Bite-sized pieces of salmon are coated in homemade Cajun seasoning and then cooked until golden brown and crispy in the air fryer in just minutes. The homemade blackened seasoning mix makes these blackened salmon bites easy to throw together any night of the week! Serve them in salmon tacos, on top of a salad, or over a bed of rice for a simple meal your whole family will love! {Gluten-free, paleo & low carb}
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Easy Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Cajun Seasoning
We try to eat fish weekly to take advantage of the omega-3 fatty acids, B12, and protein, but sometimes, we get in a rut and need to switch it up. These crispy blackened salmon bites have an elevated flavor, but they are so easy to make and are more casual than many salmon recipes.
It makes cooking fish a little less daunting. Plus, that delicious seasoning blend disguises any “fishy” taste, so it’s great for even non-fish lovers!
Tender, flavorful, quick, and nutritious…what’s not to love?
For more blackened seafood recipes, try this Blackened Cod Recipe and these Blackened Shrimp Tacos too!
What is the best way to cook salmon bites?
For this recipe, I wanted to highlight a simple way to prepare more fish and have included instructions for both air frying and cooking them on the stovetop.
Both methods are simple, but air frying is hands-down the easiest way and my preferred method.
Place the salmon pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket, then bake! You don’t have to monitor the salmon to control how much it’s browning, and it’s ready in just a few minutes.
Ingredient Notes
- Skinless salmon fillets: Dice these into 1-inch cubes to help them cook consistently. The easiest option is to buy skinless salmon fillets, but if you can’t find them, use a sharp knife to cut off the skin carefully.
- Olive oil: Helps ensure the spices stick to the salmon and the salmon crisps up nicely.
- Cajun seasoning mix: My homemade blackening mix is made with common spices, including smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne (to taste).
Optional Garnishes:
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- Freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or scallions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Directions:
- Mix all of the blackening spices together in a small bowl. Make sure it is blended evenly.
- Thoroughly pat the diced salmon dry with paper towel. Place in a large bowl and toss with olive oil. You can also drizzle on a couple of drops of honey as well, if desired.
- Add the blackened seasoning mix and toss with salmon pieces until well coated.
To make in air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place salmon in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 5 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway until the salmon is cooked through in the center and browned and crispy on the outside.
- Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over top and finely diced fresh parsley or cilantro to serve.
To make on stove top:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. A nonstick or stainless steel skillet will only take 30 seconds to a minute to heat, whereas a heavy skillet like cast iron may take a few minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and swirl around to coat. Use tongs to remove the salmon cubes from the bowl and place them in the skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using the tongs, flip the salmon and sear on the other side for 2-3 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked.
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Expert Tips
- Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. When fully cooked, the internal temperature of salmon should be 145 degrees F.
- If you’re making a lot of salmon bites at once, I recommend air frying in batches or making a larger batch in an oven with convection heat for that all-important crisping.
Storage Guidelines
Refrigerator: Store any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat: You can microwave the fish in bursts, but I prefer to either bake it or gently warm it in a hot skillet. This will also help the exterior of the bites crisp up and have a better texture.
You can freeze the leftovers, but the texture of thawed, cooked salmon isn’t that enjoyable. Since these bites are so easy to make, I prefer making them fresh whenever possible.
Serving Suggestions
These easy blackened salmon bites can be served in countless ways!
- Add to wraps for a pop of flavor
- Make a rice bowl with steamed veggies, brown rice, and your favorite sauce
- Serve with healthy roasted potatoes and veggies
- Add to a salad with cucumbers, peppers, and red onion
- Make salmon tacos
- Serve them as an appetizer with avocado creme
Recipe Variations
- Cook them on skewers: Instead of cooking the salmon chunks separately, you can arrange them on wooden skewers and leave a small gap between each piece. Cook them in the air fryer like normal and serve! They’ll be easier for kids to hold and dip into their favorite dipping sauce.
- Adjust the heat: For more spice, use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. If you’d rather keep them on the milder side, stick to 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. You can also serve the bites with hot sauce or sriracha and red pepper flakes if you really want more heat!
More Healthy Salmon Recipes
There are plenty of ways to add salmon to your diet, whether you’re looking for something quick and easy (like this recipe) or a little fancier.
We love this Walnut Crusted Salmon or Salmon Patties with Crackers on special occasions, but honestly, they’re simple enough to make anytime.
For a Mediterranean flair, you’ll definitely want to try this Mediterranean Salmon. It’s gorgeous serve with roasted veggies or rice, but I especially love it over a bed of greens for a warm salad.
But this Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe is absolutely a must-try. Literally 4 ingredients and you get juicy, tender salmon completely infused with flavor. The best quick and easy dinner!
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Air Fryer Blackened Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more if you prefer it spicier, less if you prefer less spicy)
Optional Garnishes
- Squeeze of lemon or lime juice
- Freshly chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Mix all of the blackening spices together in a small bowl. Make sure it is blended evenly.
- Thoroughly pat the diced salmon dry with paper towel. Place in a large bowl and toss with olive oil. You can also drizzle on a couple of drops of honey as well, if desired.
- Add the blackened seasoning mix and toss with salmon pieces until well coated.
To Make in Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place salmon in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 5 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway until the salmon is cooked through in the center and browned and crispy on the outside.
- Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over top and finely diced fresh parsley or cilantro to serve.
To Make on Stove Top
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. A nonstick or stainless steel skillet will only take 30 seconds to a minute to heat, whereas a heavy skillet like cast iron may take a few minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and swirl around to coat. Use tongs to remove the salmon cubes from the bowl and place them in the skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using the tongs, flip the salmon and sear on the other side for 2-3 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to taste. If you prefer spicy salmon bites, use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. If you’d rather keep them on the milder side, stick to 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- For the easiest option, try to find skinless salmon fillets. If you can’t find them, use a sharp knife to cut off the skin carefully.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. When fully cooked, the internal temperature of salmon should be 145 F.
- Be careful that you don’t overcook the salmon, or it will turn out dry and tough rather than moist and flaky.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in September 2024, and the text, formatting and some images were updated in February 2026.
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