Name: Miso Salmon Bowls (Air Fryer Recipe)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon yellow miso paste; 1 Tablespoon light soy sauce (or liquid aminos or coconut aminos); 1 Tablespoon honey; 1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic; 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 2 lb salmon fillet, cut into 1 inch to 2 inch cubes; Add other components to the bowl like rice, quinoa, whole grains, fresh or steamed veggies and other toppings like kimchi and sesame seeds

These Miso Salmon Bowls are a hearty, satisfying restaurant-quality dinner ready in under 30 minutes. With just miso paste and a few pantry staples, you can create a quick savory marinade for salmon, then cook it effortlessly in the air fryer.

Pair it with your choice of hearty grains and fresh veggies for a complete meal.

overhead view of a bowl filled with miso salmon, cucumber, scallions and quinoa

The salmon bites obsession continues in our house. My kids love salmon, and this bite-sized format makes it incredibly easy to prepare. While I love the teriyaki version of this recipe, I recently found myself with extra miso and created a zippy marinade by combining it with liquid aminos, honey, garlic, and rice wine vinegar.

Why is Miso Good for You?

Miso is a nutrient-rich, fermented soybean paste that supports gut health, boosts the immune system, and aids digestion through its probiotics and enzymes. Fermented foods are one of the best ways to support your gut microbiome!

Miso is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

It has a rich, nutty, umami flavor. It's great in salad dressings, too!

overhead view of the ingredients to make miso salmon bowls including garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, honey, and miso paste

What Type of Miso Should I Use?

When choosing miso paste for a salmon marinade, the flavor profile is key. Yellow miso (shinshu miso) offers a mild, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with salmon, adding depth without overpowering. For a slightly sweeter or bolder alternative, consider white miso paste or red miso, depending on your taste preferences.

How to Shop for Salmon

When shopping for salmon, the best choice depends on your priorities, like flavor, sustainability, and nutrition.

Wild-caught salmon, such as sockeye or king salmon, is often considered the best for its rich flavor, firm texture, and lower risk of contaminants, though it's pricier.

If you opt for farmed salmon, look for responsibly raised options certified by organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) to ensure sustainability and quality.

How to Make Miso Salmon Bowls

Make the Marinade: Whisk together the miso, soy sauce or liquid aminos, honey, garlic, and rice vinegar in a large bowl.

a hand using a whisk to combine the marinade ingredients

Marinade the Salmon: Add cubed salmon to the marinade and let it sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400F.

overhead of a bowl with marinade and salmon pieces

Air Fry the Salmon: Add the salmon bites to the air fryer. Ensure plenty of space between pieces for proper caramelization. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145F.

salmon bites placed inside the air fryer basket

Build Your Bowl: I added cucumbers, scallions and quinoa mixed with wild rice to my bowl since that's what I had on hand.

Overhead of miso glazed salmon bites over a bed of quinoa and cucumers.

Bowl Accompaniment Options

The following would be outstanding additions to your salmon bowl:

Complex Carbohydrates: Black forbidden rice, fonio, barley, wheatberries, farro, brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes

Steamed Veggies: Broccoli, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, green beans, edamame beans

Fresh Veggies and Herbs: Cilantro, mint, avocado, shredded carrots, red onion

Nuts, Seeds & Sauces: Hot honey, lime juice, chili crisp, sesame oil, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, red pepper flakes, kimchi