These pan-seared salmon bites are juicy on the inside, crisp on the outside, and amped up with hot honey. This easy-to-make entrée will have your tastebuds zinging!

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: The salmon bites are a quick and easy entrée, and also a great appetizer.

How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: large skillet, sharp knife
Servings: 2

A stack of three salmon bites with hot honey being drizzled on from a honey wand.
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Hot Honey Salmon Bites

What can I say about this pan fried salmon, except that it’s so good! Crisp nuggets of salmon are seared and then glazed with spicy sweet hot honey. It’s irresistible. Go ahead and double the recipe because these juicy salmon bites will go in a hurry. Serve hot honey salmon bites over rice with veggies, on top of salads, or as is for an easy appetizer. You can’t go wrong!

Why You’ll Love This Salmon Bites Recipe

  • Quick. You will love this recipe because it can be ready in 15 minutes, maybe less if you’re fast. The salmon only has to cook for about five minutes.
  • Flavorful. The salmon is seasoned with a simple brown sugar rub before it’s seared in a nice hot skillet and lightly glazed with hot honey. The brown sugar caramelizes on the outside of the salmon for a deliciously crisp crust.
  • Versatile. These salmon bites can be served as an entrée or an appetizer. Serve them with a fancy toothpick and watch them disappear at parties. Move over, cocktail meatballs, salmon is in town!
Salmon bites on a plate with broccoli and rice.

What You’ll Need

I’ll get you started with some quick ingredient notes. As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card near the end of the post with complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.

  • Salmon Fillet – The recipe calls for 12 ounces of salmon which is two to three servings. Either fresh salmon or frozen is fine; thaw frozen salmon overnight in your refrigerator. If your salmon is skin-on, remove it before you proceed with the recipe.
  • Brown Sugar – The salmon is seasoned with a rub, and brown sugar is the base of the rub. The sugar encourages the caramelization that takes place over high heat.
  • Paprika – Use regular (sweet) paprika which has a subtle flavor and adds a bit of color but not a lot of spice.
  • Garlic Powder – For just a hint of garlic flavor. Garlic powder is dried garlic that is finely ground into a powder and is not the same thing as garlic salt.
  • Salt & Pepper – Simple seasonings that we can’t live without, right? Adjust the amount to your taste.
  • Olive Oil – Half of the oil is added to the rub and the other half is used for frying. Other types of oil are fine, as long as they can stand a little heat (high smoke point).
  • Hot Honey – I use homemade hot honey (it’s really easy to make) or you can buy it from the store. A popular brand is Mike’s Hot Honey. Our homemade version is milder, but delicious nonetheless.

What Is Hot Honey?

Hot honey is plain honey that’s been infused with chili peppers for a spicy kick. It’s a sweet-spicy combo that’s hard to resist.

Incidentally, our homemade hot honey (linked above) isn’t as mouth-tingling as many of the commercial brands we’ve tasted. Which is fine by me! Of course, you can always up the heat if that’s your preference. That’s the beauty of “homemade,” you can make it how you like it.

Ingredients for salmon bites in separate dishes, including salmon.

How to Make Salmon Bites

Here is a visual step-by-step showing just how simple it is to make hot honey salmon bites. You’ll find the printable instructions in the recipe card below the post.

  • Prep the salmon. If your salmon is skin-on, use a sharp knife to carefully slice it away from the salmon fillet.
  • Cut the salmon into bites. Cut the salmon into one-and-a-half to two-inch pieces, as close to the same size as possible so it will cook evenly. Using paper towels, pat the salmon dry.

The Best Way to Cut Salmon

Salmon that is well-chilled (very cold, with a hint of frost) will be firmer and easier to cut without crushing it. Make sure your knife is very sharp.

Add the rub. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the salmon with olive oil, and then rub the sugar/spice mixture into it.

  • Sear the salmon. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, preferably nonstick. Add the salmon pieces in a single layer. Don’t disturb them for two minutes. You want them to get nice and brown, even slightly charred before you turn them.
  • Flip. Using tongs or spatula, quickly flip the salmon bites over and continue to fry for two to three minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Well-done salmon is 145ºF.
A pair of tongs holding a salmon bite above a glass bowl with more salmon bites.
  • Toss with hot honey. Lastly, lightly toss the salmon with the hot honey. If you prefer, the hot honey can be drizzled over the salmon on the serving platter. Serve immediately. The salmon bites are best when they are hot out of the pan!
A honey wand drizzles hot honey over a bowl of salmon bites.

