If you're craving a burst of sweet heat and tender seafood, you’ve got to try my Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe. These little gems pack a punch with a perfectly crispy exterior and a luscious spicy honey glaze that’ll have you coming back for more.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I made these salmon bites after a long week, and honestly, they were the perfect way to treat myself without spending hours in the kitchen. They come together so easily, yet taste like you slaved away all day.
- Quick and Easy: Ready to eat in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfectly Portionable: Bite-sized cubes make them ideal for snacking or serving as a fancy appetizer.
- Versatile Cooking: Whether you have an air fryer or just an oven, you’re covered.
- Iridescent Flavor Balance: The smoky, savory seasoning pairs beautifully with that sweet and spicy hot honey glaze.
Ingredients & Why They Work
For this Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites recipe, I like to keep things simple yet flavorful. Fresh, high-quality salmon is key here — it’s the star of the show! And when choosing your hot honey, you can go store-bought or whip up your own for a personalized kick.

- Salmon: I recommend fresh, skinless filets cut into cubes for quick, even cooking and tender texture.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and adds a subtle fruitiness.
- Paprika: Brings smoky warmth and vibrant color to the salmon bites.
- Garlic Powder: Adds depth and a mild pungency enhancing the overall flavor.
- Onion Powder: Balances garlic with a touch of savoriness and sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing out all the natural flavors in the salmon and spices.
- Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and earthiness that complements the sweet glaze.
- Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich base for the hot honey glaze, ensuring it’s velvety and coats the salmon perfectly.
- Hot Honey: The shining ingredient that marries sweetness with a spicy punch—make it homemade or grab a good quality bottle.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a bright herbal note to finish off the dish.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to tweak the heat level or herbs to suit your palate and occasion—there’s so much room to make these bites uniquely yours!
- Add a fiery kick: I love sprinkling a pinch of cayenne pepper into the seasoning mix or drizzling extra hot honey on top just before serving for that unapologetic heat.
- Herb swaps: Parsley is classic, but cilantro or fresh chives bring a different brightness that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the glaze.
- Go homemade: For an extra-special touch, I sometimes make my own hot honey by gently simmering honey with finely chopped hot peppers—fresh, vibrant, and totally customizable.
- Oven-baked option: No air fryer? No worries! The oven method works beautifully, just be sure to flip the salmon bites halfway through for even cooking and a lovely golden crust.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep for Perfection
First up, set your air fryer to 390°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to cook. While it’s heating, you can put together the seasoning for the salmon. Mixing the olive oil with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper ensures every bite will burst with flavor. Gently toss the 1-inch salmon cubes in this mix—don’t rush; you want every piece to be evenly coated without breaking up the delicate fish.
Step 2: Air Fry to Tender, Flaky Goodness
Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes in an even layer in the air fryer basket. If your basket is on the smaller side, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 9 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking and a light crust. The salmon is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature between 140-145°F—tender and juicy, not dry.
Step 3: Whip Up the Hot Honey Glaze
While the salmon cooks, melt the unsalted butter together with the hot honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Watch closely—the goal is a smooth, warm glaze that’s ready to coat those salmon bites instantly once they’re done.
Step 4: Coat and Garnish
Transfer the warm, tender salmon bites into the saucepan with your hot honey glaze. Gently toss them to ensure that every piece is luxuriously coated in the sweet-and-spicy sauce. Finally, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. Serve these bites immediately, either as an irresistible appetizer or paired with your favorite side for a memorable main course.
Top Tip
Making the perfect Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe is all about balancing flavors and textures. These tips will help you achieve that just-right tender, juicy salmon with a kick of sweet heat every time.
- Even Cutting: Make sure you cut your salmon into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures every bite cooks evenly and you don’t end up with some pieces overcooked while others are underdone.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: When air frying, avoid piling the salmon bites on top of one another. Cooking them in a single layer allows for that nice crisp exterior without steaming.
- Glaze Gently: Toss the cooked salmon bites gently in the hot honey glaze. Too vigorous mixing can break up the delicate fish, and you want each piece coated evenly without falling apart.
- Watch the Temperature: Using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 140-145°F saves you from overcooking, keeping the bites moist and tender.
How to Serve Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe

Garnishes
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over your hot honey salmon bites to add a splash of color and a hint of herbaceous freshness. If you want to change it up, cilantro or chives work wonderfully too, giving a slightly different but equally vibrant flavor.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines as a starter but also pairs beautifully as a main course. Try it alongside garlic roasted asparagus, a crisp green salad, or fluffy quinoa. For a comforting meal, creamy mashed potatoes or coconut rice balance the sweet and spicy glaze perfectly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days, but I recommend enjoying them sooner for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked salmon bites by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep up to 1 month. For best taste, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat your salmon bites in a low oven, around 300°F, for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through, to avoid drying them out. Alternatively, a quick 2-minute microwave zap covered loosely with a damp paper towel works if you’re in a hurry.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you prefer less spice, regular honey works perfectly. You can always add a dash of cayenne or chili flakes to customize the heat level to your taste.
Yes, you can! Oven instructions are included: bake at 400°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway, until the salmon reaches 145°F internally. Then toss with the glaze and garnish as usual.
The key is to reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Use a digital meat thermometer to check. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily when done.
Yes! You can make your own hot honey by gently warming honey with finely chopped fresh hot peppers like jalapeños or chili flakes. This fresh glaze adds a lovely vibrant heat to the salmon bites.
Final Thoughts
Making the Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe at home brings a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and tender flavors that’s sure to impress family and friends. Whether you’re serving these as a tempting appetizer or a quick flavorful main, the combination of air-fried salmon and luscious hot honey glaze is downright irresistible. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—happy cooking and even happier eating!
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Spicy Hot Honey Salmon Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Hot Honey Salmon Bites are perfectly seasoned, bite-sized cubes of salmon cooked to tender perfection in an air fryer and coated in a luscious sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. These flavorful bites make an excellent appetizer or a delightful main course when paired with your favorite side dish. Oven baking instructions are included for those without an air fryers.
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1 ½ pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skins removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Hot Honey Glaze
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup (85 g) hot honey, homemade or store-bought
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 390°F and allow it to heat up while you prepare the salmon.
- Season the Salmon: In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon cubes and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Place the salmon bites in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. You might need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size. Cook for 9 to 10 minutes until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze: While the salmon cooks, melt the butter with the hot honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted and fully combined, remove from heat.
- Coat the Salmon: Transfer the cooked salmon bites into the saucepan with the hot honey glaze and gently toss to coat every piece thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the coated salmon bites and serve immediately either as an appetizer or main dish.
Notes
- Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes on the sheet in a single layer. Bake for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Toss baked salmon in the hot honey glaze and garnish with parsley.
- Ensure salmon is cooked to safe internal temperature but not overcooked to keep it juicy.
- Use homemade hot honey by mixing honey with finely chopped hot peppers if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or drizzle with extra hot honey just before serving.
- Parsley can be substituted with cilantro or chives for a different herb flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 ounces of salmon bites with glaze)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg


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