Air Fried Teriyaki Salmon Bites Rice Bowl (2024)

Spice up your weeknight dinner with these air fried teriyaki salmon bites! They have a sweet crispy outside with a soft flaky inside and are cooked in no time in the air fryer. Placed on top of a bed of brown rice with edamame and avocado and drizzled in a creamy spicy yogurt sauce, they're sure to be a dish the whole family will love!

If you're a "dinner in a bowl" type of person like me, you're going to love these rice bowls with fried salmon bites. This is a dish that looks complicated but is actually simple and easy to whip up. You get well rounded meal with carbs, protein, and fat, the whole sha-bang! Even kids will love it!

You will also love my crispy gluten free salmon cakes, Whole30 bang bang shrimp, and my cajun shrimp and rice skillet.

What are Teriyaki Salmon Bites?

Salmon bites are like chicken nuggets but in salmon form. Since we are air frying them though, there isn't any breading involved which makes things simpler and a little healthier. The air fryer is great too because you don't have to deal with hot oil in your home.

Salmon is known for its incredible fatty acids and lean protein which makes these bites both fun and nutrient dense. They make a great addition to an easy weeknight meal with fresh veggies or a delicious appetizer paired with a dipping sauce.

Salmon Teriyaki Bowl ingredients & substitutions

• Salmon fillets - You can use fresh fish or frozen. Atlantic salmon is what I used in this recipe but sockeye or king salmon will work as well. Skinless salmon makes things easy but you can easily remove the skin if needed with a sharp knife.
• Coconut aminos - This adds a teriyaki flavor to the salmon without the need for soy sauce. Soy sauce will work too.
• Sesame oil - Used in the teriyaki marinade to provide a subtle nutty taste. A bland olive oil or lightly flavored oil will work as well.
• Garlic powder - This is used in the teriyaki marinade. Fresh chopped garlic can be used too if you have it on hand.
• Honey - Adds sweetness to the sauce and helps to create crispy salmon bites.
• Yogurt - Used for the creamy spicy yogurt sauce. Make sure it's room temperature. I used 0% greek yogurt but any type of plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt will work.
• Hot sauce - Added to the yogurt sauce to give it a kick. Sriracha is a great substitute and won't be as spicy.
• Brown rice - This is the base of the bowls. I used brown rice but white rice or quinoa are great substitutes.

How to make a Teriyaki Salmon Bowl

You will need a small mixing bowl for the marinade and an air fryer to make these crispy salmon nuggets.

Step 1 : Cut the salmon into chunks

First, pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. This will make it easier to handle with your hands.

Use a sharp knife to cut the salmon filets into small 2 inch chunks. If your fillet still has the skin on, remove the skin before you cut the fillet into bite-size cubes.

Step 2 : Make the marinade

In a small bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients and add the salmon pieces. Gently toss the salmon so each piece is covered in the sauce. Let the salmon sit in the marinade for at least 3 minutes. If making this ahead of time, you can leave the salmon in the marinade in a covered container for up to 24 hours in the fridge.

Step 3 : Air Fry

Spray the bottom of an air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the salmon mixture into the basket in a single layer, spacing them apart at least 1 inch. Cook the salmon with medium heat for 7 minutes in the air fryer. The edges of the bites will get crispy and the teriyaki sauce will caramelize while the center of the tender salmon bites will become soft and flaky.

After 7 minutes, the salmon will have an internal temperature of about 140 degrees fahrenheit which is typically a fillet cooked "medium". If you prefer your salmon cooked more "medium-well" adjust the time to 8 - 9 minutes.

Step 4 : Make the cream sauce

While the salmon is cooking, mix the yogurt, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, sesame oil, and sea salt in a separate bowl with a spoon. Mix well until the sauce begins to thin out and the spices are well incorporated.

Step 5 : Assemble

To assemble the bowls, spoon the cooked brown rice into the bottom of a bowl. Place a few cooked air fryer salmon bites on top, sprinkle some edamame into a section of the bowl followed by a few slices of avocado, and top if all off with a drizzle of yogurt sauce. Spoon a bit of the reserved marinade over the salmon and enjoy!

Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer tips

• Save some of the marinade and drizzle it over top of the cooked salmon for some extra teriyaki flavor.
• For easy clean up, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil.
• Make sure to space out the marinated salmon cubes in the basket of your air fryer basket so they aren't touching each other. This will allow the entire salmon bite to get crispy.

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Air Fryer Salmon Teriyaki Bowl FAQs

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