Bang Bang Salmon
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Bang Bang Salmon Bites – crispy outside, juicy salmon inside, all drizzled in a sweet and spicy glaze. Inspired by the legendary Bang Bang Shrimp, salmon just got a bold upgrade.
Bang Bang Salmon – Crispy, saucy, and shamelessly addictive!
Confession: I have a soft spot for those iconic Bang Bang Shrimp appetizers, you know, the ones that vanish faster than you can say, “Pass me another.” But why should shrimp have all the fun? Enter these salmon bites.
Crispy, saucy, and shamelessly addictive, they won over Remo (a tough critic, especially when salmon’s involved) in record time. Now, they’re a weekly request, spicy, sweet, and ridiculously easy thanks to my trusty air fryer. Move over, shrimp, salmon’s officially stealing the show.
Before You Begin
- Choose Fresh Salmon: Opt for fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for the best flavor and texture. Remove the skin and cut into bite-sized pieces, so it cooks evenly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer so that the salmon cooks evenly and gets crispy on the outside.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can prevent them from getting crispy. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Shake the Basket: Gently shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure the salmon bites cook evenly on all sides.
- Serve Immediately: I recommend serving this dish right out of the air fryer while it’s hot and crispy. Drizzle with the sauce just before serving to maintain the crispiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon fillets: Use fresh, skinless salmon cut into bite-sized pieces. It cooks evenly and quickly, making for a perfect bite every time.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Adds a savory, aromatic flavor and boosts the overall taste.
- Smoked paprika: Gives the salmon a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and a vibrant color. You can also use regular paprika.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Adds a bit of heat if you like a spicier kick. Feel free to omit if you prefer milder flavors.
- Mayonnaise: I used Japanese mayonnaise but use your favorite. Greek yogurt is a great substitute.
- Thai sweet chili sauce: I love using this stuff because it adds a sweet and mildly spicy kick. Made from chilies, sugar, and garlic, it pairs perfectly with the spicy sriracha and tangy lime juice.
- Sriracha sauce: This is what gives our sauce its signature spicy kick. Adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.
- Honey: Balances the flavors with a touch of sweetness, complementing the spicy and tangy elements.
- Lime juice: Adds a fresh, tangy twist that brightens up the sauce. Fresh lemon juice works too if you’re out of limes.
In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon lime juice until well combined. Set aside.
- Tip: Adjust the sriracha sauce to your heat preference.
In a large bowl, combine 1½ pounds of salmon fillets (cut into bite-sized pieces), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional). Toss until the salmon bites are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Tip: Toss gently to avoid breaking the salmon pieces.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches. Air fry the salmon bites for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and crispy on the edges.
- Tip: Shaking the basket halfway through helps the salmon cook evenly on all sides.
Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a serving platter and drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce. Serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.
- Tip: I recommend serving this dish right out of the air fryer while it’s hot and crispy for the best flavor and texture.
How To Serve
Here are some great ideas to serve alongside this delicious dish:
Jasmine Rice
Avocado Salad
Thai Cucumber Salad
Easy Tossed Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these salmon bites in the oven if I don’t have an air fryer?
Yes, totally doable! Bake them on a lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes until crispy and golden. They’ll still taste amazing, promise!
How spicy is Bang Bang Salmon?
It’s got a nice kick without melting your taste buds off, but spice is personal. If you’re a heat seeker, crank up the sriracha. Prefer it mild? Just ease back a bit.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Absolutely, but thaw it completely and pat dry before coating, wet salmon won’t crisp up nicely. Nobody likes soggy salmon bites, trust me on this.
What’s a good substitute if I don’t have Thai sweet chili sauce?
A simple mix of honey, garlic, a dash of vinegar, and your favorite hot sauce works great. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still deliver that sweet spicy hit.
Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes! Coat the salmon bites and refrigerate on a tray, then air fry or bake just before serving. Keep the sauce separate until you’re ready to enjoy.
Storage + Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon bites (without sauce) on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat directly from the fridge or freezer in your air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 2-4 minutes until crispy, or bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle with fresh sauce right before serving.
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
- Firecracker Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon Bites
- Salmon Patties
- Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
- Bruschetta Salmon
- Sushi Bowls
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Bang Bang Salmon
Video
Ingredients
Salmon Bites:
- 1 ½ pounds salmon fillets (skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, honey, and lime juice until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the salmon bites, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Toss until the salmon bites are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches. Air fry the salmon bites for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and crispy on the edges.
- Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a serving platter and drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce. Serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.
Equipment
Notes
- Use fresh, skinless salmon fillets cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to control the heat level.
- Cook the salmon bites in a single layer to keep them crispy; cook in batches if necessary.
- Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the salmon just before serving so that it stays crispy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooked salmon bites in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
