With perfectly cooked flaky salmon, spicy mayo, and crisp veggies like cucumber and carrots, these Air Fryer Salmon Bowls are an easy, healthy protein-packed lunch or dinner idea for any day of the week. Feel free to customize with your favorite toppings!
Another great way to cook salmon in the air fryer is our Hoisin Air Fryer Salmon fillets.
Easy Salmon Bowl Recipe
Sushi bowls, burrito bowls, ramen bowls…I love all kinds of rice and noodle bowls. To me, they basically equal an easy lunch or dinner in a pinch – and one that can typically be customized.
These salmon bowls are no exception. With a white rice base (unless you opt for something else), this easy air fryer salmon recipe is topped with carrots, cucumbers, snap peas, and spicy mayo for a flavorful, healthy meal that comes together quickly.
What I love most about these salmon rice bowls is that they’re fully customizable. Every person in the family can make theirs exactly how they want it, which tends to satisfy even the picky eaters.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
Here are a few reasons this is one of my favorite air fryer salmon recipes.
- Healthy and filling. With protein-packed salmon and as many veggies as you’d like, this salmon bowl is packed with nutrients AND will keep you full.
- Quick and easy to make. The salmon takes just 7 minutes to prepare in the air fryer, making this an easy lunch or dinner in under 20 minutes.
- Customizable. One thing I love about rice bowls in general is that they’re so easy to customize. Hate peas? Replace them with something else. Not a fan of spicy mayo? Top it with a different sauce. Easy, peasy!
What’s In A Salmon Rice Bowl?
In addition to the salmon, you’ll need just a few fresh veggies and basic seasonings to make this healthy rice bowl.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Salmon – Remove the skin and cut into 1 inch cubes. If using frozen salmon, be sure to thaw it completely before making your salmon bowl.
- Salt & pepper – To season the salmon.
- Sesame oil – To help the seasonings stick, as well as add flavor to the salmon.
- Vegetables – This salmon rice bowl is loaded with healthy ingredients like cucumber, carrots, avocados, and snap peas.
- Sriracha – Adds the spicy to the spicy mayo.
- Light mayo – You can also use Japanese kewpie mayo.
- Soy sauce – For the classic umami flavor.
- Garlic & ginger – Adds aromatics and a bit of an earthy bite to the spicy mayo.
- Cooked rice – For serving. This is a great way to use leftover rice.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
Here’s how to easily make this air fryer salmon recipe, in just a few steps.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Prep the salmon. Remove the skin and cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes, then place in a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
- Cook in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and spray with cooking spray. Air fry the salmon in a single layer for 7 minutes, checking halfway through.
- Make the mayo. While the salmon is cooking, combine all the spicy mayo ingredients in a small bowl.
- Assemble the salmon bowls. Add your cooked rice to a bowl, then top with the veggies and salmon. Top with the spicy mayo and any additional toppings. Enjoy!
How Do You Know When Salmon Is Done?
You can tell when your air fryer salmon is done by gently twisting a fork in it. Fully cooked salmon will flake easily. If it doesn’t, it will need another minute or two.
Note that salmon will cook quickly in the air fryer, especially cut into bite-sized pieces, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Every air fryer cooks differently and you don’t want to overcook it or it will end up dry.
Salmon Bowl Serving Suggestions
Feel free to add whatever toppings you’d like to your salmon rice bowl. In addition to the cucumbers, carrots, and peas, you could try other toppings like edamame, candied jalapenos, pickled red onions, or beets.
I also like to add some scallions and furaki or sesame seeds as a garnish.
If spicy mayo isn’t your thing, yum yum sauce is another great topping. You could also do a drizzle of soy sauce and/or sriracha if desired.
Additionally, while I tend to use white rice, you can easily make these salmon bowls with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even quinoa.
How to Store Leftovers
- Fridge. All components of these salmon rice bowls should be stored separately. The rice, salmon, and spicy mayo can all be stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat. The rice can easily be reheated in the microwave with a bit of water to soften it up. The salmon can as well, though I recommend short 20 second intervals until it’s just hot to prevent drying it out.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Margherita Pita Pizza
- Air Fryer Pineapple
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Air Fryer Salmon Bowls
Ingredients
FOR THE SALMON & VEGGIES
- 1 pound salmon , skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 medium cucumber , thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot , cut into ribbons or thin shreds
- 1 large ripe avocado , thinly sliced
- 8 ounces snap peas
FOR THE SPICY MAYO
- 1 cup light mayo or Japanese kewpie mayo
- 1/4 cup sriracha
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic , minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
FOR SERVING
- cooked rice
- scallions
- Furaki or sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep salmon by removing skin and cutting into 1-inch cubes. Place into a medium bowl and season with the salt, pepper, and sesame oil. Toss to coat. Prep your veggies and set aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees, then spray with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Add salmon to the air fryer in a single layer.
- Air fry for 7 minutes, checking halfway through. (Salmon is done when it easily flakes with a fork – don't overcook, or it will end up dry. See note.)
- While the fish is air frying, combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- To serve, add rice to individual bowls, topped with the veggies and salmon. Drizzle with spicy mayo and desired toppings. Enjoy!
My family loved this recipe! I used coconut aminos since we don’t eat soy sauce. I served it with coconut rice. Absolutely delicious!
This recipe is so simple to make and the outcome was delicious. I appreciate your achievable, dependable, and delicious recipes Amy!