There’s something undeniably satisfying about bite-sized food, especially when it’s crispy, flavorful, and packed with protein. These Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites are everything you want in a snack, appetizer, or light meal—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re a salmon lover or just looking for a fun way to switch up your weeknight dinners, trust me, this one’s a game-changer.
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Why You’ll Love Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites
Versatile: Perfect as a main dish, party appetizer, or even a protein-packed snack. Serve them over a salad, with a side of rice, or simply dunk them in your favorite dipping sauce.
Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in minutes—just coat, bake (or air-fry), and enjoy! No complicated steps, just simple deliciousness.
Crispy and Flavorful: The combination of crunchy panko, nutty sesame seeds, and tender salmon is a textural dream. Every bite is light, crispy, and packed with umami goodness.
Healthy and High-Protein: Salmon is loaded with omega-3s and protein, making this a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies your cravings while keeping you full.
Ingredients in Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites
Salmon: The star of the show! Use fresh, skinless salmon fillets cut into bite-sized cubes for easy coating and cooking.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These extra-crispy Japanese breadcrumbs create the perfect golden crunch.
Sesame Seeds: A mix of black and white sesame seeds adds nutty flavor and a beautiful speckled crust.
Eggs: Helps the coating stick to the salmon and creates that irresistible crispy texture.
Soy Sauce: A splash of soy sauce infuses the salmon with deep, savory umami flavor.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These add a punch of seasoning and round out the flavors.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the natural flavors in the dish.
Oil Spray: Helps the bites crisp up beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Instructions
Prep Your Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking.
Cut and Season the Salmon: Cut the salmon fillets into bite-sized cubes and toss them with soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Set Up Your Coating Station: In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds.
Coat the Salmon: Dip each salmon piece into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, then roll it in the panko-sesame mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven Method: Place the coated salmon bites on a lined baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Air Fryer Method: Arrange the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray with oil, and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the bites cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauces like spicy mayo, honey mustard, or a simple soy-ginger glaze.
How to Serve Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites
With a Fresh Salad: These bites pair beautifully with a crisp Asian-style slaw or a simple green salad.
Over Rice or Noodles: Serve them over jasmine rice or sesame noodles for a complete meal.
With Dipping Sauces: Try them with sweet chili sauce, sriracha mayo, or teriyaki glaze for extra flavor.
As an Appetizer: Arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for an easy party snack.
Additional Tips
Make Ahead: You can bread the salmon bites in advance and store them in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
Customize the Coating: Swap panko for crushed cornflakes or coconut flakes for a different crunch.
Storage Tips: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
Spice It Up: Add cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture for a little heat.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen salmon?
A1: Yes! Just thaw it completely and pat it dry before coating.
Q2: Can I pan-fry these instead of baking?
A2: Absolutely! Heat a bit of oil in a pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.
Q3: Can I make these gluten-free?
A3: Yes! Use gluten-free panko and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Q4: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A4: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in the air fryer or oven.
Q5: Can I freeze these?
A5: Yes! Freeze uncooked coated salmon bites on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Q6: What’s the best dipping sauce for these?
A6: Sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or teriyaki glaze all work wonderfully!
Q7: Can I use a different type of fish?
A7: Yes! Cod, halibut, or tilapia work well, though cooking times may vary.
Q8: How do I make these extra crispy?
A8: Double-coat them by dipping in egg and panko twice, and don’t skip the oil spray!
Q9: Can I add cheese to the coating?
A9: Sure! Grated Parmesan adds an extra layer of flavor.
Q10: What sides go best with these?
A10: Steamed veggies, rice, or a light cucumber salad make great pairings.
Final Thoughts
These Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites are crispy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a snack, or a main course, they’re sure to be a hit. So go ahead—give them a try and let me know how you like them! Happy cooking!
Print
Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Description:
These Panko Sesame Crusted Salmon Bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with bold flavors from sesame, soy sauce, and a hint of spice. Air-fried for a healthier twist, they make the perfect high-protein appetizer, quick dinner idea, or even a healthy snack. Pair with a zesty chili garlic sauce for an extra kick!
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless, center-cut salmon fillet (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 cup Kewpie mayonnaise, divided
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice, divided, plus wedges for garnish
- 1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
- Cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Sprinkle salmon pieces evenly with ½ teaspoon salt.
- Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together granulated garlic, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil, 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Add salmon and toss gently to coat.
- Coat with crust: In a shallow bowl, mix panko, sesame seeds, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Dredge salmon pieces in the panko mixture, pressing gently to coat.
- Air-fry: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place half of the salmon in the basket, ensuring they are at least 1 inch apart. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes, or until golden and an instant-read thermometer reads 125°F (52°C). Repeat with remaining salmon.
- Prepare the sauce: While the salmon cooks, mix chili garlic sauce, honey, remaining ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and ½ teaspoon lime juice in a small bowl.
- Serve: Drizzle the chili garlic sauce over the cooked salmon bites and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- For an oven alternative, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Swap Kewpie mayo with regular mayo if needed.
- Want extra spice? Add more chili garlic sauce to taste.
- Serve with rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 pieces
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg