Air Fryer Salmon Pieces
Air fryer salmon pieces are a fast way to turn a couple of fillets into a midweek dinner. Cut into 3cm cubes, the fish cooks in just 8 minutes at 200°C, staying moist inside with lightly browned edges. A simple coating of olive oil, garlic powder and smoked paprika is all the seasoning it needs, and the whole thing takes about 20 minutes. The pieces suit rice bowls, salads and wraps.
- Total
- 19 min
- Prep
- 8 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 480kcal
Before you start: air fryer salmon pieces
Salmon fillets vary in thickness, so cutting them into even cubes matters more than the exact time. Aim for roughly 3cm. Smaller pieces overcook in a minute or two, while bigger ones stay translucent in the middle.
Four hundred grams of cubes fits in one layer in a standard 4–5.5 litre basket. If you double the quantity, cook it in two batches, because piled-up fish steams instead of browning.
How to cook air fryer salmon pieces
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the salmon Pat the fillets dry with kitchen paper and run your fingers over the flesh to check for pin bones, pulling out any you find with tweezers. Cut the fish into even 3cm cubes.
- Season Put the pieces in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Toss gently with your hands until every piece is coated.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for .
- Air fry Put the pieces in the basket in a single layer with a little space between them. Cook for , without turning, until the edges are lightly browned. Start checking at if your pieces are smaller.
- Check and serve The salmon is cooked when it is opaque all the way through and flakes easily when you press a piece with a fork. Lift the pieces out with tongs and serve with the lemon wedges.
What to serve with salmon pieces
Serve the pieces over rice with lemon wedges, or toss them into a salad, a wrap or a noodle bowl. A little sweet chilli sauce or a spoonful of mayonnaise mixed with lemon juice makes a quick dip.
Whole frozen fillets go straight into the basket with different timings, which are in air fryer frozen salmon. Leftover pieces can be flaked through hot pasta, as in pasta with salmon and spinach.
For a different flavour, swap the smoked paprika for chilli flakes, or add lemon zest to the oil before tossing the fish.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Salmon Pieces
- Some pieces are dry while others are still translucent.
- The cubes were uneven. Cut them to the same 3cm size, and put any smaller offcuts in at the 4-minute mark, not at the start.
- The fish sticks to the basket.
- Brush the basket with a thin film of oil before you add the salmon, and wait until the pieces release before you lift them. Do not shake the basket, which breaks them up.
- The pieces are pale and steamed rather than browned.
- The fish was wet or crowded. Pat it dry in step 1, and keep the pieces in one layer with gaps between them.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Salmon Pieces
How long do you cook salmon pieces in an air fryer?
Cook 3cm pieces for 8 minutes at 200°C, after preheating for 3 minutes. Smaller cubes need 6–7 minutes, so check early.
How do you know when salmon is cooked?
It turns from translucent to opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If you use a meat thermometer, 55–63°C in the centre is a good guide for moist fish.
Can you cook the pieces from frozen?
Yes, but they need a different timing. Defrost the fish in the fridge overnight and pat it dry before cutting. To cook whole frozen fillets, see the note on frozen fillets below.
How long do the cooked pieces keep?
Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Eat them cold in a salad or flake them into hot pasta rather than reheating them for long, which dries them out.
How did you like the recipe?
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