Salmon is a nutritious and versatile fish, packed with protein and healthy fats, making it a perfect choice for a healthy dinner. While pan-frying is a common cooking method, it can be tricky to achieve crispy skin and prevent the salmon from flaking apart. This is where the air fryer comes in, providing a foolproof way to achieve the perfect crispy skin and succulent, flaky meat.
I recently discovered a recipe for paprika and garlic salmon bites cooked in an air fryer and was immediately drawn to its simplicity and potential for deliciousness. The recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing you to adjust the spices to your personal preference. For a spicier kick, simply add more cayenne pepper and reduce the sweet paprika.
I served my salmon bites with Spanish grains from Aldi, the sweet paprika and garlic flavors of the salmon perfectly complementing the grains. Although the recipe calls for skinless salmon fillets, I prefer the added crunch of crispy skin, so I decided to leave the skin on my salmon.
Ingredients:
* Four skinless salmon fillets, diced into chunks
* Olive oil spray (or any oil)
* One tablespoon sweet paprika
* Half teaspoon dried cayenne pepper
* One teaspoon garlic powder
* One teaspoon dried thyme
* Black pepper and salt to season
To serve:
* Your choice of brown rice, grains, potatoes, or salad – whatever you fancy.
Method:
1. Place your salmon chunks in a large bowl and spray with olive oil. If you don’t have olive oil spray, simply drizzle the salmon with your preferred oil.
2. Add all the spices to the bowl and rub them into the salmon, ensuring each chunk is completely coated.
3. Transfer the salmon to your air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes at 200°C. Remember to shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
4. Once cooked, serve alongside your chosen side dish. A squeeze of lemon can add a refreshing touch if you desire.
If you aren’t a fan of paprika and garlic, you can explore other delicious glazed salmon bite recipes. This air fryer method is sure to elevate your salmon experience, providing a flavorful and effortless dinner solution. Enjoy!
