Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes, thaw it fully and pat it very dry before seasoning.

Can I cook the asparagus separately?

Yes. Cook salmon first, then air fry asparagus for 4 to 6 minutes if your basket is small.

What sauce works best?

Creamy lemon sauce, garlic aioli, or a yogurt dill sauce all work well.

How do I avoid overcooked salmon?

Cut even pieces, preheat the air fryer, and check early because salmon bites cook fast.

Back to Recipes

Seafood

Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus

Name: Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 lb salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch bites; 12 oz asparagus, trimmed; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley; Lemon wedges and creamy lemon sauce, for serving

By Airfryfeast Test KitchenReviewed by Airfryfeast Editorial TeamPublished Jun 28, 2026

American 22 mins air-fryer-friendlyfather's-daysalmonseafoodasparagushealthyhigh-proteinquick30-minutes-or-lessv2

These Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus are crisp-edged, bright, and ready fast enough for an easy celebration dinner.

Prep 12 min

Cook 10 min

Total 22 min

Servings 4

Difficulty easy

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Servings 4

1 1/4 lb salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch bites
12 oz asparagus, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley
Lemon wedges and creamy lemon sauce, for serving

Ingredients for Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes.
Pat salmon bites dry. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
Toss asparagus with the remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Add salmon bites and asparagus to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry at 400 F for 7 to 10 minutes, shaking gently once, until salmon flakes easily and asparagus is tender-crisp.
Garnish with dill or parsley and serve with lemon wedges and creamy lemon sauce.

Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus cooking in the air fryer

Tips

Air Fryer Model Notes

Salmon cooks quickly in small bites. If your air fryer runs hot, check at 7 minutes and pull the pieces as soon as they flake.

Crispiness Control

Pat salmon dry and leave room around the pieces. Too much lemon juice in the basket can soften the edges.

Doneness Cues

Salmon should flake easily and look opaque at the center. Asparagus should stay bright green with lightly browned tips.

Reheat In The Air Fryer

Reheat gently at 325 F for 2 to 3 minutes so the salmon does not dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen salmon?: Yes, thaw it fully and pat it very dry before seasoning.
Can I cook the asparagus separately?: Yes. Cook salmon first, then air fry asparagus for 4 to 6 minutes if your basket is small.
What sauce works best?: Creamy lemon sauce, garlic aioli, or a yogurt dill sauce all work well.
How do I avoid overcooked salmon?: Cut even pieces, preheat the air fryer, and check early because salmon bites cook fast.

Ingredient Replacements

Use cod, halibut, shrimp, or chicken breast pieces instead of salmon, adjusting cook time as needed. Swap asparagus for green beans, broccoli florets, or zucchini spears. Use fresh lemon zest, black pepper, and garlic powder if you do not have lemon pepper seasoning.

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently at 325 F or enjoy cold over salad.

Read related air fryer guides and cooking tips.

More Recipes

Explore more recipes you may like.

Reviews

Rate this recipe and share a photo of your result.

No reviews yet.

Air Fryer Father's Day Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites with Asparagus

Recipe Details

Ingredients

Instructions