If you love the perfect balance of spicy heat and sweet glaze on tender seafood, you’re going to adore this Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe. These little bites pack so much flavor in every juicy piece — they’re seriously addictive!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited every time I make these Hot Honey Salmon Bites because they come out so tender and flavorful, with just the right kick to keep you coming back for more. They’re super easy, too, which is always a win in my book!
- Quick and Simple: Ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Flavor Explosion: The spicy-sweet hot honey glaze perfectly complements the savory, seasoned salmon bites.
- Versatile Serving: Serve as a finger-licking appetizer or a main course alongside your favorite sides.
- Air Fryer Magic: Uses the air fryer for quicker, healthier cooking with a nice crispy exterior.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Gathering fresh, quality ingredients really makes a difference here. When shopping, look for salmon filets that are firm and bright in color. For the hot honey, you can buy a good quality one or easily make your own by gently infusing honey with chili flakes — it’s a game changer!

- Salmon: Fresh, skinless filets cut into bite-sized cubes create tender, juicy pieces perfect for quick cooking.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the salmon and adds a subtle richness.
- Paprika: Adds a smoky depth and beautiful color to the salmon bites.
- Garlic Powder: Offers savory warmth without overpowering the fish.
- Onion Powder: Adds a mild sweetness and complexity to the seasoning blend.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps keep the salmon moist.
- Black Pepper: Provides a gentle heat to balance the sweet glaze.
- Unsalted Butter: Melts into the hot honey for a luscious, rich glaze.
- Hot Honey: The star of the show — sweet with a spicy kick to glaze the salmon bites.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh pop of color and brightness as a garnish.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts of the Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe is how adaptable it is to your personal taste and pantry staples. Feel free to tweak the spice level or try different garnishes to make it truly your own!
- Milder Spice: If you prefer a gentler kick, try mixing regular honey with a pinch of chili flakes instead of using straight hot honey. This still delivers warmth without overpowering the delicate salmon flavor.
- Herbal Twist: Swap parsley for fresh cilantro or chives for a nuanced herbal note — I find cilantro adds a wonderful brightness that pairs beautifully with the sweet heat.
- Crunch Factor: For a little textural contrast, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or crushed almonds over the glazed bites just before serving. It’s a delightful surprise with every bite.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: This recipe is naturally gluten free, but double-check your hot honey brand if you buy it pre-made to ensure no hidden additives.
- Oven Option: Don’t have an air fryer? No worries! Baking the bites at 400°F for 16 minutes (flipping halfway) yields equally delicious results — just be sure not to overcrowd the tray for crisp edges.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer to 390°F
Getting your air fryer preheated is key to getting that perfect sear on the salmon cubes. Set it to 390°F and give it a few minutes to reach that temperature—this ensures the salmon cooks evenly and develops a lovely, lightly crispy exterior without drying out.
Step 2: Season the Salmon Cubes
In a spacious bowl, drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the bite-sized salmon cubes. Sprinkle in paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Gently toss everything together—make sure each piece is coated evenly so every bite bursts with flavor. I like to use my hands here; it gives me a better feel for even seasoning without breaking the delicate salmon apart.
Step 3: Air Fry the Salmon Bites
Place the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer inside your air fryer basket. Remember not to crowd them — if your basket is small, cook in batches. Air fry for a full 10 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through to promote even cooking. The salmon is perfectly done when it reaches an internal temperature between 140 and 145°F, tender yet juicy on the inside with a subtle crisp outside.
Step 4: Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze
While the salmon cooks, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup (85g) of hot honey, stirring gently until the mixture is melted and warmed through. As soon as it’s combined, turn off the heat so you don’t overcook the butter. This luscious hot honey butter sauce will give the salmon bites that irresistible glaze.
Step 5: Coat Salmon Bites in the Glaze
Transfer the cooked salmon bites straight into the saucepan with the hot honey butter. Gently toss to coat every piece in the sticky, spicy glaze. This step is where all those flavors marry beautifully — the savory seasonings meet the sweet heat for a perfect bite every time.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finally, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the glazed salmon bites for a touch of color and fresh herbal brightness. Serve immediately as an appetizer to impress your guests or plate alongside your favorite sides for a quick and flavorful main course. Trust me, these Hot Honey Salmon Bites disappear fast!
Top Tip
These tips will help you get the most out of your Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned, cooked just right, and bursting with flavor.
- Even Cooking: Make sure to preheat your air fryer to 390°F so the salmon cooks evenly and gets that perfect tender texture without drying out.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid piling the salmon cubes in the basket; cooking in a single layer helps achieve those slightly crispy edges we all love.
- Glaze Gently: After cooking, toss the salmon bites gently in the hot honey butter glaze to coat each piece without breaking them apart.
- Use Fresh Parsley: A fresh sprinkle of parsley not only adds a pop of color but also a subtle freshness that balances the heat and sweetness beautifully.
How to Serve Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe

