Easy Air Fryer Maple Salmon
November 15, 2022
20 min
super easy
2-3 portions
What about Salmon candy bites to help the kids discover this great fish? Air Fryer Maple Salmon is a kind of candy! So simple! Plus, grownups will enjoy it with extra black sesame and scallions.
This is what I had in mind doing this new food blog of mine! Recipes that are winning the little ones’ hearts and papa and mama! Kids are all about texture! They love the tenderness and a bit of crunch and sweetness; this salmon is a great way to make your kids fall in love with fish. If fish is not a problem? Well, it will be a new favourite at the table with this Air Fryer Maple Salmon bite! Cutting the salmon into such small cubes makes it safer not to forget one of those delicate bones and caramelize more sides, making it yummier!
Maple Syrup or Honey?
As a Canadian, don’t ask me to choose; I will always go first with maple syrup. Although in a neutral world, both are great for this recipe. Health-wise, the honey is a bit less complex mineral-wise but has some extra vitamins Maple syrup doesn’t contain. The glycemic index for Maple syrup is lower, so it won’t kick your kid’s blood sugar to heights. Also, being a recipe suitable for babies, honey is not recommended for little ones under one year old, which could cause infant botulism. So the clear winner here: you choose! (Here is an excellent breakdown of both)
Air Fryer Rules!
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 that the salmon doesn’t touch the basket for this recipe, so it can correctly crisp up on all sides. We don’t want a floppy salmon; we want it crispy on the outside and right on the inside!
Possible to Do in the Oven?
Yes, of course, but it won’t give as much crunch as with the Air fryer. The oven should be at full strength! And again, make sure the bits of Salmon don’t touch to make them this lovely crunchy layer on each side!
Serve with
I love to serve fish on coconut rice; the kids love it too! It’s cooking rice with half water and half coconut milk. 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: the grown-ups can tune up this dish so easily! Start by adding a tad of extra glaze and salt to the salmon, 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
Ingredients
- 400 g salmon fillet thick part
- 30 ml maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt
Toppings
- scallions
- black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut the skin off and debone the salmon, cut into 2-3 cm cubes.
- In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, olive oil, salt and salmon pieces.
- Cook in the Air fryer at 200°C (400F°) for 10 minutes.
- Add the toppings and extra salt for the grown ups.
Notes
Nutrition
15 Comments
Shelby
The maple syrup on the salmon gives it such an indulgent, sticky flavor! Delicious on top of any bowl!- Bernice
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…- Marie Breton
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.
- Vanessa
Even my son who is not a huge salmon fan loved these! A family dinner win! - Colleen
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! - kristen
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! - Sean
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! - Marie
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!
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!