Name: Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound skinless salmon filet, cut into 1-inch cubes; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons melted butter; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 3 garlic cloves, minced

There’s something irresistibly fresh about these tender, buttery bites of salmon kissed with lemon and garlic. This Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe turns out beautifully flaky, juicy, and packed with flavor in just minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick, impressive meal.

The image shows a white plate filled with small, cooked salmon chunks, each piece golden-orange with light grill marks and specks of herbs and black pepper. The salmon pieces are spread loosely over the plate, with a slight glistening from the natural juices and oil. To the left side of the plate, there is a silver fork resting among the salmon chunks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a soft cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m totally hooked on this Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe—it’s that perfect mix of ease and elegance. You get beautifully cooked salmon, without the fuss of overcooking or splattering oil all over the kitchen.

Speedy Prep and Cooking: From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes—great for whipping up a last-minute dinner that feels fancy.
Juicy, Flavorful Salmon: The lemon garlic butter truly elevates the natural richness of the salmon, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Air Fryer Magic: Little salmon cubes cook evenly and get a delicate crust without drying out, thanks to the air fryer’s quick circulation.
Versatile Serving: These bites shine on salads, macro bowls, or alongside your favorite veggies—plus, they reheat nicely for leftovers!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a key role in making these salmon bites sing with flavor while keeping the prep simple and straightforward. Using fresh lemon juice and minced garlic in melted butter gives a bright, rich sauce that clings beautifully to the salmon cubes.

Flat lay of fresh pink salmon filet cut into bite-sized cubes, three whole garlic cloves with papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl of bright yellow lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly ground black pepper, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Skinless Salmon Filet: Cubed for quick air frying and tender bites; skinless means no fuss peeling later.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the salmon’s natural flavors without overpowering.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of subtle heat.
Melted Butter: Creates the luscious lemon garlic butter sauce that keeps the bites moist and indulgent.
Lemon Juice: Offers a zesty brightness that balances the richness of the butter and salmon.
Garlic Cloves (Minced): Gives that irresistible aromatic garlic punch to the butter sauce.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this recipe is—you can easily tweak it to suit your taste buds or whatever you have on hand. Whether you want it extra garlicky or a touch more citrus zing, it’s easy to adjust!

Extra Herbaceous: I sometimes toss in fresh chopped parsley or dill at the end for an herbal lift that brightens the buttery sauce.
Spicy Kick: If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne before air frying—it adds a lovely warmth without overpowering.
Low-Sodium Version: Cut back on salt if you’re watching sodium, and boost flavor with extra lemon zest or fresh herbs instead.
Different Citrus Twist: Swap lemon juice for fresh lime juice or orange juice for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe

A white plate holds two layers of food on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is finely chopped green and pale green vegetables mixed together in a loose pile, with some small bits of white visible. On top lie ten pieces of cooked salmon, browned on the edges and showing a soft pink color, arranged in a scattered pile mostly in the center. To the left of the salmon, two lemon wedges with a pale yellow color rest on the vegetable layer. A silver fork is placed on the right edge of the plate, its tines resting on the vegetable layer. The overall scene looks fresh with soft natural light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Toss with Butter, Lemon, and Garlic

I start by cutting my salmon into bite-sized cubes—about 1-inch pieces work perfectly for quick cooking. Toss them gently in a bowl with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out the flavor. Next, I add melted butter, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic right into the same bowl. Toss everything until the salmon bites are evenly coated. This mix is the heart of our delicious sauce, so I make sure every piece is nicely covered but not swimming in it.

Step 2: Line the Air Fryer and Arrange Salmon Bites

One key trick I’ve learned is to use an air fryer liner—these little mats or parchment specifically for air fryers stop that buttery sauce from dripping through the basket. Lay it down first, then evenly spread out your salmon bites. Avoid overcrowding so the hot air can circulate around each piece for even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer or a lot of salmon, I recommend doing this in two batches. No shaking or flipping needed here, which saves time.

Step 3: Air Fry for the Perfect Cook

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the salmon bites for 5 to 7 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your cubes and your air fryer’s power. I usually aim for 6 minutes for that tender, flaky interior paired with just a hint of browning on the outside. The garlic butter will bubble around the pieces, making the kitchen smell incredible.

Step 4: Serve and Drizzle with More Garlic Lemon Butter

Once they’re done, I serve these salmon bites immediately for the best texture and flavor. Don’t forget to drizzle any leftover lemon garlic butter from the bowl on top—it’s pure gold! These bites are fabulous on their own or added to salads, grains, or your favorite veggies.

Top Tip

From countless tries, I’ve picked up these handy tips that make this Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe foolproof and extra tasty every time.

Use an Air Fryer Liner: It keeps the sauce in place and makes cleanup a breeze—trust me, this step makes a huge difference.
Don’t Crowd the Basket: Overcrowding causes uneven cooking, so cook in batches if needed for perfectly crisp edges.
Fresh Garlic Matters: Mince your garlic finely or even grate it for a smoother sauce that coats every bite with pungent flavor.
Watch the Timer Closely: Because salmon cooks fast, a minute too long can dry it out—start checking at 5 minutes to keep it tender.

How to Serve Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or dill over the salmon bites just before serving—it adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh herbal note that works beautifully with garlic and lemon. A wedge of lemon on the side is always welcome too, especially if anyone wants an extra citrus kick.

Side Dishes

This recipe plays well with so many sides—I often serve these salmon bites with roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, or a vibrant mixed green salad. For something lighter, steamed green beans or cauliflower rice are my go-to choices. They also make excellent protein additions to quinoa bowls or grain salads.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or a special dinner, I like to skewer the salmon bites with toothpicks for cute little appetizers that guests can grab easily. Sometimes, I build mini salmon bowls layered with herbed couscous, avocado slices, and a drizzle of extra garlic lemon butter for an impressive, colorful presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If I have leftovers, I cool the salmon bites to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 days. When I reheat, the texture stays moist as long as I’m careful not to overcook again.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen these salmon bites because fresh really is best, but if you need to, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They should keep well for 1 to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I lightly warm them in the air fryer at 350°F for just 2 to 3 minutes or microwave gently in short bursts to avoid drying out. Adding a splash of melted butter or lemon juice before heating helps keep them juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salmon with skin on for this recipe?

While you can use salmon with the skin on, I recommend removing it when making Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe for more even cooking and easier eating. Skin-on pieces might need a slightly longer cook time and can be a bit trickier when coating with sauce.

How do I prevent the salmon bites from sticking to the air fryer basket?

Using an air fryer liner or parchment paper designed for air fryers is key. It prevents the buttery sauce from dripping and stopping the salmon from sticking and tearing when you remove it. Also, a light spray of non-stick cooking spray helps if you're not using a liner.

Can I make the lemon garlic butter sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the lemon garlic butter in advance by melting the butter and combining it with lemon juice and minced garlic, then refrigerate it. When ready to cook, toss it with the salmon bites before air frying. Just bring the sauce back to room temperature or gently warm it for easier mixing.

What sides pair best with Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe?

Salmon bites pair wonderfully with fresh green salads, garlic roasted vegetables, quinoa or couscous, and creamy mashed potatoes. For a lighter meal, steamed asparagus or cauliflower rice are also perfect complements.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for a quick seafood fix. It’s so simple but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—trust me, once you try these perfect little bites, they’ll be popping up on your weekly menu again and again.