Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Hot Honey

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Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Hot Honey

Air-fried salmon bits with hot honey are a delicious mix of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. Perfectly crispy air-fried fish pieces are drizzled with a handmade hot honey sauce for a kick. Salmon bits are a hit as an appetizer, main meal, or snack.

Ingredients:

  1. Salmon fillets, skin removed, sliced into bite-sized pieces, 1 pound (450g).
  2. 1 Tbsp olive oil
  3. 1 tsp garlic powder
  4. 1 tsp smoked paprika
  5. 1/2 tsp onion powder
  6. half-tsp ground cumin
  7. Salt and black pepper to taste
  8. Two tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)
  9. Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
  10. Lemon wedges for serving

For Hot Honey:

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (sriracha or your fave)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (to taste)

Equipment:

  • The air fryer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measure spoons
  • Fork or tongs

Instructions:

1. Prepare Salmon:

  • Cut Salmon: Cut salmon fillets into 1–1.5-inch pieces. Uniformly sized chunks ensure even frying.
  • Season salmon: Mix salmon bites with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Season the salmon evenly by tossing.

2. Preheat Air Fryer:

  • Heat the Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating cooks salmon bites quickly and evenly.

3. Cook Salmon Bites:

  • Arrange Salmon: Single-layer the seasoned salmon bites in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches.

Air-Fry Salmon:

  • Shake the basket halfway through cooking the salmon bits at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes. Salmon should be done and somewhat crunchy.

See if done:

  • When it flakes readily with a fork and reaches 145°F (63°C), salmon is done.

4. Make hot honey:

  • Make Hot Honey: Make hot honey while the salmon cooks. In a small saucepan, mix honey, spicy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir occasionally over low heat until the honey is warm and the ingredients are well mixed. Stop cooking and set aside.

5. Serve:

  • Hot honey drizzle: Serve salmon bites on a dish after cooking. Apply hot honey generously to salmon bites.

Garnish:

  • Freshly chopped parsley or cilantro adds colour and freshness.
  • Serve with Lemon Wedges:
  • For added acidity, serve salmon bites with lemon wedges.

6. Enjoy:

  • Dig In: Fresh air-fried salmon bits with hot honey are wonderful. Sweet-spicy hot honey and crispy salmon are enticing.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Selecting Salmon: Use fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for optimal results. Wild-caught salmon tastes better, but farmed works too.
  • Heat Adjustment: Reduce the hot sauce or remove the red pepper flakes from the hot honey for a softer taste. Taste and add hot sauce or pepper flakes for heat.
  • Make It Meal: Serve these salmon bits with rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad for a meal. Hot honey sauce complements many sides.
  • Keep leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight jar in the fridge for 2 days. To keep crisp, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes.
  • Try Flavors: Try different seasonings. Adding lemon zest or fresh herbs like thyme or dill to the spice mix can improve salmon flavour.

Conclusion

  • Air-fried salmon bits with hot honey are seductive because they combine salmon’s richness with honey’s sweetness and heat. Air-fried salmon is crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the interior. This recipe is quick, straightforward, and flavourful, making it perfect for a weekday supper, party appetiser, or special event. Serve these salmon bites and watch them go!

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