Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Bites (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

• 1.25 lbsalmon fillet — skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbspolive oil
• 1 tspsmoked paprika
• 1/2 tspgarlic powder
• 1/2 tspfine sea salt
• 1/4 tspblack pepper
• 1 pinchcayenne — optional, for heat
• 1lemon — cut in wedges, to serve

Method

1. 01

   Pat the salmon cubes thoroughly dry — wet fish steams instead of searing, and dry is the whole secret to a crisp edge. Toss them gently with the olive oil.

2. 02

   Mix the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne, then toss the cubes to coat all sides evenly.

3. 03

   Arrange in a single layer with space between the cubes and air fry at 400°F for 9 minutes, no flipping needed, until the edges are crisp and browned. Don't crowd them — gaps are what let the surfaces crisp instead of steam.

4. 04

   Salmon is done at 125 to 130°F for moist, just-flaky bites — check the biggest cube with a thermometer rather than guessing, since it tips from perfect to dry in a minute. Serve with lemon.