These Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and crispy. Bite-sized salmon pieces are pan-seared until golden, then coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze that’s absolutely irresistible. Whether I’m serving them as an appetizer, over rice, or in a bowl with veggies, these salmon bites always deliver big flavor in every bite.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s fast, easy, and so flavorful. The salmon turns out crispy on the outside while staying tender and flaky inside, and the honey garlic sauce is one of those things I can never get enough of. It’s perfect for when I want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 1 pound skinless salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons oil (for pan-frying)
For the honey garlic sauce:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha for heat
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (slurry, to thicken)
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- I season the salmon cubes with salt, pepper, soy sauce, and garlic powder, then let them sit for 10–15 minutes to marinate.
- Just before cooking, I toss the salmon in cornstarch to coat each piece evenly—this gives it that crispy crust.
- I heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the salmon in a single layer, turning to brown all sides. It usually takes about 6–8 minutes total.
- While the salmon cooks, I whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes (if using) in a small bowl.
- I pour the sauce into the pan once the salmon is cooked and bubbling, then add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the glaze.
- I toss the salmon gently to coat each bite with the sticky sauce.
- I remove it from heat once the sauce has thickened and serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions if I want.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 2–3
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Air fry the salmon: I air fry the salmon at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, then toss it in the sauce on the stovetop.
- Add veggies: I stir-fry some broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to serve alongside the salmon for a full meal.
- Make it spicy: I double the chili flakes or add a spoonful of chili garlic sauce for more heat.
- Serve it different ways: I love it over rice, in lettuce wraps, or in a rice bowl with cucumber, avocado, and pickled onions.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, I warm them gently in a pan over medium heat to keep the glaze sticky and the salmon tender. The bites are also great cold on a salad or in a wrap.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, I thaw it completely and pat it dry before marinating and cooking. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so I make sure it’s dry.
Can I make this ahead of time?
I prep the salmon and sauce in advance, then cook everything just before serving. It’s best fresh and hot.
What’s the best oil for pan-frying?
I use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil for the best crisp without burning.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, maple syrup works well and gives a slightly different flavor that’s just as delicious.
Do I need to remove the salmon skin?
For this recipe, I prefer using skinless salmon so the pieces cook evenly and crisp up on all sides. If I have skin-on salmon, I just trim it off before cutting.
Conclusion
Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are everything I love in a quick, flavorful recipe. They’re sticky, crispy, and totally satisfying—perfect for a weeknight meal or when I want to impress without the stress. Once I tried them, they became a regular favorite in my kitchen.
Print
Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are sweet, savory, and loaded with flavor. Bite-sized salmon pieces are pan-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a sticky honey garlic glaze for a quick and irresistible meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re perfect served over rice, in bowls, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 1 pound skinless salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons oil (for pan-frying)
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Instructions
- Marinate: Season salmon cubes with salt, pepper, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Coat: Toss salmon in cornstarch until well coated.
- Cook Salmon: Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon in a single layer, turning to brown all sides (about 6–8 minutes).
- Make Sauce: While salmon cooks, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
- Glaze: Once salmon is crispy and cooked, pour sauce into the pan. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens.
- Finish: Toss salmon in the sticky glaze. Remove from heat and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Air fryer option: Air fry salmon at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, then toss with sauce.
- Add veggies: Stir-fry bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for a full meal.
- Spice it up: Add extra chili flakes or chili garlic sauce.
- Serve with: Rice, lettuce wraps, grain bowls, or cucumber-avocado slaw.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet to maintain crispiness and glaze texture.
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