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If you love our signature Hot Honey Salmon, welcome to this fun twist on it. Bite-sized, tender, pan-seared salmon tossed in a sweet-savory hot honey sauce – it just doesn’t get better than that! These crispy hot honey salmon bites are a quick and easy dinner that your family will eat willingly and happily!
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- This is seriously a lightning-fast weeknight dinner – in only 15 minutes and one pan, you’ll have something delicious and nutritious for your family! You can also make this in an air fryer and save even more time (instructions are in the recipe card).
- Salmon is packed with heart-healthy omega-3s, high-quality protein, and essential vitamins – perfect for growing kids and health-conscious adults alike. And the taste is amazing, the sweet honey balances any heat, making these bites delectable.
- Eat this on its own, but it’s also versatile with other dishes! Serve over rice for a complete meal (try it with Instant Pot Basmati Rice or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice), toss with noodles for an Asian-inspired dish (replace the protein in my Very Favorite Stir Fry Noodles), eat with a salad (like Seaweed Salad or this yummy Japanese Cucumber Salad, or even make these into tacos!
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- Don’t skip the marinating time – even just 30 minutes makes a huge difference in flavor penetration. If you’re meal prepping, these can marinate up to 6 hours for even deeper flavor (yummm).
- Your salmon should sizzle the moment it hits the pan, so a hot skillet is everything! This creates that gorgeous caramelized crust that locks in moisture and adds incredible taste to the dish.
- Keep your salmon pieces uniform, about 1 inch in size. This ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from overcooking while others stay raw.
- Fresh salmon is best, but frozen works too – If using frozen salmon, thaw completely and pat very dry before marinating. Excess moisture will prevent proper searing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
The salmon is best served immediately, but you can marinate it up to 6 hours ahead. Cooked salmon can be stored for up to 3 days and gently reheated.
What if I don’t have hot honey?
Mix regular honey with a pinch of cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes, or add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes! Just make sure it’s completely thawed and patted very dry before marinating.
Can I make air fryer hot honey salmon bites instead of using a skillet?
Absolutely! After marinating the salmon, place the cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Pour any reserved marinade over the cooked salmon and toss before serving. For complete instructions, review the recipe card.
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
- Marry Me Salmon
- Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (2 Ways)
- Salmon and Veggies Sheet Pan Meal with Hot Honey and Yogurt Sauce
- Salmon Wellington
- Jerk Salmon with Mango Salsa
- Canned Salmon Salad
- Honey Chipotle Salmon BBQ Nachos
- Perfect Poached Salmon
- Teriyaki Sesame Salmon Hibachi with Fried Rice and Vegetables
- Keto Sushi Rolls with Smoked Salmon
- Salmon Salad
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Hot Honey Salmon Bites
Bite-sized, tender, pan-seared salmon tossed in a sweet-savory hot honey sauce – it just doesn’t get better than that! These crispy hot honey salmon bites are easy to pull together!
Equipment
- Large skillet nonstick, stainless steel, or cast iron
- Tongs
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 pounds salmon cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil like avocado, divided
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- green onions and sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Place cubed salmon in shallow bowl. Mix 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons hot honey, and red pepper flakes in small bowl. Pour over salmon and toss to coat. Marinate 30 minutes to 6 hours, or proceed immediately.
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and swirl to coat. Using tongs, remove salmon from marinade and add to skillet, skin-side down if applicable. Sear 2 to 3 minutes until browned.
- Flip salmon and sear 2 to 3 minutes more until browned and fully cooked.
- Pour any remaining marinade into skillet and toss salmon to coat.
- Serve garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Hot Honey
- Follow steps from the main recipe to marinate the salmon.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Using tongs, remove salmon from marinade (reserve any leftover) and place in air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking time.
- Pour any reserved marinade over the cooked salmon and toss to coat.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, then serve immediately.
Make it Gluten-Free: Replace soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce. Check that your hot honey brand is certified gluten-free, or make your own.
Make it Paleo: Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce and use raw honey mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper instead of hot honey (many commercial hot honey brands contain additives).
Make it Whole30: Use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and replace hot honey with compliant hot sauce mixed with a small amount of date paste or omit the sweetener entirely for a savory version.
Using Frozen Salmon: Completely thaw frozen salmon in the refrigerator overnight before using. Pat the thawed salmon very dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which can prevent proper searing and dilute the marinade.
Make-Ahead Tips: Salmon can marinate up to 6 hours ahead of time. For meal prep, cook the salmon and store it separately from any rice or sides, then reheat gently before serving.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftover salmon bites in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes, or microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals to prevent overcooking.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Calories: 196calProtein: 23gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 553mgPotassium: 575mgTotal Carbs: 1gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gNet Carbs: 1gVitamin A: 45IUCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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