Air Fryer Mediterranean Salmon Bowls are a healthy, quick, and flavorful dinner that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table. Packed with crispy air-fried salmon, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, this easy recipe is ideal for weeknights and can be part of a weekend meal prep.
Why Make Mediterranean Salmon Bowls in the Air Fryer?
The air fryer has become a kitchen staple because it's so fast and versatile. Using the air fryer locks in the salmon's natural juices and gives you crispy edges in less time than traditional oven baking. For this quick Mediterranean salmon bowl, the air fryer really helps let the spices shine through. These bowls are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a quick post-workout meal because they're balanced, protein-packed, and satisfying.
If you want a great hummus recipe to accompany this bowl try my Easy Classic Hummus recipe. Need more dinner ideas? My Butternut Squash Feta Salad , One Pot Creamy Boursin Tomato Pasta with Chicken, or One Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Rice are perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
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Ingredients for Air Fryer Mediterranean Salmon Bowls & Tzatziki Sauce
This recipe keeps things simple with fresh, flavorful ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Salmon: Choose skin-on fillets if possible. The skin crisps up nicely in the air fryer, adding both texture and flavor. Cut the filet into 1-inch cubes.
- Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, and Honey: These add moisture and tang to the salmon.
- Mediterranean Seasonings: A mix of dried oregano, smoked paprika, sumac, Aleppo pepper, garlic, salt, and black pepper adds an earthy flavor. Use red pepper flakes instead of Aleppo pepper if it isn't available in your grocery store. I love the fruity notes Aleppo pepper offers, it is a lovely compliment to the sumac and lemon juice. Plus, it isn't super spicy so I can add it to dishes and my kids enjoy it.
- Grain: Quinoa or couscous are high-protein grains that complement the salmon and Mediterranean veggies. We often use rice because everyone loves it. Cauliflower rice is nice for a low-carb option. Cook according to package directions.
- Fresh Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and red onions provide color, crunch, and nutrients. Adding a green like microgreens, kale, or spinach bumps up the nutrients even more!
- Toppings: Kalamata olives and feta cheese add a salty, briny flavor. Though olives are a tough sell with everyone in my house (except me!) so I do not include them in this recipe.
- Tzatziki Sauce: This simple sauce combines Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill, making each bite extra creamy and refreshing. This sauce comes together in 30 seconds but a store-bought tzatziki is even faster! Substitute hummus or add it with the tzatziki for extra sauciness.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Mediterranean Salmon Bowls
- Step 1: Start by patting the salmon fillet dry and cut it into 1-inch cubes. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, oregano, smoked paprika, sumac (*optional), garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the salmon cubes to the bowl, coat evenly, and put it in the refrigerator to marinade for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Cook grain of choice according to package directions. (*If meal prepping, cook grains ahead of time and keep them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until it's time to serve!)
- Step 3: Prep vegetables by chopping cucumber and tomatoes into a medium dice. Thinly slice red onion.
- Step 4: Air Fry the Salmon. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the salmon cubes in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching to allow for even cooking. Air fry for 7 minutes, shaking halfway through the cooking time. You'll know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and has a nice golden color.
- Step 5: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
- Step 6: Assemble Mediterranean Salmon Bowls. Divide the cooked rice, quinoa or couscous among four bowls. Add cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, greens, avocado, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Once the salmon is done, place salmon cubes on top of each bowl, add a large dollop of tzatziki sauce, then drizzle with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.
Why These Bowls Are Perfect for Meal Prep
This recipe is meal-prep gold! You can cook the grains, make the marinade, chop the salmon and veggies, and make the tzatziki in advance. Just keep everything stored separately in airtight containers. When you're ready to eat, allow the salmon to marinade for 15 minutes, air fry the salmon, and assemble your bowl - it'll taste like you spent way more time on it than you actually did!
Why My Kids Love Bowls
This (and most bowl recipes) is great for families because you can easily tweak each bowl for personal preference. Often times when my kids were very small, I found that if I offered them a handful of vegetable options and told them they had to pick two, they were happy to try new things. We discovered quite a few veggies they were happy to eat from that point forward because they felt more in control of their choices. If your kids don't like olives, shred some carrot and offer that as a choice. No to tomatoes? Maybe chickpeas will hit the spot!
Customizing Mediterranean Salmon Bowls
The beauty of Mediterranean salmon bowls is in their versatility! Here are a few ideas to customize your bowl:
- Change Up The Protein - You can easily substitute cubed chicken breast, portobello mushrooms, or tofu for salmon. Remember to adjust cooking times as necessary.
- Add Roasted Veggies - For added depth, try adding roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or grilled zucchini to your bowls. Try adding roasted chickpeas for a plant-based protein boost.
- Try Different Sauces - If you're not a fan of tzatziki, try a lemon tahini sauce or a big dollop of hummus for a creamy, tangy alternative.
- Swap Grains - Bowls are super versatile. Use any grain your family loves. Rice, quinoa, couscous, bulgur, or even barley. For a low-carb version, use cauliflower rice.
- Serving Suggestions - Pair these Air Fryer Mediterranean Salmon Bowls with warm pita bread or a side of hummus for an extra touch of Mediterranean goodness. They also pair beautifully with a side salad drizzled with lemon juice, olive oil, and a sprinkling of sea salt.
Storage
To store leftovers, keep the salmon, grains, and vegetables in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the salmon in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back its crispy texture.
Top Tips
Do not overcrowd the salmon when air frying! Cook it in batches. Proper air circulation around each salmon nugget ensures crispy edges instead of steamed salmon.
Mediterranean flavors pair so well with other veggies and grains, making this a flexible go-to recipe.
FAQ
Absolutely! Just thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before seasoning and air frying. This helps the salmon cook evenly and allows the seasoning to adhere better.
Yes, if you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the salmon cubes in the oven at 400°F for about 12 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. The oven will give you a similar result, though the edges may be slightly less crispy.
Related
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Recipe
Air Fryer Mediterranean Salmon Bowls
Equipment
- Air Fryer - Essential for achieving perfectly cooked, crispy salmon in a short time.
- Mixing Bowls - For mixing the marinade and preparing the tzatziki sauce.
- Cutting Board and Knife - For chopping vegetables and preparing the salmon.
- Baking Sheet (optional) - If you prefer to use an oven instead of an air fryer, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper works well.
- Small Whisk or Spoon - To mix the tzatziki sauce ingredients smoothly.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups - For accurately measuring spices, olive oil, and other ingredients.
- Serving Bowls - To assemble the Mediterranean salmon bowls for serving.
- Box grater - for shredding cucumber if making homemade tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 cup grain of choice, cooked as directed on package rice, quinoa or couscous
For Salmon
- 24 ounces salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes leave skin on for more crisp
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried sumac *optional and okay to omit if not available in your area
- ¼ teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes or red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Bowl Toppings
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup mircogreens, chopped kale or spinach
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
For Tzatiki
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ¼ cup cucumber, shredded
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Start by patting the salmon fillet dry and cut it into 1-inch cubes. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, oregano, smoked paprika, Aleppo pepper, sumac (*optional), garlic, salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon cubes to the bowl, coat evenly, and put it in the refrigerator to marinade for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Cook grain of choice according to package directions. (*If meal prepping, cook grains ahead of time and keep them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until it's time to serve!)
- Step 3: Prep vegetables by chopping cucumber and tomatoes into a medium dice. Thinly slice red onion and avocado.
- Step 4: Air Fry the Salmon. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the salmon cubes in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching to allow for even cooking. Air fry for 6 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway through the cooking time. You'll know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and has a nice golden color. Cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Step 5: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
- Step 6: Assemble Mediterranean Salmon Bowls. Divide the grain among four bowls. Add cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, greens, avocado, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Once the salmon is done, place 4 to 6 ounces on top of each bowl, add a large dollop of tzatziki sauce, then drizzle with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.
Andrea says
Delicious!
Anonymous says
Yummy and easy to make
Anonymous says
What a healthy option
Anonymous says
The best bowl you could ever have!