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Air Fryer Salmon Bones

Air Fryer Salmon Bones (Kao Sanwenyu Gu)

Lin
Don't throw away those salmon frames! This Air Fryer Salmon Bones recipe transforms humble leftovers into a crispy, omega-3 rich snack in just 20 minutes. It's the ultimate zero-waste Xiajiucai (drinking dish).
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 350 g salmon bones (frames) rinsed, dried, and cut into segments

Marinade

  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground, to taste

Serving

  • 1 wedge lemon for juice

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Fish: Thoroughly wash the salmon bones and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Cut them into segments that fit your air fryer.
    Prepare the Fish Thoroughly wash the salmon bones under cold water to remove any blood. Pat them extremely dry with paper towels. Water is the enemy of crispiness. Cut the bones into segments that fit comfortably in your air fryer basket.
  • Marinate: Place the salmon in a foil tray or bowl. Add the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 15 minutes.
    Marinate Place the salmon segments in a foil tray (or a bowl). Add 2 tablespoons of Light Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing Wine, 1/2 teaspoon of Salt, and a generous grinding of black pepper. Toss well to coat. Let this sit for 15 minutes. This allows the salt to penetrate the meat and creates a brine effect.
  • Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the foil tray with the salmon into the basket. Cook for 20 minutes total.
    Step 3: Air Fry Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the foil tray with the salmon into the basket. Cook for 20 minutes.
  • Flip: At the 10-minute mark, check the salmon. Flip the pieces over to ensure even browning and crisping.
  • Serve: Remove when golden brown and crispy. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving to cut through the richness.
    Air Fryer Salmon Bones

Notes

Safety Note: While the thin rib bones become crispy and edible like chips, the thick central spine is usually too hard to eat. Please chew carefully.
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Keyword Air Fryer, air fryer fish appetizer, Air Fryer Salmon Bones, keto fish snack, Salmon, Salmon frame recipe, spicy salmon bones, zero waste cooking