Easy Air-Fried Maple Salmon Bites
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, this Air-Fried Maple Salmon is a sweet and savory delight! With a rich maple glaze and perfectly cooked salmon, it’s a quick, healthy, and flavor-packed meal ready in minutes.
Kids love a mix of textures—tender, a little crunchy, and just the right touch of sweetness! This Air-Fried Maple Salmon is a great way to excite them about fish. If they already love seafood, this bite-sized, caramelized goodness will become a new favourite! Cutting the salmon into small cubes makes it easier to spot any tiny bones and crisps up more edges for extra deliciousness.
Maple Syrup or Honey?
As a Canadian, please don’t ask me to choose; I will always opt for maple syrup. Although both are great for this recipe in a neutral world, maple syrup caramelizes better than honey because it has a higher sugar content and lower moisture. Honey contains more water, slows caramelization, and can sometimes cause burning due to its acidity and enzyme content.
Toddler Friendly
Air-fryer Maple Salmon is an excellent recipe for toddlers because it’s soft, easy to chew, and naturally sweet, perfect for tiny taste buds! Cutting the salmon into small cubes makes it safer, reducing the risk of hidden bones. The caramelized maple glaze adds a natural sweetness without refined sugar or honey, which isn’t recommended for toddlers. Plus, salmon is packed with omega-3s, which support brain development and overall health.
The Oh Mighty Air Fryer!
Don’t we love our air fryers? Since I’m a mother, it’s the machine I use the most! For this recipe, you’ll see it’s a portion for two persons, but it’s three because the kiddos don’t eat entire portions. Also, always preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before using it! It makes a difference! On another note, try to ensure the salmon doesn’t touch the basket in this recipe so it can crisp up evenly on all sides. We don’t want a floppy salmon; we want it crispy on the outside and right on the inside!
Can I Use The Oven?
Yes, of course, but it won’t give as much crunch as the air fryer. The oven should be at full strength! And again, make sure the bits of salmon don’t touch to create this lovely crunchy layer on every side!
Serve with
I love to serve fish on coconut rice; the kids love it, too! It’s cooked rice with half water and half coconut milk, check it here: Easy Coconut Rice (no added sugar). Add a little veggie on the side, and the kids will have no problem attacking this plate!
The Adult Version
This is where the fun began: grown-ups can easily tune up this dish! Start by adding a touch of extra glaze and salt to the salmon, then add a few black sesame seeds and scallions on top to make it adult-friendly! I mean, usually, kids like simple. I know at least my boy would be turned off immediately by black sesame seeds! But if your kid is adventurous, go for it!
Other Fun Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Maple Salmon
Ingredients
- 400 g salmon fillet thick part
- 30 ml maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt
Toppings
- scallions
- black sesame seeds
Instructions
- If the salmon has not already been deboned, cut the skin off and debone it. Then cut the salmon into 2-3 cm cubes.
- Mix the maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and salmon pieces in a small bowl.
- Cook in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.
- Add the toppings and extra salt for the grown-ups.
Notes
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
these bite sized maple salmon is really tasty. I makes for a quick meal! i can’t believe the air fryer keeps it so juicy!
It does,Salmon is a fatty fish, it holds perfectly in the Air fryer!
The maple syrup on the salmon gives it such an indulgent, sticky flavor! Delicious on top of any bowl!
It does! Love the word indulgent here! Spot on!
Okay. Salmon is one thing I have not tried cooking in my AF but wow, your salmon bites look perfect! I bet they are a huge hit with the kids too. I wonder if my niece will try them…
They are a huge hit with kids and grown ups too! Salmon in the Air fryer works wonders because it’s a fatty fish, not gonna dry out.
Even my son who is not a huge salmon fan loved these! A family dinner win!
Salmon will soon be his number one choice with this recipe.
Maybe this is the way we can convince our grandkids to eat fish. I love that the salmon is bite sized for kids and of course, the air fryer is awesome for quick meals. Thank you!
It’s a quick and simple recipe, perfect for busy moms out there!
This salmon is so delicious and the recipe is so simple, thank you so much. Luckily our kids love salmon, so we will be adding this to our regular rotation. Everyone in our house enjoyed it so much!
Glad to hear it was a hit!
I’ve been using my air fryer a LOT lately, but I need more meals like this to diversify my options! Plus you’ve made me realize how long it’s been since I had coconut rice. Hah. Fantastic combination, thanks for sharing it!
I’m with you on the maple syrup thing, and I’ve always loved maple syrup glazed salmon.
I hadn’t considered air frying it before your recipe, and now it’s definitely going into regular rotation. Thanks!
So easy breezy in the Air fryer! You’ll see!