These Air Fryer Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites are everything you love about a restaurant-quality salmon dish, made easy right at home. Each bite features tender, perfectly seasoned salmon cooked in the air fryer, then coated in a rich and creamy garlic butter sauce. For another flavorful seafood favorite, try our Bang Bang Salmon.
How To Make Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites
This recipe starts with fresh salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into bite-sized cubes. The salmon is marinated in a simple but flavorful mix of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. After just a short time in the air fryer, the salmon turns golden on the outside and tender inside, perfectly cooked in about 10 minutes.
While the salmon cooks, you’ll whisk together a quick creamy garlic sauce that transforms these bites from simple to spectacular. The sauce combines garlic, butter, and cream to create a velvety coating that clings beautifully to the salmon. Toss the air-fried pieces in the warm sauce just before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – ready in about 20 minutes.
- Air fryer cooking keeps the salmon juicy and tender.
- The creamy garlic butter sauce adds rich, irresistible flavor.
Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or something special for guests, these Salmon Bites deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
Serving Ideas
These creamy garlic salmon bites are versatile enough for any occasion. Serve them as a main dish with sides like Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Browned Butter Brussels Sprouts, or Texas Roadhouse Rolls. They also make a standout appetizer or protein option for grain bowls, pasta, or salads.
Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 2 skinless salmon filets (6 ounces each), cut into 1 inch bites
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 4 tablespoons ½ stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the salmon bites and gently toss to coat.
- Working in batches, place the salmon bites in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Do not overcrowd.) Air fry for 4-5 minutes at 390°F. Flip and repeat on the opposite side, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Place the cooked salmon in a bowl.
- While salmon is cooking, prepare the garlic sauce.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add butter, heavy cream, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir together until the butter is melted and the mixture is fully combined and heated through (4-5 minutes).
- Pour the garlic cream sauce over salmon bites and serve over mashed potatoes or rice.
New Recipes
See More →
Garlic Aioli
Creamy garlic aioli made in minutes. Perfect for air fryer French fries, burgers, sandwiches, or dipping your favorite snacks.
Irish Brown Soda Bread
Hearty Irish brown soda bread made with whole wheat flour and wheat bran, lightly sweet, tender inside, and perfect with butter.
Jalapeno Popper Corn Chowder
Jalapeno Popper Corn Chowder is rich, creamy, and loaded with bacon, sweet corn, cheddar, and just the right kick of heat!