Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These simple blackened air fryer salmon bites are served with a fresh salsa made from creamy avocado and cool cucumber. With pops of flavor from cilantro and green onion, these elements pair perfectly with the slightly spicy, crispy crust of the blackened salmon.

A bowl of blackened air fryer salmon bites topped with avocado cucumber salsa over a bed of rice.

Why you’ll love these blackened air fryer salmon bites

The blackening seasoning makes these bold and smoky with just the right amount of spice, making each bite irresistibly tasty. Plus, the air fryer cooks these to perfection with a crispy, charred outside and a tender, juicy inside. And the best part? You can whip these up in under 15 minutes, making them a great option for busy weeknights.

These easy salmon bites are incredibly versatile and pair well with everything from salads and rice to roasted veggies. I decided to serve mine with avocado cucumber salsa, which adds a creamy and refreshing touch without requiring any additional cooking.

If you like this recipe, you have to try this honey garlic shrimp, and these teriyaki noodles and this miso glazed salmon.

Searching for more salmon recipes? pecan crusted salmon / teriyaki sesame crusted salmon / salmon with creamy garlic dill sauce / baked lemon garlic salmon / crab stuffed salmon

Close up of blackened air fryer salmon bites with a cucumber avocado salsa.

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Ingredients & substitutions

  • Salmon bites – You can often find salmon already cut into cubes or bite-sized pieces, especially at specialty grocery stores, seafood markets, or in the frozen seafood section of larger supermarkets. These pre-cut salmon pieces are convenient for recipes like blackened air fryer salmon bites – they save you so much time and effort. If you can’t find pre-cut salmon, you can buy whole fillets and cut them into cubes at home.

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

Pieces of salmon in an air fryer basket.

The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to make blackened air fryer salmon bites

Season the salmon. Mix blackening seasonings together in a small bowl. Pat dry the salmon and liberally season with olive oil and blackening seasoning. Set aside and preheat the air fryer to 400˚F.

Air fry. Add seasoned salmon pieces to a preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.

Make the avocado cucumber salsa

Chop and combine. Add chopped avocados, cucumber, green onion, cilantro, lime juice and garlic to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

Be sure to make this salsa just before serving to keep your avocado from browning. If you want to get a little bit prepped ahead of time, try chopping the rest of the ingredients (minus the avocado) and store them in an airtight container until your salmon is in the air fryer.

Quick tip: If you have trouble using your avocado when it is just ripe, try putting it in the fridge. It won’t go bad before you get a chance to use it, and it will continue to ripen slowly.

Salmon pieces in a bowl with jasmine rice and a fresh green salsa.

Everything you need to know about this air fryer salmon bites

  • How long should salmon go in the air fryer? This will depend on the size of the salmon and the temperature the air fryer is set to. Since this recipe is for thick, but bite sized pieces it is best to cook for about 10 minutes at 400˚F. Remember that each air fryer is different and settings may vary.
  • Why is my air fryer salmon dry? If you end up with dry salmon, its because the salmon has been over cooked. Since all air fryers are different, try cutting down the time by a minute or two and you should have juicy, flaky salmon bites next time.

Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 – 6 servings
These simple blackened air fryer salmon bites are served with a fresh salsa made from creamy avocado and cool cucumber. With pops of flavor from cilantro and green onion, these elements pair perfectly with the slightly spicy, crispy crust of the blackened salmon.

Ingredients

For the salmon:
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds salmon bites
  • Salt & pepper
  • Granulated garlic or garlic powder
For the salsa:
  • 3 avocados chopped
  • 1 English cucumber seeded and chopped
  • 4 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

For the salmon:

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Liberally season salmon filets with garlic, salt & pepper.
  • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until salmon has reached an internal temperature of 145˚F.

For the salsa:

  • In a large bowl, add salsa ingredients.
  • Stir to combine.

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal Carbohydrates: 17g Protein: 38g Fat: 33g Cholesterol: 94mg Sodium: 671mg Fiber: 11g Sugar: 3g Vitamin C: 22mg

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