These Blackened Salmon Bites are perfectly flaky, flavorful, and ready in about 20 minutes. Cutting the salmon into small pieces means it cooks quickly, stays soft, and soaks up every bit of the homemade blackened seasoning: paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, oregano, and a little brown sugar. Serve them over fluffy rice with your favorite veggie for an easy weeknight dinner.
Salmon is delicious, but there’s something about salmon bites that’s even better.
There are so many reasons to love salmon bites.
They cook super quickly because they’re so small.
It’s also easy to keep them soft and flaky without overcooking them.
And, because they’re so small, they each absorb flavor so easily.
“Blackened salmon” refers to a mix of seasoning that gives the salmon its crispy and blackened exterior. While you can buy the seasoning, it’s so easy to blend stuff you likely already have at home and make your own.
This version uses a mix of paprika (lots!), onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Many people add cayenne pepper for a little spice. I didn’t add any here, but it definitely works!
I also added a little brown sugar for a little touch of sweetness. Not only does it make the salmon that much better, but it also signifies so much about a healthy relationship with food to me.
Deep in my disordered eating days, I thought food had to be “perfect.”
I never added salt to my meals or sugar to anything. I so clearly remembering watching a friend add a salt packet to her lunch and being in a total shock. Salt?! How could she!
Of course, I know now that salt brings out flavor and makes food taste better. Sugar adds sweetness and also makes food taste better.
Not only are both delicious but also, adding a little salt or sugar to your meals will not make or break your health.
After all, food is meant to be enjoyed.
So, if you needed to hear it, please know this: it’s perfectly okay to flavor your food with salt. And it’s perfectly okay to add sugar when you cook.
Anyway, now that that’s out of the way… I recommend these Blackened Salmon Bites over fluffy rice and with a vegetable of some sorts.
It would be delicious with a simple roasted broccoli or a chopped cucumber and avocado salad… both with salt added, of course 🙂
Why You’ll Love These Blackened Bites
These blackened salmon bites are a fast, flavorful way to enjoy tender salmon with a smoky, spice-coated crust.
They cook quickly in the air fryer, making them perfect for busy weeknights, easy lunches, or a simple appetizer. They make a great way to add protein and healthy fats to any meal.
Serve them in tacos, bowls, salads, or with your favorite dipping sauce for a versatile meal that feels special without requiring much effort.
How to Make Blackened Salmon Bites
Cut salmon into 1-inch cubes
To make these Blackened Salmon Bites, start by turning the oven on to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Remove skin from the salmon and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Toss salmon with spices
Add salmon to a bowl and toss with olive oil, spices, sugar, salt, and pepper until all pieces are well coated.
Broil for 10 min
Add the salmon bites to the baking sheet, spreading evenly in one layer.
Place in the oven to broil for 10 minutes (make sure the oven is already hot before adding the salmon).
Flip & broil again
Flip the salmon and broil for another 5 minutes (keep an eye that the salmon doesn’t get too blackened all over, as some ovens may broil more quickly or strongly than others).
Garnish & Serve
Garnish Blackened Salmon Bites with fresh parsley and serve.
If You Love These Blackened Salmon Bites, Try These
- Blackened Salmon with Peach Salsa
- Honey Soy Sauce Glazed Salmon Bites
- Honey Walnut Crusted Salmon
- Miso Glazed Salmon
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon (30 Minute Meal!)
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon fillets: You’ll remove the skin and cut salmon into bite-sized pieces.
- Olive oil: Instead of olive oil, you can also use another high heat cooking oil, like avocado oil.
- Spices: You’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Lemon juice, fresh herbs: Optional, but a little lemon juice and fresh herbs on top of the cooked salmon really elevates the flavor.
Blackened Salmon Bites Tips & Variations
- Other cooking methods: You can also make these Blackened Salmon Bites over the stove or in an air fryer. To make in an air fryer, assemble the salmon the same way, and then air fry for about 7 minutes, flip, and then air fry for another 3 minutes. If cooking on the stove, make sure the pan is hot before adding the salmon, and then cook it until blackened on each side.
- Leftovers: To reheat salmon, I recommend putting it under the broiler for a minute or so to warm and crisp it back up again. In a pinch, you can also just microwave it or even eat it cold.
- Storage: Store Blackened Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredients
- 2 6- ounce salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: cayenne pepper parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Turn the oven on to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Remove skin from the salmon and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Add salmon to a bowl and toss with olive oil, spices, sugar, salt, and pepper until all pieces are well coated.
- Add the salmon bites to the baking sheet, spreading evenly in one layer.
- Place in the oven to broil for 10 minutes (make sure the oven is already hot before adding the salmon). Flip the salmon and broil for another 5 minutes (keep an eye that the salmon doesn’t get too blackened all over, as some ovens may broil more quickly or strongly than others).
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
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