Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crispy textures, these Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites transform ordinary salmon into irresistible bite-sized morsels that are ideal for dinner, appetizers, or party platters. Ready in under 30 minutes!

Easy Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites Recipe

There’s something magical about the combination of crispy salmon coated in a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce that keeps everyone coming back for more. These Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors. The exterior develops a perfect golden crust while the interior remains tender and flaky, making each bite a delightful contrast of textures.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something impressive but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It’s also become one of my go-to dishes for spring and summer entertaining, offering a lighter alternative to heavy appetizers while still delivering on bold flavors.

THIS RECIPE:

• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors
• Great for both weeknight dinners and entertaining

Recipe Details	Information
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	15 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes
Servings	4
Yield	24-28 salmon bites

What I love most about these Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites is their versatility. They’re substantial enough to serve as a main dish with some simple sides, but also perfect as an appetizer for gatherings. The honey garlic sauce caramelizes beautifully, creating an irresistible glaze that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe!

Ingredients for Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

this rECIPE

The quality of your ingredients makes all the difference in this Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites recipe. Since we’re working with relatively few components, each one needs to shine. The star of the show is obviously the salmon, so invest in the freshest, highest-quality fish you can find.

For the Salmon Bites:

• 1½ pounds fresh salmon filet, skin removed
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

For Garnish:

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Fresh lime wedges

Ingredient Category	Recommended Quantity	Quality Tips
Salmon	Wild-caught when possible	Look for bright, firm flesh with no fishy smell
Honey	Local, raw honey	Darker varieties offer more robust flavor
Garlic	Fresh cloves only	Avoid pre-minced for best flavor
Soy Sauce	Low-sodium variety	Allows better control of final salt level
Rice Vinegar	Unseasoned	Provides clean acidity without added sugar

Pro tip: For the freshest salmon, ask your fishmonger for center-cut pieces, which have the most consistent thickness and cook more evenly.

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Before diving into the cooking process, ensure all your ingredients are measured and prepped. This Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites recipe comes together quickly, so having everything ready will make the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 1: Prepare the salmon

1. Pat salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
2. Cut salmon into 1-inch cubes
3. Place salmon pieces in a large bowl

Step 2: Coat the salmon

1. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
2. Sprinkle the dry mixture over the salmon pieces
3. Gently toss until all pieces are lightly but evenly coated
4. Shake off excess coating

Step 3: Prepare sauce ingredients

1. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sriracha
2. In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry
3. Set both mixtures aside

Step 4: Cook the salmon

1. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
2. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add salmon pieces to the hot pan
3. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy
4. Transfer cooked pieces to a paper towel-lined plate
5. Repeat with remaining salmon

Step 5: Make the sauce

1. In the same pan (wipe clean if necessary), add the honey-soy mixture
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 1-2 minutes
3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer until sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes
4. Add sesame oil and stir to combine

Step 6: Combine and serve

1. Return all salmon pieces to the pan with the sauce
2. Gently toss to coat each piece evenly
3. Cook for 1 minute to allow flavors to meld
4. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges

The key to perfectly crispy salmon bites is to ensure your oil is hot enough before adding the fish, and to avoid overcrowding the pan, which would cause the salmon to steam rather than develop that beautiful crust.

Tips for Making Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Achieving the perfect Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites requires attention to a few crucial details that can elevate your dish from good to extraordinary:

• Use a paper towel to thoroughly dry the salmon before coating it. Excess moisture will prevent proper crisping.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the salmon pieces. Work in batches if necessary.
• Maintain medium-high heat throughout cooking to ensure a crispy exterior without overcooking.
• Test your oil temperature by adding a small piece of salmon—it should sizzle immediately.

Technique	Recommendation	Why It Works
Pat Drying	Use paper towels to thoroughly dry salmon	Removes moisture that prevents crisping
Coating Method	Light dusting instead of thick batter	Creates delicate crispiness without heaviness
Cooking Temperature	Medium-high heat	Develops crust without overcooking interior
Sauce Timing	Add salmon to sauce last minute	Preserves crispiness while infusing flavor

Pro tip: For extra flavor, marinate the salmon cubes in 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sesame oil for 10 minutes before coating and frying. Just be sure to pat them dry again before applying the cornstarch mixture.

Make-Ahead Instructions

While Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are best enjoyed fresh, there are several ways to prepare components ahead of time to streamline the cooking process:

The sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat gently on the stovetop when ready to use, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much during storage.

You can also cut the salmon into cubes up to 24 hours before cooking. Store them in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, and pat dry thoroughly before coating.

The dry coating mixture can be prepared and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

For partially prepared salmon bites, you can coat the salmon cubes and store them on a parchment-lined tray in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before cooking. Any longer and the coating may become soggy.

Storing Leftovers

Properly stored leftover Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites will maintain their quality for a short period:

Store any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The crispiness will diminish somewhat, but the flavor will remain delicious.

For food safety, ensure leftovers are refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Salmon is delicate and should never be left at room temperature for extended periods.

When reheating, place the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as this will make the salmon rubbery and destroy any remaining crispness.

Pro tip: If you know you’ll have leftovers, consider setting aside some uncoated salmon bites and sauce separately. This way, you can freshly prepare another batch later without compromising on texture.

Freezing Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

While fresh is best for seafood dishes, you can freeze these Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites if necessary:

For best results, freeze the cooked salmon bites before adding sauce. Allow them to cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.

Properly stored, the salmon bites can be frozen for up to 1 month. Beyond this time, they may develop freezer burn and lose quality.

To thaw, place the frozen salmon bites in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through, then toss with freshly made honey garlic sauce.

The sauce can also be frozen separately in an ice cube tray, then transferred to a freezer bag once solid. Thaw and reheat gently on the stovetop before using.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of accompaniments:

As a Main Course:

• Serve over steamed jasmine or coconut rice to soak up the delicious sauce
• Pair with simple steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, or asparagus
• Add a side of cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar for a refreshing contrast

As an Appetizer:

• Arrange on a platter with decorative toothpicks
• Serve with additional sauce on the side for dipping
• Include lime wedges for guests to add brightness as desired

Beverage Pairings:

• A slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer complements the honey notes
• For beer lovers, a crisp Asian lager or wheat beer works well
• Non-alcoholic options include iced green tea or a ginger-lemongrass mocktail

For an elevated presentation, serve the salmon bites in lettuce cups with thinly sliced radishes and carrots, creating a beautiful color contrast and adding a fresh crunch.

FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw it completely in the refrigerator and pat it very dry before cutting and coating. Fresh salmon will yield better results in terms of texture and flavor, but high-quality frozen salmon can work in a pinch.

What can I substitute for cornstarch in the coating?
Arrowroot powder or potato starch make excellent 1:1 substitutes for cornstarch. If you don’t have either, you can use all-purpose flour, though the coating won’t be quite as crispy.

Is there a non-spicy version of this sauce?
Absolutely! Simply omit the sriracha sauce entirely. You can add an extra teaspoon of honey to maintain the sweet-savory balance.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend, and use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Verify that your cornstarch is processed in a gluten-free facility.

My sauce didn’t thicken properly. What went wrong?
The most common issue is not bringing the sauce to a proper simmer before adding the cornstarch slurry. Make sure the liquid is hot, whisk the cornstarch slurry again right before adding (it settles quickly), and continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes after adding.

How do I prevent the salmon from falling apart while cooking?
Be gentle when tossing the salmon with the coating. Make sure your pan and oil are hot before adding the salmon, and resist the urge to flip the pieces too early—allow a crust to form, which will help hold the salmon together.