Hot Honey Salmon Bites (Printable version)
Tender salmon cubes glazed in a sticky, spicy-sweet hot honey sauce, perfect as appetizers or a main.
# Ingredient list:
→ Fish
01 - 1 lb skinless salmon fillet, cut into bite-sized cubes
→ Marinade
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Sauce
07 - 1/3 cup honey
08 - 1–2 tbsp hot sauce (such as sriracha or chili garlic sauce, adjust to taste)
09 - 1 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
10 - 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
→ Garnish (optional)
11 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the salmon cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the seasoned salmon pieces on the prepared tray in a single layer, ensuring space between each piece for even cooking.
04 - Bake for 8–10 minutes until just cooked through and lightly golden on the edges.
05 - While the salmon bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, soy sauce, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring until smooth and just beginning to bubble, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
06 - Remove salmon from the oven and transfer to a large clean bowl. Pour the hot honey sauce over the salmon bites and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - For a stickier, caramelized glaze, return the sauced salmon bites to the oven for an additional 2–3 minutes. Otherwise, serve immediately.
08 - Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped chives or green onions before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sticky glaze caramelizes just enough in the oven to create edges that are almost candy-like.
- It works as a last minute dinner or a party appetizer without changing a single thing.
02 -
- Do not walk away from the sauce on the stove because honey goes from bubbling to burning faster than you would expect.
- Cutting the salmon into uniform cubes matters more than you think because uneven pieces mean some dry out while others are underdone.
03 -
- Add a pinch of cayenne to the sauce if you want genuine heat that makes your lips tingle.
- The optional second trip to the oven is what turns a good glaze into one that people remember and ask about weeks later.