These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal! Imagine tender, juicy salmon bites coated in a savory teriyaki marinade, air-fried to perfection, and served with a refreshing avocado cucumber salad and a spicy sriracha mayo. This recipe is easy to make and comes together in just 50 minutes, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights or a casual gathering with friends.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Healthy: The teriyaki marinade infuses the salmon with a delicious sweet and savory flavor, while the avocado cucumber salad adds a refreshing and nutritious element.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal ingredients, making it perfect for beginner cooks or busy weeknights. The air fryer makes cooking the salmon a breeze, and the salad and sriracha mayo are quick to assemble.
- Versatile: Serve this Teriyaki Salmon Bites with rice, quinoa, or your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Itโs also great for meal prepping or packing for lunch.
- Restaurant-Quality: You can easily recreate the flavors of your favorite Japanese restaurant at home with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites
- Salmon fillet: Use fresh, wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen salmon, ensure itโs fully thawed before marinating.
- Teriyaki sauce: Use your favorite store-bought teriyaki sauce or try a homemade version for a more personalized flavor.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor to the marinade.
- Cornstarch: Helps to create a light coating on the salmon and thicken the marinade slightly.
- Salt and pepper: Season the salmon to perfection.
For the Avocado Cucumber Salad
- Avocados: Diced and adds a creamy texture and healthy fats.
- Cucumber: Sliced into half-moons and adds a refreshing crunch.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy and acidic element to the salad.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor to the salad.
- Salt and pepper: Season the salad to perfection.
For the Sriracha Mayo
- Mayonnaise: The base of the creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Sriracha sauce: Adds a spicy kick (adjust to your preference).
- Lemon or lime juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
To Serve
- Cooked rice: Jasmine or basmati rice is recommended, but any type of cooked rice will work.
- Sesame seeds: Adds a nutty crunch and visual appeal as a garnish.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Teriyaki Salmon Bites
Step 1: Marinate the Salmon
Cut the salmon fillet into bite-sized cubes. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add the salmon cubes to the marinade and gently toss to coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for a deeper flavor.
Step 2: Air Fry the Salmon
Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC). Arrange the marinated salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. If necessary, cook the salmon in batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, or until the salmon is cooked through and has a slightly crispy exterior.
Step 3: Make the Avocado Cucumber Salad and Sriracha Mayo
While the salmon is cooking, prepare the avocado cucumber salad. In a mixing bowl, combine the diced avocados, sliced cucumber, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Toss gently until well combined. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, lemon or lime juice, and salt until smooth.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Place a portion of cooked rice on each plate, followed by the air-fried salmon bites. Add a scoop of the avocado cucumber salad beside the salmon. Drizzle the sriracha mayo over the salmon or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Salmon selection: Opt for fresh, wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen salmon, ensure itโs fully thawed before marinating.
- Marinating time: For the best flavor, marinate the salmon for at least 20 minutes. If you have time, extending it to 30 minutes can deepen the flavors even more.
- Cooking options: If you donโt have an air fryer, you can bake the salmon bites in a preheated oven at 425ยฐF (220ยฐC) for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Salad freshness: Prepare the avocado cucumber salad just before serving to maintain its crispness and prevent the avocado from browning.
- Serving suggestions: For an extra touch, garnish with sliced green onions or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
How to Serve
These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are delicious with a variety of sides:
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is a classic pairing for teriyaki salmon.
- Quinoa: For a healthier option, serve the salmon bites over cooked quinoa.
- Vegetables: Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or asparagus.
Make Ahead and Storage
These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for later.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover salmon bites, salad, and sriracha mayo separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Itโs best to enjoy this dish fresh, as the texture of the salmon may change upon reheating. However, if you need to reheat, do so gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of fish? Yes, you can! Other firm-fleshed fish, such as cod, mahi-mahi, or tuna, would also work well in this recipe. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
2. Can I make this recipe without the marinade? Yes, you can! Simply season the salmon bites with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices before cooking.
3. Can I make this recipe spicier? Absolutely! Add more sriracha to the sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the salmon bites before air frying.
4. Can I add other vegetables to the salad? Definitely! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the salad, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or edamame.
This Teriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a flavorful and healthy meal. With its simple preparation, versatile serving options, and beautiful presentation, itโs a recipe youโll want to make again and again!
PrintTeriyaki Salmon Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer, Oven
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are a delicious and healthy meal thatโs ready in under an hour! Tender salmon is marinated in a flavorful teriyaki sauce, then air-fried to perfection. Served with a refreshing avocado cucumber salad and a spicy sriracha mayo, itโs a simple yet satisfying dish thatโs perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
-
For the Salmon Bites:
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
-
For the Avocado Cucumber Salad:
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
-
For the Sriracha Mayo:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or lime juice
- Salt, to taste
-
To Serve:
- 2 cups cooked rice (jasmine or basmati, preferred)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate Salmon: Combine teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add salmon bites and marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- Air Fry Salmon: Preheat air fryer to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC). Arrange salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and slightly crispy.
- Make Avocado Cucumber Salad: Combine diced avocados, cucumber, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss gently.
- Make Sriracha Mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, lemon or lime juice, and salt.
- Assemble and Serve: Serve cooked rice topped with air-fried salmon bites. Add a scoop of avocado cucumber salad and drizzle with sriracha mayo. Garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use fresh, wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and texture.
- Marinate salmon for at least 20 minutes for optimal flavor.
- If you donโt have an air fryer, bake salmon bites at 425ยฐF (220ยฐC) for 12-15 minutes.
- Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain freshness.
- Garnish with green onions or red pepper flakes for extra flavor and color.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ยผ of recipe (with rice and salad)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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