Looking for a quick, high-protein dinner you can make any night of the week? Part of my 30 under 30 series, this Sticky Miso Glazed Salmon Bowl is a super easy weeknight meal that comes together in just 25 minutes and packs 43 grams of protein per serving.
Welcome to my 30 under 30 series, where I’m sharing weeknight dinners that take less than 30 minutes to make and deliver over 30 grams of protein per serving.
This sticky miso glazed salmon bowl checks all the boxes. It’s easy to make, packed with over 40 grams of protein, and full of bold, savory flavor.
The inspiration comes from the classic Nobu miso black cod, reimagined here with miso-marinated salmon that’s air fried until caramelized and sticky. I pair it with a simplified take on Japanese miso eggplant, fluffy rice, and a little freshness from sliced cucumber and avocado.
It’s the kind of dinner you can add to your weekly rotation and never get tired of.
Looking for more 30 under 30 recipes?
- High-Protein Sesame Crusted Salmon Bowl
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bowl
- High-Protein Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
- Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Bowls
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Bowls
- Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Bowl
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers with Corn Ribs
Why You’ll Love It
- High in protein: Each bowl delivers 43 grams of protein, making it a filling, balanced dinner.
- Air fryer friendly: The air fryer gives you caramelized, sticky salmon with lightly crisp edges in under 10 minutes. But it can also be made in the oven.
- Weeknight-friendly: Everything comes together in about 25 minutes, start to finish.
- Great for meal prep: The components store well and can be mixed and matched throughout the week.
- Simple, colorful ingredients: Rice, cucumber, avocado, and scallions add freshness and contrast without complicating things.
Looking for another easy salmon dinner? Try this Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon with Potatoes & Broccolini.
Key Ingredients
- Salmon: Cubed salmon cooks quickly in the air fryer and gets perfectly caramelized and sticky.
- Sticky miso glaze: Mild, slightly sweet, and umami-rich.
- Eggplant: Inspired by Japanese miso eggplant but healthier.
- Microwave rice: A true weeknight shortcut that keeps this dinner fast and low-effort.
- Cucumber & avocado: Add freshness and contrast to balance the rich, savory salmon.
Want more miso-glazed salmon? Try this Sheet Pan Miso-Glazed Salmon with Kabocha Squash & Broccolini.
How to Make It
This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, with the eggplant cooking first so it gets perfectly soft while the salmon stays juicy and caramelized.
- Air fry the eggplant: Toss the cubed eggplant with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Air fry until soft and lightly golden, shaking the basket halfway through so it cooks evenly.
- Make the miso glaze: Whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce or tamari, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth and glossy. Set aside.
- Add the salmon: Toss the cubed salmon with the miso glaze and add it directly to the air fryer basket with the eggplant. Cook just until the salmon is cooked through and sticky on the edges.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the warm rice between bowls and top with the salmon and eggplant. Add sliced cucumber and avocado, then drizzle with chili oil (optional). Finish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Looking for a plant-based miso recipe? Try this Spicy Peanut Miso White Bean Salad. It’s no-cook and has over 30 grams of protein per serving.
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Tips & Variations
- Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the miso glaze gluten-free.
- Dairy-free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written.
- Other fish: This glaze works well with other quick-cooking fish like cod, halibut, or steelhead trout. Just keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Other veggies: Swap the eggplant for zucchini, broccoli florets, green beans, or bell peppers. Cook heartier vegetables first, then add the fish so nothing overcooks.
- Other grains: Serve the salmon over brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or farro. Cauliflower rice also works well if you’re keeping things lighter.
Storage & Meal Prep
Store the salmon and eggplant separately from the rice for best texture. Keep everything in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the salmon and eggplant gently in the microwave or air fryer just until heated through. Assemble the bowls with fresh rice, cucumber, and avocado right before serving to keep everything tasting fresh.
This recipe works well for meal prep too, but it’s best enjoyed within a couple of days while the salmon is still fresh.
FAQ
Totally! Roast the eggplant on a lined sheet pan at 425°F (220°C) until soft and lightly golden. Add the miso-glazed salmon cubes and return to the oven until the salmon is just cooked through and sticky on the edges.
White miso works best here. It’s mild, slightly sweet, and keeps the glaze balanced rather than overpowering.
Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before cubing so it caramelizes properly in the air fryer.
Sticky Miso Glazed Salmon Bowl (Air Fryer)
Video
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the miso glazeWhisk together the 1½ tbsp white miso paste, 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp toasted sesame oil until smooth.
- Air fry the eggplantToss the 1 small cubed eggplant with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking halfway, until soft and lightly golden.
- Add the salmonToss the 12 oz cubed salmon with the miso glaze and add to the air fryer basket. Return to the air fryer and cook for 6 to 7 minutes until the salmon is just cooked through and sticky on the edges.
- Assemble the bowlsDivide 1½ cups microwave white or brown rice (warmed) between two bowls. Top with the salmon, eggplant, 1 small sliced avocado (optional), and ½ cup sliced cucumber. Drizzle with the remaining glaze and chili oil (optional), then finish with 2 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Notes
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- 7 Cozy Yet Healthy Winter Dinner Recipes
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One of my favorite recipes on my site. It will be on rotation in my house 🙂
This recipe is inspired by two of my favorite things. Japanese miso eggplant and the famous Nobu black cod. I loved making it but loved eating it even more.
This is so good! Quickly becoming a regular in my house
This makes me so happy
So fast and easy to make, and so tasty. My husband loved it too. His said “make sure you save this recipe so we can have it again. This is really good!”
Aweee, yes so happy Neil liked it. I know he’s a salmon aficionado 🙂