
Turn regular salmon into tasty little teriyaki pieces packed with sticky flavor using your air fryer. It’s paired up with garlicky green beans and fluffy rice—perfect when you want an easy dinner or simple meal prep you’ll look forward to again and again.
I first whipped these up as a fast bite before my kids went swimming on busy evenings. Even my picky eater asks for them now. Everybody’s hooked on that slightly sweet crust—it’s crazy good.
Tasty Ingredients
- Salmon fillets: Go for vibrant color and firm flesh; wild is best if you can find it, makes a real flavor difference
- Teriyaki sauce: Sticky and a little sweet, brings the classic taste
- Mayonnaise: Makes everything creamy and helps the sauces cover the salmon, use Japanese or whole egg if you want extra richness
- Oyster sauce: Deepens the savory taste with a little extra kick
- Soy sauce: Adds salt and that classic umami feel, low-salt options work fine
- Salt and pepper: Perks up all the seasonings, give your marinade a taste to tweak it
- Green beans: Fresh and crisp beans are best, pick ones with no marks for stir frying
- Fresh garlic: Gives the beans a richer, sweeter smell and taste than jarred stuff
- White rice: For your base, medium or short grains come out the fluffiest
- Extra teriyaki sauce: Use to brush on a glossy glaze and extra goodness
Easy Step-by-Step Directions
- Get Set to Serve:
- Ladle your cooked rice into bowls, top off with those shiny glazed salmon bites, and tuck in some garlic green beans right alongside. Grab a fork—super warm is best for taste and texture.
- Stir Fry the Beans:
- Heat up a pan over medium-high, toss in that chopped garlic and sizzle for a couple minutes. Chuck in your chilled green beans and sprinkle on coarse salt. Cook just until they’re bright green and snapped-up crisp—four to five minutes is good.
- Prep the Green Beans:
- While the salmon air fries, bring hot water to a boil, toss in beans, cook for five minutes, then quickly plunge them into icy or cold water to stop the cooking right away.
- Brush on Extra Sauce:
- Open your air fryer and use a brush to add another coat of teriyaki. Let them go back in for two extra minutes just to lock in the gloss and stickiness. Don’t let ‘em burn while you wait.
- Pop in the Air Fryer:
- Place your salmon cubes in a single layer in the fryer basket. Set it to 375°F and cook about 12 minutes. Flip halfway through so every side gets color.
- Mix Up the Marinade:
- Whisk teriyaki, mayo, soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and pepper until you’ve got a creamy mix. Toss the salmon cubes so they’re well coated. Pop in the fridge for ten or fifteen minutes if you can spare it.
- Cut Up the Salmon:
- Slice your salmon fillets into bite-sized cubes. This way, everything cooks fast and soaks up that tasty marinade evenly.

What I love most is that glossy teriyaki shell—it keeps the fish juicy and adds awesome sweet flavor. When I first served this, my family didn’t leave a crumb. It’s our most-loved Sunday meal now.
Keeping Salmon Bites Fresh
Put any leftovers in containers with tight lids—either mixed or separate—then store up to three days in the fridge. Warm them up in a skillet or the air fryer to get back that good texture. For grab-and-go lunch, pack them with rice and you’ll have something you actually want to eat the next day.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
No oyster sauce left? Grab hoisin, or use a bit more teriyaki plus a splash of Worcestershire. Crave a little spice? Mix in some red pepper flakes. For gluten free, use tamari instead of soy sauce—still tastes awesome.
Serving Ideas
Scoop salmon bites over a soft pile of rice, lay green beans on the side. Want a crunchy finish? Sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped scallions right on top. Or set out toothpicks and a bowl of extra sauce—these work great for party snacks. Make a rice bowl with some fresh tangy slaw to mix it up.

How This Dish Started
This cooking style comes straight from Japanese roots, but blending in the air fryer is a real game changer for home kitchens. Classic flavors—modern twist. You get those tender, caramelized pieces without messing with a grill or fancy tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes
- → Which salmon should I pick for this?
Grab skinless, fresh salmon fillets if you can. Slice them up into bite-size chunks to cook evenly every time.
- → Is bottled teriyaki okay to use?
Yep! Both bottled and homemade teriyaki sauces will get the job done for marinating and brushing on your salmon.
- → How do I keep salmon from turning dry?
Don’t overdo the cook time—keep an eye on it, and try a piece after 12 minutes to avoid drying it out.
- → What goes well on the side?
Serve these tasty bites next to garlicky green beans and fresh rice. It's a well-rounded plate.
- → Can I store leftovers for later?
Definitely. Toss leftovers in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to two days so you can grab them later.