Air Fryer Salmon Bowls

Here's the thing: Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be tasty.

A gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free weeknight meal! This dish is full of flavor, thanks to a simple marinade and easy prep. Perfect for one (with leftovers), date night, or that random Tuesday when you’re pretending your life is more put together than it actually is.

Servings: 2        Prep Time: 15 minutes        Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets (4–6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cooked white rice (I love basmati)
• ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, shredded
• ½ avocado, sliced
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 1 tsp sriracha
• ½ cup vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar

Instructions

1. Marinate the Salmon 

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the salmon dry and cube it into 1-inch pieces. Add the salmon to the marinade and let it sit for 10–15 minutes (plenty of time to prep the rest).

2. Air Fry the Salmon

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place salmon cubes in the basket (use parchment or foil for easy cleanup). Cook for 8–10 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and hits an internal temp of 145°F.

3. Quick-Pickle the Cucumber

Thinly slice the cucumber using a knife or mandolin. Mix together the vinegar and sugar and pour over the cucumbers in a bowl. Pop them in the fridge to chill while the salmon cooks.

4. Prep Your Veggies & Sauce

Shred your carrot, slice the avocado, and stir together your mayo + sriracha for a creamy, spicy drizzle. You can adjust the sriracha to taste.

5. Assemble Your Bowls

Start with a layer of rice, then add:

• Quick-pickled cucumber
• Shredded carrot
• Sliced avocado
• Crispy, tender air-fried salmon
• A drizzle (or dollop) of spicy mayo
• Top with sesame seeds or green onions if you’re feeling fancy.

Why You’ll Love It

These bowls are:

• Naturally allergy-friendly
• Packed with protein and color
• Easily customizable with whatever veggies or grains you have on hand
• Quick enough for a busy night but cute enough to impress someone
• Just the right combo of warm, cold, soft, crunchy, spicy, sweet, and tangy