Tips for Success

These are my tips for perfect hot honey salmon bites:

  • Use your choice of salmon. You can make these bites with farm-raised, wild-caught, sockeye salmon, etc. This recipe is great because you can often make it with a cheaper, smaller cut of salmon since you’ll be chopping it up anyway.
  • Get a good sear. Searing the salmon until it’s encrusted and browned on all sides is key for flavor, and holding the salmon together so that it doesn’t flake.
  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Your salmon bites won’t crisp up if they’re crowded together tightly in the pan. Fry them in a single layer so that they don’t steam.
  • Pan fried salmon is best eaten immediately. If you plan on making hot honey from scratch, do that ahead of time. This salmon recipe cooks quickly, so it’s a good idea to prepare your sides first or at least get them going so that they’re ready at the same time as the salmon.

FAQs

Can I eat salmon skin?

While we remove it for this recipe, salmon skin is 100% edible and packed with nutrition. If you’d prefer to leave the skin on, make sure to sear the salmon skin-side down first to get it nice and crispy.

How can I defrost frozen salmon?

If you’re using frozen salmon and need to thaw it in a hurry, place the salmon into a sealed bag and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Replace the water after 30 minutes. It will take about an hour to defrost this way.

Close up of hot honey salmon bites.

Make This Salmon Bites Recipe Your Own

Looking to change up the flavors and ingredients in this salmon bites recipe? Here are some of out favorite ideas:

  • Use any seasoning rub you like for the salmon. Try my BBQ rub, this easy salmon seasoning, or your favorite pre-made rub.
  • Try a different sauce. Not crazy about hot honey? Toss the salmon with maple syrup, barbecue sauce, or hot sauce instead (also see my glazed salmon recipe). The salmon nuggets are good with no sauce at all, too.
  • Substitute chicken for the salmon. If you prefer, make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of salmon. The cooking time will be slightly longer. Refer to my chicken bites recipe for specific instructions.
  • More in the mood for steak? Try garlic butter steak bites, my new favorite way to enjoy steak.
A fork holding a hot honey salmon bite over a bowl of salmon bites served over rice.

How to Serve Salmon Bites

I like to serve the spicy salmon bites with creamy coconut rice or jasmine rice, and lightly steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach or roasted vegetables. Any extra hot honey can be drizzled over the veggies, too! These spicy salmon bites are also a delicious filling for salmon tacos with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

For an easy appetizer, serve these salmon bites on a platter with toothpicks and extra hot honey for dipping. Or, try another dipping sauce like cooling tzatziki, tahini sauce or even fry sauce.

Salmon pieces on a plate with broccoli and rice.

Make Ahead Ideas

This recipe is super fast and easy to make so there’s not a lot to do ahead. If you want to save a couple of minutes, prepare the spice mixture ahead of time. The salmon can be cut and refrigerated until you’re ready to cook it.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

  • Refrigerate. Salmon bites are best eaten immediately. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them promptly in a covered container for up to 3-4 days. See easy ways to use leftover salmon bites in the section below.
  • Reheat. Heat these salmon bites in a skillet, or you can reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Leftover Love

Salmon bites with hot honey are great on a salad, from green leafy salads to grain salads. They add healthy protein and so much flavor! Add salmon bites, either right from the skillet or cold, with the hot honey or without, to this roasted cauliflower salad with arugula & sweet potato or a kale salad with farro and honey Dijon dressing.

Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this salmon recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #9. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week! Or, browse all of our meal plans.

More Salmon Recipes

Recipe

Salmon Bites with Hot Honey

5 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
These juicy pan-seared salmon bites with hot honey are an easy-to-make entrée that will have your tastebuds zinging!
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Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces salmon filet (thawed if frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons hot honey, more as desired

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Remove skin from salmon filets and cut salmon into 1½ to 2-inch pieces. Pat dry with paper towel.
  • Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and coat with spice mixture.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • When the pan is hot, add the salmon and cook for 2 minutes without moving it.
  • Flip over and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145ºF (or your desired temperature).
  • Remove to a bowl and gently toss with hot honey. Serve immediately as a main dish or appetizer. It can also be added to salads or bowls.

Notes

  • Salmon is best eaten right away. Refrigerate leftover salmon promptly, covered well. It will keep for 3 to 4 days.
  • If desired, omit the hot honey. Salmon can be eaten plain, or substitute maple syrup, barbecue sauce, or hot sauce.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 658mg, Potassium: 862mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 108IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Tia says:

    5 stars
    Such a great recipe! Loved the hot honey flavor paired with the salmon.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Hot honey is such a flavor power-house!