Salmon Bites Flavorful Bowl (Print version)

Crispy salmon bites over rice with fresh veggies and creamy spicy sauce, ready in under 40 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Salmon

01 - 10.5 oz skinless salmon fillet, cut into 0.8 inch cubes
02 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
05 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Rice

08 - 7 oz cooked jasmine or sushi rice

→ Vegetables & Toppings

09 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
10 - 1 small avocado, sliced
11 - 2 tbsp pickled ginger
12 - 1 small carrot, julienned
13 - 1 sheet nori, cut into strips
14 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
15 - 2 tbsp scallions, sliced

→ Spicy Mayo

16 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
17 - 1 tbsp sriracha
18 - 1 tsp lime juice

# Directions:

01 - Combine salmon cubes with soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Preheat air fryer or oven to 400°F. Arrange marinated salmon in a single layer and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until golden and cooked through, turning halfway.
03 - Mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice until smooth.
04 - Divide cooked rice between two bowls. Arrange cucumber, avocado, pickled ginger, carrot, and nori on top.
05 - Place hot salmon bites over vegetables and rice. Drizzle generously with spicy mayo.
06 - Sprinkle sesame seeds and scallions over each bowl. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The salmon gets impossibly crispy on the outside while staying buttery inside, and honestly, it's a game-changer compared to pan-seared.
  • Everything comes together in under forty minutes, which means weeknight dinner that actually excites you.
  • It's naturally satisfying with protein and healthy fats, so you're not hungry again in two hours like with some trendy bowls.
02 -
  • Don't marinate the salmon for more than fifteen minutes or the soy sauce will start to cure it and the texture changes—trust me, I learned this the hard way.
  • If your avocado is even slightly overripe, it'll turn to mush when it hits the warm rice, so pick one that gives just a little when you squeeze it gently.
  • Room-temperature or slightly cooled salmon is actually better than piping hot because you can taste all the flavors better.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes right before serving—they become so much more fragrant and nutty that it's almost ridiculous how much it elevates the bowl.
  • Make your spicy mayo ahead of time if you're feeding people because mixing it fresh means you're not rushing at the last second, and honestly, better mayo is the secret ingredient no one talks about.
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