Introduction
Japan has a habit of making simple food taste far more expensive than it should. A little miso. A little soy. A touch of sweetness. Good salmon. That's the whole trick. These salmon bites develop a rich savoury glaze while the air fryer caramelises the edges into something that tastes like it came from a tiny Tokyo restaurant hidden down an alley full of lanterns and salarymen looking for dinner after work. Sweet. Salty. Smoky. Ridiculously moreish.
You’ll Need
500g salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 tbsp white miso paste
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp honey
1 tsp brown sugar
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 tsp grated ginger
½ tsp black pepper
To Finish
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1 tsp sesame seeds
Optional but Dangerous
Sticky rice
Pak choi
Pickled ginger
Extra chilli oil
Method
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C.
In a bowl, mix together the miso paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper until smooth.
Add the salmon pieces and coat thoroughly.
Allow to marinate for 15 minutes if possible.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer, leaving space between them.
Air fry at 200°C for 7–9 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze begins caramelising around the edges.
During the final minute, brush over any remaining glaze.
Remove carefully and allow to rest for 1 minute.
Finish with spring onions and sesame seeds.
Serve immediately with rice, pak choi, or pickled ginger if using.