like cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, and salt and pepper.

Bang Bang Salmon Bites: Bang Bang Sauce can be put on many different proteins and veggies for extra flavor. All you need are four simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand! Toss your salmon bites in the creamy sauce both before and after they’re cooked for the best flavor.

Note: reserve some of the bang bang sauce to use on the cooked salmon before tossing it with the raw salmon.

Honey Garlic Salmon Bites: honey garlic salmon bites are super easy to make and have an incredible flavor. Add honey and garlic together and either drizzle it over your salmon cubes before cooking or you can toss your cubes in a small bowl and stir. If you don’t have honey for this variation, maple syrup works just as well.

Salmon cubes on a white cutting board with a knife and fresh ginger.

FAQ’s

How do you cut salmon cubes?

Using a sharp knife (I prefer a serrated knife) and cutting board, cut your salmon into one or two-inch cubes against the grain. If the skin remains attached, place a knife in between the skin and the salmon flesh and slide the knife so that they’re separated.

What pairs best with salmon?

My favorite side dish to pair with this Asian-inspired salmon recipe is Sesame Garlic Baby Bok Choy. You can also pair your salmon bites with veggies and side dishes like these Chili Lime Roasted Carrots, Asian Cucumber Salad, or even Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

What is the best way to cook salmon?

Air frying, broiling, and pan-frying are all great ways to cook salmon. All options are quick, easy, and give the fish that perfect crispy skin while remaining tender on the inside.
Air fryer salmon is the best secret to a flavorful and healthy weeknight dinner in 15 minutes or less.

How to Store Salmon Bites

Miso Salmon Bites are great to eat right out of the air fryer or to make as meal prep for the week. To store your leftover salmon chunks place them in an airtight container for up to four days.

There are a few ways to reheat leftover salmon bites. You can either toss it back into the air fryer, put it in the oven, or place it in the microwave.

To reheat in the air fryer, place tender salmon bites in a single layer at 350 degrees F for around five minutes, turning halfway through.

To reheat your bites in the oven, place them on a baking sheet covered in foil at 275 F for about 10 minutes.

Lastly, if you’re warming up your meal prep for the week in the microwave, place a wet paper towel over your miso salmon bites and heat at 30-second intervals until warm.

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5 from 7 votes