If you’re craving an appetizer that’s packed with Caribbean flavor, look no further than these jerk salmon bites. Generously seasoned and incredibly tender, this seafood appetizer will be the star of your next dinner party or family gathering. Best of all, they’ll be ready to eat in under 15 minutes.
The air fryer is perfect for cooking salmon. It comes out slightly crispy on the outside and succulent in the middle. If you don’t have an air fryer, feel free to use a toaster oven or your regular oven. To enjoy these jerk salmon bites as an appetizer, serve them with toothpicks along with your favorite dipping sauce. They can also be incorporated into salads or used to make a spicy salmon bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh or frozen salmon
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning mix (homemade or store-bought – see below for our homemade recipe)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Ingredients for the jerk seasoning mix
- 2 Scotch bonnet (or habanero) peppers, chopped. Remove the seeds for less spice.
- 4 green onions (scallions)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh or dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice (pimento)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Juice of 1 lime or lemon
In a food processor or small blender, blend the Scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, garlic, onion, thyme and lime/lemon juice. Once smooth, pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the rest of the seasonings.
Instructions
- If you’re using frozen salmon, allow it to thaw completely.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the salmon into 1-inch cubes
- Place the salmon cubes in a bowl and pour in the vegetable oil
- Add the jerk seasoning mix and use your hands to ensure each piece of salmon is fully coated
- Line your air fryer basket with foil, lightly greased with vegetable oil
- Add the salmon cubes to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Shake the basket and continue cooking for another 3 minutes until the fish is lightly browned on all sides.
