salmon air fryer recipe - honey garlic salmon with sauteed veggies — Makes: *3 Servings*
Per Serving: *40g Protein | 440 Cal*

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If you need a quick, high-protein dinner that actually tastes good and doesn’t take a ton of effort, this air fryer honey garlic salmon is one of my go-to meals. It’s simple, balanced, and comes together in about 25 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.

This recipe combines tender, caramelized air fryer salmon bites with crisp stir-fried vegetables and a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce. It’s one of those meals that feels a little elevated but is still easy enough to make on repeat.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe

This is one of those recipes that just makes life easier, especially when you’re trying to eat more protein without overthinking your meals. The salmon is packed with protein and healthy fats, and cooking it in the air fryer keeps it tender on the inside with slightly crispy, caramelized edges.

The sauce is another reason this recipe stands out. It’s made with simple ingredients like honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, but once it cooks down, it turns into a flavorful glaze that coats everything perfectly. It hits that balance of sweet and savory without feeling too heavy.

I also like how customizable it is. You can serve it over regular rice, or swap in a lower-carb option depending on your goals. Either way, it’s a filling, high-protein meal that works for both meal prep and quick dinners.

salmon air fryer recipe - overhead shot of finished dish

Ingredients

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (use tamari to keep it gluten-free)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)
2 salmon fillets, cut into 1½–2 inch chunks
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1½ cups snow peas
1 cup baby corn, halved lengthwise
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
Cooked rice for serving (2 bags Lundberg Chili Crisp Rice is highly recommended here) OR low-carb rice for a lower carb/lower calories option.
Gimme K-Crisps or furikake for garnish

Instructions

Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, paprika, and chili flakes until fully combined. Set the sauce aside until you’re ready to use it.
Prep the salmon: Cut the salmon into chunks and add to a bowl. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the sauce over the salmon and toss to coat the salmon. Let it sit while you prep the veggies. Even five minutes makes a difference.
Air fry the salmon: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange the salmon chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd. Air fry for about 7-10 minutes depending on thickness, until the salmon is just cooked through and the edges are lightly caramelized.
Sauté the veggies: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, snow peas, and baby corn with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, tossing frequently, until bright and slightly blistered, but still crisp.
Sauce the veggies: Add 2-3 tablespoons of the remaining sauce to the skillet. Toss to coat and cook another 1-2 minutes until the sauce lightly glazes the vegetables.
Finish and serve: Serve the glazed vegetables over cooked rice. Top with air-fried salmon chunks, sliced green onions, and a generous handful of K-Crisps or sprinkle of furikake. Drizzle any remaining sauce on top and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving - Makes 3 Servings)

Each serving comes out to about 440 calories with 40g of protein, which makes it a really solid option for both lunch and dinner.

Calories: 440
Protein: 40g
Carbs: 48g
Fat: 10g

salmon air fryer recipe - finished portion of honey garlic salmon with vegetables

Tips for Best Results

Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Salmon needs airflow to caramelize properly. Cook in two batches if needed. It's worth it for those sticky, glazed edges.
Ginger is not optional. It sounds like a small thing, but fresh grated ginger takes this sauce from good to genuinely great. A microplane makes it fast (and easy). Peel the ginger with a spoon if you’d like!
Keep the vegetables crisp. Medium-high heat and a short cook time is the move. Overcooked vegetables get soggy and lose their vibrant color.
Let the salmon sit in the sauce. Even a 5-minute rest in the marinade makes a noticeable difference in flavor.

Storage & Reheating

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days

How to Reheat

Reheat in the microwave for a quick option
Or warm in a skillet over medium heat for better texture

Easy Variations and Substitutions

Protein Options

This recipe works best with salmon fillets, but you can adjust portion sizes based on your protein needs.

Sauce Adjustments

Add more chili flakes for extra heat.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free. Use coconut aminos for a soy-free sauce. Don’t forget to check the hoisin ingredient list to make sure it’s gluten-free!
Adjust honey slightly depending on how sweet you want the sauce.

Rice Options

Use Lundberg Chili Crisp Rice for extra flavor.
Swap in a lower-carb rice alternative to reduce carbs and calories.
You can also serve this on its own with vegetables for a lighter option.

salmon air fryer recipe - close-up shot of finished honey garlic salmon with vegetables and rice

FAQs

The salmon should flake easily with a fork and look opaque all the way through. If you want to be exact, the internal temperature should hit 145°F, but I usually just go by texture. If it’s starting to flake and still looks juicy, you’re good. Just try not to overcook it since salmon can dry out quickly.
Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking. I like to let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then pat it dry really well with a paper towel before cutting and seasoning. Removing that extra moisture helps it cook more evenly and gives you better texture in the air fryer.
You can easily make this gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and checking that your hoisin sauce is gluten-free. Most of the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so it’s really just those sauces you need to pay attention to.
I like cutting it into bite-sized chunks, around 1½ to 2 inches, so everything cooks evenly and you get those slightly caramelized edges. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so nothing overcooks while the rest finishes.

This easy air fryer salmon recipe is one of those meals that checks all the boxes. It’s quick, high in protein, and full of flavor without requiring a lot of effort. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, but still feels like a great recipe you could serve to friends or family. If you’re looking for an easy way to add more protein to your routine, this is definitely one to keep in your rotation.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon with Veggies

Yield: 3

Author: Ashley aka The Protein Snack Queen

This air fryer honey garlic salmon with stir-fried veggies is a fast, high-protein weeknight dinner with a sticky, sweet-savory glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes!