Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

There’s something about the sweet and smoky flavor combination that just works. And this Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon proves it with every perfectly caramelized bite of salmon that practically melts in your mouth.

I love how the brown sugar glaze balances everything out with just the right mix of sweet, savory, and spicy. And since the salmon is cut into smaller pieces, it cooks lightning fast, and you get the perfect glaze-to-fish ratio in every bite.

I’ve served this salmon with pineapple rice and also with this easy Asian rice. And it’s a terrific light meal with this orange parsley salad, too.

Salmon Bites

Inspired by this brown sugar salmon that we first made in the air fryer, these salmon bites are everything I love about that smoky, sweet salmon, made even better with more caramelized edges.

Salmon bites have become my hands-down favorite way to cook salmon over the past year. I often cook them for lunch when I’m on my own, and in that case, the air fryer is my go-to cooking method.

However, when I’m cooking for a family meal, the broiler does a great job in the same amount of time and provides enough salmon for all of us.

Fish Cooking Tips

The most important thing to remember is that the fish will continue to cook for a few minutes after it is off the heat, so you have to remove it just before it is done to your liking. Salmon is best warm and flaking, but still a bit translucent even after resting.

Air Fryer Directions

If you’re an air fryer fan, you’ll be happy to know this recipe adapts beautifully. The salmon gets perfectly crispy on the edges and stays tender inside in just minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Transfer the prepared salmon to the air fryer basket and spread in a single layer with space between each piece, if possible. Air fry the salmon for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Remove from the air fryer and test the salmon for doneness. The fish should barely flake apart with a fork. The cooking time required will depend on the thickness of the salmon.

Brown Sugar Salmon Rub

The brown sugar rub is easily made with just a handful of pantry staples: light brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, paprika, and a touch of cayenne.

Toss it all together and you’ve got an easy, flavor-packed coating that is both sweet and smoky, and thanks to the sugar, it caramelizes beautifully under the broiler.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the salmon into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl. Combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Lightly spray or drizzle the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with about ⅔ of the sugar and spice mixture and toss with your hands to coat. Spray a large baking sheet with oil and spread the salmon across the baking sheet. Sprinkle each piece of salmon with the remaining spice mixture.
Place the salmon in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, and increase the heat to BROIL on high. When the oven reaches broiling temperature, return the salmon to the oven and broil for 3-4 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze has lightly caramelized.
Remove from the oven and test the salmon for doneness. The fish should barely flake apart with a fork. The cooking time required will depend on the thickness of the salmon.

When cooking fish, it’s always a good idea to cook it a couple of minutes less than your estimated time, then check for doneness. You can always pop it back in the air fryer or oven, but you can’t fix an overcooked piece of fish.
The most important thing to remember is that the fish will continue to cook for a few minutes after it is off the heat, so you have to remove it just before it is done to your liking. Salmon is best warm and flaking, but still a bit translucent even after resting.