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Salmon bites are tender, flavorful cubes of salmon seasoned and cooked until perfectly flaky. This single serving salmon bites recipe shows you how to make them in the oven, in an air fryer, or on the stove in just minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Cook: Cutting the salmon into cubes helps it cook faster than a whole fillet, so these easy salmon bites are ready in about 10 minutes.
- Three Cooking Methods: Make oven baked salmon bites, air fryer salmon bites, or pan seared salmon bites using the same simple seasoning.
- Perfectly Portioned: Uses one 5-ounce salmon fillet, so you get just the right amount.
- Big Flavor in Every Bite: Cutting the salmon into cubes creates more seasoned surface area so every piece is packed with flavor.
- High in Protein: Salmon bites are rich in protein and healthy fats, making them a satisfying meal.
I love how quickly these salmon bites come together. Each piece is full of flavor from edge to edge, and they cook up beautifully golden in just minutes. I often grab one straight from the pan while they’re still warm and lightly crisp around the edges. It’s a simple, fresh meal that feels special without taking much time at all.
Serve these salmon bites with a single serving of cilantro lime rice, sautéed green beans, or roasted broccolini for a simple, balanced meal. You can also use them in place of shrimp in a bang bang rice bowl for a flavorful twist.
If you’re looking for more single serving salmon recipes, try our sheet pan salmon, roasted salmon, or broiled salmon.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch salmon bites recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Salmon: This recipe uses one (5-ounce) salmon fillet, cut into 1 inch cubes. Cutting the salmon into cubes allows it to cook quickly and creates more surface area so the seasoning coats every piece. I leave the skin on because I enjoy eating it, but you can remove it before or after cooking if you prefer.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the salmon and encourages browning whether you bake, pan sear, or air fry.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: These season the salmon and bring out its natural flavor. I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt because its lighter flakes dissolve quickly and make it easier to control the seasoning.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a mild garlic flavor without overpowering the salmon.
- Paprika: Adds color and a subtle warmth to the salmon. You can use regular or smoked paprika depending on the flavor you prefer.
Best Salmon To Use
Use fresh or fully thawed salmon for best results. Both farmed and wild salmon work well in this recipe. Choose a center cut fillet so the cubes are similar in thickness and cook evenly. If using frozen salmon, thaw it completely and pat it dry before cutting and seasoning.
Recipe Variations
Try one of these popular flavor options:
- Honey Garlic Salmon Bites: After cooking, brush the salmon with 1 teaspoon honey mixed with 1 teaspoon soy sauce and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Cajun Salmon Bites: Use 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning in place of the spice blend for a bolder flavor.
- Teriyaki Salmon Bites: Toss the salmon in 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce before cooking.
- Garlic Butter Salmon Bites: After cooking, toss the salmon with 1 teaspoon melted butter and a pinch of garlic powder.
How To Make Oven Baked Salmon Bites
These photos and instructions show how to make single serving oven baked salmon bites. For ingredient amounts and full details, see the recipe box below. Scroll down for pan seared and air fryer methods.
- Cut the Salmon: Cut the salmon into evenly sized cubes.
- Mix the Seasonings: In a small bowl, stir together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Season the Salmon: Place the salmon cubes in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top. Toss gently until each piece is evenly coated.
- Arrange: Place the salmon cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
How To Make Pan Seared Salmon Bites
See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Prepare the salmon as directed above.
- Heat the Pan: Place a skillet over medium high heat and add 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Let the pan heat before adding the salmon.
- Add the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer in the hot pan.
- Cook Undisturbed: Cook for 2 minutes without moving.
- Flip and Finish: Turn the pieces and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until opaque and flaky. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
How To Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Prepare the salmon as directed above.
- Preheat: Set the air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange: Place the seasoned salmon cubes in the basket in a single layer.
- Cook: Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for Doneness: The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
Expert Tips
- Cut Even Cubes: Cut the salmon into evenly sized pieces so the salmon bites cook evenly.
- Pat the Salmon Dry: If the salmon looks wet, gently pat it dry before adding oil and seasoning. This helps the salmon brown better.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Whether baking, pan searing, or air frying, keep the salmon bites in a single layer so they cook properly and develop color.
- Do Not Overcook: Salmon bites are done when they are opaque and flake easily with a fork. For the best texture, remove them from heat at 135°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salmon bites cook quickly. In the oven at 400°F, they take 8 to 10 minutes. In the air fryer at 400°F, they take 4 to 5 minutes. On the stove, they cook in about 4 to 5 minutes total.
Salmon bites are done when they reach an internal temperature of 135°F and flake easily with a fork.
The salmon should look opaque and separate easily into flakes when pressed gently with a fork. For accuracy, use a thermometer and check for 135°F in the center.
It is up to you. Salmon bites can be cooked with the skin on or removed before or after cooking.
Yes. Thaw the salmon completely in the refrigerator, then pat it dry before cutting and seasoning.
Store salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet over low heat or in a 300°F oven just until heated through. Avoid high heat, which can dry out the salmon.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you try these oven baked, pan seared, or air fryer salmon bites, or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen, I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave a rating and a comment below.
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Single Serving Salmon Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (5-ounce) salmon fillet
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut the salmon into evenly sized cubes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the salmon cubes in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top. Toss gently until each piece is evenly coated.
- Place the salmon cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
Notes
- Cut Even Cubes: Cut the salmon into evenly sized pieces so the salmon bites cook evenly.
- Pat the Salmon Dry: If the salmon looks wet, gently pat it dry before adding oil and seasoning. This helps the salmon brown better.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Whether baking, pan searing, or air frying, keep the salmon bites in a single layer so they cook properly and develop color.
- Do Not Overcook: Salmon bites are done when they are opaque and flake easily with a fork. For the best texture, remove them from heat at 135°F.
- Heat the Pan: Place a skillet over medium high heat and add 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Let the pan heat before adding the salmon.
- Add the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer in the hot pan.
- Cook Undisturbed: Cook for 2 minutes without moving.
- Flip and Finish: Turn the pieces and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until opaque and flaky. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
- Preheat: Set the air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange: Place the seasoned salmon cubes in the basket in a single layer.
- Cook: Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for Doneness: The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 135°F.
