In the quest for the perfect weeknight dinner, we often juggle between speed, flavor, and health. These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are the delicious answer to that challenge. In just 20 minutes, you can create a meal that’s bursting with a sweet and savory glaze, perfectly tender on the inside, and irresistibly crispy on the outside. This recipe is a game-changer for busy evenings, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to produce something truly spectacular. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this dish is designed to be foolproof. The simple ingredients and straightforward instructions ensure success every time. It’s a healthy, satisfying meal the whole family will love.
The final toss to coat every piece in that incredible honey garlic glaze.
Why This Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another salmon recipe; it’s a versatile powerhouse of flavor and convenience that will quickly become a staple in your home.
Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate in under 20 minutes, it’s the ideal solution for hectic weeknights.
Packed with Flavor: The simple honey garlic sauce is a magical combination of sweet and savory that caramelizes into a perfect glaze.
Healthy & Nutritious: Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and this recipe uses clean, simple ingredients for a guilt-free indulgence. For another healthy fish dish, check out this Ginger Soy Fish recipe.
Super Versatile: You can cook these salmon bites on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the air fryer. Plus, they pair well with almost any side dish!
The Perfect Blend of Ingredients
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create the incredibly flavorful sauce that coats every single bite of salmon.
For the Salmon Bites
Salmon: Look for a fresh, high-quality fillet. You can use skin-on or skinless, as we’ll be cubing it.
Olive Oil: Just a little to help the salmon cook without sticking.
Salt & Pepper: To season the fish and enhance all the other flavors.
For the Honey Garlic Glaze
Honey: The star of the show, providing a natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully.
Soy Sauce: Use a low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness while adding a deep umami flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is always best for the most potent, aromatic flavor.
Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness and brightens up the sauce.
Cornstarch: A cornstarch slurry is the secret to a thick, glossy glaze that clings perfectly to the salmon.
Look at that perfect caramelization! So much flavor in every bite.
How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon Bites (Your Step-by-Step Guide)
Making these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites is a simple three-step process: prepare the salmon, whisk the sauce, and cook! We’ve covered the three most popular cooking methods so you can choose what works best for you.
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
First, pat your salmon fillet completely dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step for getting a good sear and crispy edges. Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes and season them generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Whisk the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice. In a separate, tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
Step 3: Cook the Salmon Bites
You have options! Whether you prefer the stovetop, oven, or air fryer, you’ll get delicious results.
Pan-Seared (Stovetop) Method
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon bites in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Turn the heat to low, pour in the honey garlic sauce, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently until the sauce thickens and coats the salmon. If you love skillet recipes, try these Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders for your next meal.
Baked (Oven) Method
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes. While the salmon bakes, pour the sauce into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Drizzle the thickened sauce over the baked salmon bites and toss to coat.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until cooked through and slightly crispy. While they cook, prepare the sauce in a saucepan as described in the oven method. Transfer the cooked salmon to a bowl and toss with the thickened glaze.
Pro Tips for Irresistible Salmon Bites
Don’t Overcook: Salmon cooks quickly! Keep a close eye on it to ensure it stays tender and flaky. The bites are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Use Fresh Garlic: While garlic powder works in a pinch, fresh minced garlic provides a much more robust and aromatic flavor that truly elevates the sauce.
Pat the Salmon Dry: I can’t stress this enough! Removing excess moisture is key to getting a beautiful golden-brown sear instead of just steaming the fish.
Don’t Skip the Slurry: The cornstarch slurry is essential for transforming the sauce into a thick, luscious glaze. Without it, the sauce will be too thin to coat the salmon properly.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
These honey garlic salmon bites are incredibly versatile. Serve them over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice with a side of steamed broccoli or Crispy Roasted Cauliflower. They are also fantastic in a grain bowl with quinoa, avocado, and edamame, or served alongside some creamy garlic pasta for a more indulgent meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, I recommend gently warming them in a skillet over low heat or for 30-60 seconds in the microwave. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the salmon.
You can use any type of salmon fillet for this recipe, such as Atlantic, Sockeye, or Coho. The most important thing is that it’s fresh. We recommend using a skinless fillet to make cubing the fish easier.
Salmon cooks very quickly. The bites are done when they are opaque and flake easily with a fork. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part.
Yes, absolutely! To make them in the air fryer, cook the seasoned salmon cubes at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes. While they cook, prepare the sauce on the stovetop and thicken it with the cornstarch slurry. Then, simply toss the cooked salmon in the glaze.
These salmon bites are very versatile. They pair wonderfully with rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve them over noodles or in a lettuce wrap.
While this dish is best served fresh, you can do some prep ahead of time. You can cube the salmon and whisk the sauce ingredients (except the cornstarch slurry) together and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, it will only take about 10 minutes to cook.
Your New Go-To Weeknight Dinner
This Honey Garlic Salmon Bites recipe is the trifecta of a perfect meal: delicious, fast, and healthy. It’s a dish that will impress your family and save you on busy weeknights. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more amazing dinner ideas, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
These honey garlic salmon bites are a guaranteed weeknight winner!
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe
FL Recipes
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites: A Perfect 20-Minute Recipe
These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are the ultimate 20-minute meal! Tender salmon cubes are pan-seared until crispy and coated in a sticky, sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
1.5lbsSalmon Filletskinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
1tbspOlive Oil
1/2tspSaltor to taste
1/4tspBlack Pepperor to taste
For the Honey Garlic Glaze
1/3cupHoney
1/4cupLow-Sodium Soy Sauce
4clovesGarlicminced
1tbspLemon Juicefreshly squeezed
1tspCornstarch
1tbspWater
Equipment
1 Large Skillet
2 Mixing Bowls
Method
Pat the salmon fillet completely dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes and season generously with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon cubes in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
Turn the heat to low. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the salmon. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats every piece. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 32gFat: 18gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
Air Fryer Method: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes. Prepare the sauce in a saucepan, add the slurry to thicken, then toss with the cooked salmon. Oven Method: Bake salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes. Thicken the sauce in a saucepan with the slurry, then drizzle over the baked salmon.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
