Looking for a healthy dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes? These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy, flavorful, and topped with a spicy sauce that will leave you craving more! Air fryer and oven instructions included.
Looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious dinner option that packs a punch of flavor? These bang bang salmon bites are exactly what you need!
Perfect for busy weeknights, these bang bang salmon bites can be made in the air fryer or oven. And they’re topped with a creamy bang bang sauce that adds a spicy kick. If you're a fan of crispy, flavorful salmon, this recipe is going to be your new go-to dish!
My favorite way to serve these salmon bites is on a bed of fluffy rice with my quick pickled cucumbers. The combination of the crispy, flavorful salmon with the tangy, refreshing cucumbers, and creamy bang bang sauce is simply irresistible.
On the fence about getting an air fryer? Read my post on Why You Need an Air Fryer in Your Life.
Jump to:
What is Bang Bang Sauce?
Bang Bang Sauce is a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce traditionally made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. It became widely popular with the dish "Bang Bang Shrimp," famously served at the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain.
The name "Bang Bang" probably refers to the sauce's powerful flavor punch, blending creamy, sweet, and spicy elements. It's a versatile addition to many meals, perfect for shrimp, chicken, salmon, or even as a salad dressing.
I make a healthier version of the sauce using Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayonnaise.
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Quick & Easy: This is an easy recipe that's ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a fast weeknight dinner.
- Healthy: Salmon is a great source of protein (this dish packs in 30 grams) and omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart and brain health.
- Packed with Flavor: The bang bang sauce adds a spicy kick that takes this dish to the next level.
- Lightened Up- traditional bang bang sauce is made with all mayonnaise but I lighten it up by using a mixture of Greek yogurt and mayo.
- Family-Friendly: A dish the whole family will love, these salmon bites are a delicious way to get your kids excited about eating seafood.
- Versatile: Serve with rice, a cucumber salad, or in salmon bowls or tacos for a complete meal. These salmon bites are a great protein for meal prep to use in healthy lunches throughout the week.
Doctor’s Tips
- As a doctor, I recommend incorporating fatty fish like salmon into your diet at least twice a week, which is in line with the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for reducing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health. Read my article on the health benefits of salmon.
- Cooking salmon in the air fryer is a fantastic way to maintain its nutritional value while achieving a crispy, delicious texture with minimal oil. Check out my full air fryer recipe collection.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Salmon- I use boneless, skinless salmon filets; you can use fresh or frozen salmon
- Dried spices- I use a mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt for plenty of flavor. You can substitute other spices like ginger or chili powder.
- Cornstarch- I include a little cornstarch to help achieve a crispy texture on the salmon.
- Mayonnaise- the traditional base for the creamy bang bang sauce
- Greek yogurt- I mix nonfat or 2% plain Greek yogurt with the mayo to lighten up the dish.
- Sweet chili sauce- a sweet and slightly spicy Thai sauce that adds tons of flavor. This is the brand of sauce that I like.
- Sriracha- adds a spicy kick; adjust the amount to taste
How To Make Bang Bang Salmon Bites Step-By-Step
- Step 1- Cut salmon into bite-sized cubes. Drizzle them with oil and sprinkle the spices and cornstarch on top. Toss to combine.
- Step 2- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can line the basket with a silicone or parchment paper liner for easy clean up.
- Step 3- Cook for 6-8 minutes until salmon is cooked to your liking. If cooking in the oven, bake the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Step 4- While the salmon is cooking, mix together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a bowl. Adjust the spice level to taste.
Serve the bang bang salmon bites with rice and any vegetables that you like such as my pickled cucumbers (see recipe card). Drizzle the bang bang sauce on top and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve extra sauce on the side.
Chef’s Tips
- If you love extra sauce, double the bang bang sauce recipe so you have plenty for dipping!
- I prefer to make these bang bang salmon bites in the air fryer. You get perfectly golden brown, crispy salmon in a fraction of the amount of time it takes to heat up and cook them in the oven.
- For the best results, make sure your salmon bites are in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This helps them cook evenly and become nice and crispy.
- You can line the basket with a liner for easy clean up (see recommended liners below).
Recommended Air Fryer Accessories
Line your air fryer basket with these reusable perforated silicone mats. You can buy square or round mats. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food prevent it from sticking.
You can also line your air fryer basket with one-time-use perforated parchment sheets. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors- white or brown (unbleached).
This EVO oil sprayer is perfect for evenly spraying your food and air fryer basket with oil. It doesn't clog up like many other brands.
How To Serve This Dish
These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of delicious ways:
- Salmon Bowl: My personal favorite way to serve these salmon bites is over a bed of fluffy rice or cauliflower rice, along with my quick pickled cucumbers. The combination of the tangy, crisp cucumbers with the rich, creamy bang bang sauce and tender, flaky salmon creates a balanced meal that’s hard to resist.
- Salad Bowl: For a lighter option, toss these salmon bites into a fresh salad. Pair them with mixed greens, avocado, and a drizzle of extra bang bang sauce for a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal.
- Tacos: Wrap the salmon bites in soft tortillas with shredded cabbage, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of sauce for a fun twist on taco night.
- Appetizer: Serve these bites on their own with toothpicks and a side of sauce for dipping. They make for a fantastic appetizer at your next gathering or a quick snack for the family.
Recipe FAQs:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
The air fryer is great for reheating salmon the next day because it helps the salmon regain its crispy texture. Just heat for about 3-4 minutes at 350°F.
Yes! This recipe works well with other firm fish like cod or halibut.
Bang Bang Sauce is a spicy, creamy sauce typically made from a combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce like Sriracha. It’s great for adding a flavorful kick to seafood, chicken, and more!
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Recipe
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Salmon Bites:
- 1 ¼ pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skin removed
- 2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Bang Bang Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain nonfat or 2% Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Sriracha or other hot sauce adjust to taste
Pickled Cucumbers:
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
Other:
- rice, for serving
- green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cut salmon into cubes about 1 ½ - 2 inches in size. Place salmon cubes in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the salmon with oil and sprinkle with the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and cornstarch. Toss to coat all of the salmon pieces with the mixture.
- To cook in the air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Working in batches, place salmon cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the basket. Cook 6-8 minutes until salmon is cooked to your liking.
- To cook in the oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange salmon cubes on top, in a single layer. Bake on the top rack of the oven for 8-10 minutes until salmon is cooked to your liking.
- While salmon is cooking, make the sauce by mixing the mayonnaise, yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha together in a bowl.
- To make the pickled cucumbers, mix the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt together in a bowl. Add the cucumbers and let them soak.
- Serve salmon bites on a bed of rice with pickled cucumbers or other desired vegetables. Drizzle the bang bang sauce on top. Serve extra sauce on the side.
Notes
- If you love extra sauce, double the bang bang sauce recipe so you have plenty for dipping!
- I prefer to make these bang bang salmon bites in the air fryer. You get perfectly golden brown, crispy salmon in a fraction of the amount of time it takes to heat up and cook them in the oven.
- For the best results, make sure your salmon bites are in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This helps them cook evenly and become nice and crispy.
- You can line the basket with a liner for easy clean up. You can use a reusable silicone liner or a liner made out of parchment paper.
Comments
No Comments