Irresistible Teriyaki Salmon Bites

These Teriyaki Salmon Bites are coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze and fried to perfection, then topped with sesame seeds and green onions, to make an irresistible appetizer.

» You might also like this Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Appetizer.

Seriously, these salmon bites are delicious. The teriyaki sauce adds a special sweetness to the salmon and once they’re fried to get a little bit of caramelization on the salmon, they are incredible. Guaranteed they’ll be the first thing to be eaten at the party.

Salmon is a great appetizer to serve at a gathering because it fits within a lot of people’s dietary restrictions. It’s gluten free, dairy free, and low carb. It’s also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. How can you go wrong?

If you are looking for more of a meal then an appetizer you might want to try this easy air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe.

Ingredients You Need

• Teriyaki sauce – This is the sauce in which the salmon is marinated. There are many brands of teriyaki sauce you can buy, but I recommend either Sweet Baby Rays or Soy Vay Teriyaki Marinade.
• Ginger – Fresh ginger adds a bright aroma and a bit of spiciness.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic also adds great aroma and spiciness.
• Salmon – One pound of salmon will serve about 6 people if you’re serving them alongside just 1 or 2 other appetizers. The salmon should be skinned and cut into square 1-inch cubes.
• Cooking oil – This is used for frying the salmon. I use a high-quality olive oil because it adds a bit more flavor to the salmon.
• Garnishes – To garnish the salmon, sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

How to Make Teriyaki Salmon Bites

In a medium bowl, whisk together the ginger, garlic and teriyaki marinade.

Add the salmon to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. This will give the salmon time to soak up some of the flavors and aromas from the marinade. If you don’t have time to marinate it, you can cook it right away.

Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. When hot, place each piece of salmon into the pan, spaced so they aren’t touching. Cook for about 2 minute per side, flipping once some caramelization has formed. If it’s not forming within the 2 minutes, you may need to turn the heat up.

Carefully remove the salmon from the pan with tongs and place them on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. If serving as finger food, place toothpicks near the salmon or serve it with tongs.

Possible Substitutes

• If you have vegetarians, you might cook some tofu in the same marinade. It’s also delicious.
• There are many brands of teriyaki sauce, just find one you like that is thick like a marinade. I suggest Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet Teriyaki. You can also make your own teriyaki with soy sauce, honey, and lemon juice.
• Serve with red pepper flakes as a garnish to add additional heat to the dish.

Tips and Notes

• If you are using frozen salmon, you don’t need to thaw it fully before putting it in the marinade, but it should be thawed before you cook it.
• While frying your salmon, space them out as much as possible to avoid overcrowding in the pan. This will ensure that each piece gets a little bit of caramelization on all sides.
• If you add too much of the marinade into the pan, it will have a harder time caramelizing. Likewise if you don’t add enough, it might not caramelize at all. You’re looking for the perfect balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salmon recipe ahead of time? 

You can marinate the fish up to a day ahead of time, but I suggest frying the salmon right before serving it for the best outcome. You can reheat the salmon by frying it again with a little bit of teriyaki sauce added to the pan, if necessary. You don’t want to overcook the salmon or it will be dry.

What goes well with teriyaki salmon bites? 

We serve these teriyaki salmon bites with lots of different appetizers. They go well with baked dips, like this Baked Fontina Dip and Baked Green Chili Dip. Serve them with Spicy Bloody Marys for a brunch party. Need other ideas? See our Cocktail Party Appetizer suggestions.

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