If you’re looking for a fresh, colorful, and nourishing meal that the whole family will love, you need to try my Air Fryer Salmon Bites Bowl! Think tender bite-sized salmon cubes with a garlicky glaze, piled high with fluffy rice and crisp veggies—it’s like a sushi bowl meets weeknight dinner convenience. The best part? This recipe is quick, balanced, and packed with flavor (plus plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon!).
This recipe has everything you’d want in a balanced meal: protein from salmon, fiber from veggies, and carbs from rice to keep you satisfied. And trust me—once you make these crispy air fryer salmon bites, you’ll never look back.
If you love salmon bite bowls, you will absolutely love my air-fryer salmon with strawberry salsa, trader joe's salmon bite bowls, and my air fryer salmon bites with a soy garlic butter!
Also my sheet pan garlic and herb salmon is to die for!
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Ingredients
All you need to make this amazing air fryer salmon bites bowl is:
- Fresh salmon, cut into 1-inch cubes (skin removed)
- Avocado oil (or olive oil)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cooked white rice (or brown rice, sushi rice, or cauliflower rice for a lighter option)
- Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- Avocado, diced
- Carrots, shredded
- Frozen edamame, thawed
- Butter, melted (or sesame oil for dairy-free)
- Brown sugar (or coconut aminos for refined sugar-free)
- Garlic clove, minced
- Primal Kitchen Yum Yum Sauce (or spicy mayo) for topping
- Everything but the Bagel seasoning
See recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep the rice & salmon
Cook rice according to package directions (white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice all work here!). While the rice cooks, cut the salmon into cubes and then pat them dry with a paper towel and toss in a large bowl with avocado oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Step 2:Cook the salmon
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place salmon cubes in a single layer (work in batches if needed for best results). Air fry for 6–8 minutes, until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and has a flaky salmon texture.
- Step 3: Prepare the toppings and make the glaze
While salmon cooks, prepare the cucumbers, avocado, carrots and edamame according to the descriptions above. Then whisk together melted butter (or sesame oil), brown sugar, and fresh garlic in a small bowl. Once salmon is ready, drizzle glaze over the salmon bites and toss gently until coated.
- Step 4: Assemble the bowls
In each bowl, layer ¾ cup cooked rice, ¼ of the salmon bites, cucumbers, avocado, shredded carrots, and edamame. Top with yum yum sauce, sesame seeds, and Everything but the Bagel seasoning. Grab a fork and dig in!
Substitutions
- Rice: Swap white rice for brown rice, sushi rice, or cauliflower rice for fewer carbs.
- Butter: Use sesame oil for a dairy-free version.
- Yum Yum Sauce: Try spicy mayo, bang bang sauce, or even hot honey for a different vibe.
- Veggies: Add air fryer broccoli, bok choy, or red onion for extra flavor.
This recipe is already gluten-free as is.
Variations
- Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl: Add sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the glaze for heat.
- Sushi-Inspired Bowl: Swap rice for seasoned sushi rice and add pickled ginger and rice wine vinegar drizzle.
Equipment
All you need to make my air fryer salmon bites bowl is:
- Air fryer (basket style works best): For those that are looking for an air-fryer recommendation, I love my Instant Pot Dual Basket Air fryer.
- Cutting board + sharp knife for salmon filets
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl for glaze
- Measuring spoons
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.
Storage
- Salmon bites: Store cooled salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back into the basket of the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 375°F. This helps bring back that crispy texture instead of making them soggy.
- Prepped bowls: If you want to meal prep, build the bowls without the avocado and sauce. Add those fresh right before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Freezer option: Cooked salmon bites can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer.
Christina's Dietitian Tip:
This bowl is a complete meal—rich in protein, heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and colorful veggies! To boost staying power even more, sprinkle on sesame seeds for healthy fats or swap white rice for a high-fiber grain like quinoa.
FAQ
Yes! Just thaw completely and pat dry before cutting into 1-inch cubes for best texture.
Yes—bake salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for 10–12 minutes.
Dinner
Looking for other dinnner recipes like this? Try these:
Air-Fryer
Looking for more air-fryer recipes? Try these:
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Easy and Healthy Air Fryer Salmon Bites Bowl
Equipment
- Cutting board + sharp knife for salmon filets
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small bowl for glaze
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Dry white rice or brown rice, sushi rice, or cauliflower rice for a lighter option
- 1.5 lbs fresh salmon cut into 1-inch cubes (skin removed)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 Persian cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 avocado diced
- 2 carrots shredded
- 1 cup frozen edamame thawed
- 1 tablespoon butter melted (or sesame oil for dairy-free)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or coconut aminos for refined sugar-free
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 drizzle Primal Kitchen Yum Yum Sauce or spicy mayo for topping
- 1 teaspoon Everything but the Bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Prep the rice & salmonCook rice according to package directions (white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice all work here!). While the rice cooks, cut the salmon into cubes and then pat them dry with a paper towel and toss in a large bowl with avocado oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Cook the salmonPreheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place salmon cubes in a single layer (work in batches if needed for best results). Air fry for 6–8 minutes, until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and has a flaky salmon texture.
- Prepare the toppings and make the glazeWhile salmon cooks, prepare the cucumbers, avocado, carrots and edamame according to the descriptions above. Then whisk together melted butter (or sesame oil), brown sugar, and fresh garlic in a small bowl. Once salmon is ready, drizzle glaze over the salmon bites and toss gently until coated.
- Assemble the bowlsIn each bowl, layer ¾ cup cooked rice, ¼ of the salmon bites, cucumbers, avocado, shredded carrots, and edamame. Top with yum yum sauce, sesame seeds, and Everything but the Bagel seasoning. Grab a fork and dig in!
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 140 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw fish
- Wash hands after touching raw fish
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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