Garnishes
Parsley is a classic garnish here, adding a fresh herbal note and a vibrant green contrast. You can also try a light sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch or thin slices of green onion to enhance that fresh zing. For extra heat, a few chili flakes sprinkled on top work wonders if you love that fiery kick.
Side Dishes
Hot Honey Salmon Bites pair beautifully with a variety of sides! Consider serving them alongside a simple quinoa salad, garlic roasted asparagus, or even a creamy avocado and cucumber salad to balance the spicy sweetness. For a heartier meal, steamed jasmine rice or buttery mashed potatoes make perfect companions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover Hot Honey Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 days, making them great for a quick snack or reheated lunch.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these bites, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to warm through without drying out. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving on medium power for 30 seconds works too, but be mindful not to overheat and lose that tender flakiness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Just be sure to fully thaw the salmon before cutting it into cubes and seasoning. Pat it dry to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a nice texture when air frying or baking.
The heat level depends on the hot honey you use. If you prefer mild heat, use less hot honey or mix regular honey with a pinch of chili flakes. The balance of sweetness and spice here is adjustable to your taste!
Absolutely! The recipe includes oven instructions. Bake the seasoned salmon cubes at 400°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, then toss them in the hot honey glaze.
Simply heat honey gently with chili flakes on low heat for about 10 minutes to infuse the spiciness. Strain out the flakes if you prefer a smooth sauce, or leave them in for extra heat and texture.
Final Thoughts
Making Hot Honey Salmon Bites at home is such a joy—you get that perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tender fish in every bite. Whether you’re serving them up as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a quick main course, they’re sure to impress with minimal fuss. I hope these tips and tricks inspire you to enjoy this flavorful dish as much as I do. Happy cooking, and bon appétit!
Print
Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Hot Honey Salmon Bites are flavorful, bite-sized pieces of salmon seasoned with paprika, garlic, and onion powders, cooked to perfection in an air fryer, then glazed in a luscious sweet and spicy hot honey butter sauce. Ideal as a delicious appetizer or a main course, these salmon bites offer a delightful combination of heat and sweetness with a tender, juicy texture. Oven instructions are also provided for those without an air fryer.
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1 ½ pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skins removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Hot Honey Glaze
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup (85 g) hot honey, homemade or store-bought
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to ensure a hot environment that will cook the salmon evenly.
- Season the Salmon: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon cubes and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon bites in a single, even layer inside the air fryer basket. If needed, cook in batches depending on basket size. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking, until the salmon reaches an internal temperature between 140-145°F.
- Prepare Hot Honey Glaze: While the salmon cooks, heat the unsalted butter and hot honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted and warmed through. Turn off the heat once combined.
- Coat Salmon with Glaze: Transfer the cooked salmon bites to the saucepan and gently toss them in the warm hot honey butter sauce until well coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the glazed salmon bites and serve immediately as a delicious appetizer or main dish.
Notes
- Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place seasoned salmon cubes evenly spaced on the sheet. Bake for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Toss baked salmon in hot honey glaze and garnish with parsley.
- If you prefer milder spice, use less hot honey or substitute with regular honey mixed with a pinch of chili flakes.
- For crispy edges, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
- Hot honey can be made by gently heating honey with chili flakes and allowing it to infuse for about 10 minutes.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 ounces salmon bites with glaze)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg


Leave a Reply