Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe

Irresistible Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe for Dinner

Salmon takes center stage in this mouthwatering crispy honey garlic adventure that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine.

Delicate fish meets a golden, crackling exterior with an irresistible sweet-savory glaze.

Every bite delivers an unexpected burst of flavor that dances across your palate.

The combination of honey and garlic creates a magical coating that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these salmon bites will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness, making this recipe a true weeknight champion.

Let’s dive into a culinary experience that transforms an ordinary meal into an unforgettable feast.

Why Everyone’s Talking About Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

  • These salmon bites revolutionize boring meal routines with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
  • Beginner-friendly recipe requiring just 15 minutes, perfect for home cooks wanting to impress without complex techniques.
  • Crispy exterior meets sweet-savory sauce, creating a restaurant-quality dish that delivers gourmet taste in a simple home-cooked meal.
  • Adaptable recipe allows swapping ingredients or adjusting spice levels, making it versatile for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

All You Need for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Protein:
  • Salmon: Tender, flaky fish rich in omega-3, best when fresh and wild-caught if possible.

Green Onions: Fresh herb for bright garnish and mild onion flavor.

Dry Ingredients:
  • Cornstarch: Helps create crispy exterior and golden brown coating for salmon.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning for enhancing salmon's natural flavor.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
  • Honey: Sweet component providing glaze and caramelization.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and salty complexity.
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking salmon with even heat distribution.
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create smooth sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic base that adds robust, pungent flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element to balance sweetness.
  • Sesame Seeds: Nutty garnish with subtle crunch.

Cooking Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Salmon Cubes

Grab fresh salmon and slice into bite-sized pieces. Use paper towels to completely dry each salmon cube. Sprinkle salt and black pepper across the cubes. Pour cornstarch into a bowl and gently roll each salmon piece until fully covered with a light, even coating.

Step 2: Sizzle Salmon Pieces

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place salmon cubes in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until edges turn golden and crispy. Transfer cooked salmon to a clean plate.

Step 3: Create Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and add:
  • Minced garlic
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Red pepper flakes

Stir ingredients continuously and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Glaze Salmon

Return salmon cubes to skillet. Gently toss to ensure each piece gets fully coated with sauce. Cook for additional 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle final touches of:
  • Chopped green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Handy Tips for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

  • Master Drying Technique: Pat salmon cubes completely dry to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Coat Carefully: Use cornstarch sparingly and evenly to create a light, golden-brown crust that locks in salmon's moisture and adds delightful crunch.
  • Control Heat Precisely: Maintain medium-high temperature to achieve crispy exterior without overcooking delicate salmon, watching for golden-brown edges.
  • Balance Sauce Flavors: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to create perfect sweet-savory glaze that complements salmon's rich texture without overpowering.
  • Garnish Strategically: Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds just before serving to add fresh color, texture, and subtle nutty undertones to the dish.

Store Honey Garlic Salmon Bites the Smart Way

  • Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Warm salmon bites in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve crispiness.
  • Heat in short 30-second intervals, checking between each burst to prevent overcooking. Drizzle a little extra honey sauce to keep the salmon moist and flavorful.
  • Consume reheated salmon within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture. Avoid repeated reheating to prevent drying out the delicate fish.

Perfect Pairings for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

  • Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to cut through the salmon's richness, complementing the honey garlic sauce's sweet and tangy profile.
  • Prepare a light cucumber salad with dill and rice vinegar to provide a cool, refreshing contrast against the warm, crispy salmon bites.
  • Serve the salmon bites over fragrant coconut rice, which absorbs the honey garlic sauce while adding a subtle tropical sweetness that elevates the entire dish.
  • Grill thin asparagus spears with olive oil and sea salt, creating a simple green vegetable side that balances the salmon's intense flavors and adds nutritional variety.

Remix Ideas for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch for coating the salmon.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the cornstarch coating and use almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a crispy exterior. Swap honey with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit syrup.
  • Spicy Seafood Swap: Substitute salmon with shrimp or cod for a different protein option. Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for extra heat and flavor complexity.
  • Air Fryer Method: Transfer seasoned salmon cubes to an air fryer basket, cook at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway through. Prepare sauce separately in a skillet and toss crispy salmon pieces in the finished sauce.
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Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe

Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy honey garlic salmon bites deliver a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Perfectly seared salmon pieces glazed with golden honey and aromatic garlic promise a quick, elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

Seasoning and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (85 grams) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Transform salmon cubes into a pristine canvas by meticulously blotting them with paper towels, then lavish with salt and pepper. Enrobe each morsel in a delicate cornstarch layer, ensuring uniform coverage.
  2. Ignite a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling stage for the salmon. Arrange cubes in a single strategic layer, allowing each side to metamorphose into a golden, crisp landscape for 2-3 minutes per surface. Extract the salmon and temporarily reserve.
  3. Reuse the same skillet as a flavor foundation, introducing butter and minced garlic. Allow aromatics to dance and release their essence for 1-2 minutes. Cascade honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes into the pan, orchestrating a symphonic sauce. Let the mixture simmer and evolve, thickening into a glossy reduction.
  4. Reunite the salmon with the bubbling sauce, gently tumbling each piece to achieve a luxurious, glistening coating. Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring complete flavor absorption.
  5. Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile by scattering chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds across the surface, transforming the salmon bites into a culinary masterpiece ready for immediate enjoyment.

Notes

  • Ensure salmon is completely dry before coating to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
  • Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast iron pan to prevent salmon from sticking and breaking apart during cooking.
  • Adjust honey garlic sauce’s sweetness by reducing honey for a more savory profile or adding more for intense sweetness.
  • Swap cornstarch with almond flour or gluten-free flour alternative for celiac or low-carb diet compatibility.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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