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I’m not even kidding when I say these Bang Bang Salmon Bites are about to level up your lunch game. You’ve got crispy, seasoned salmon bites tossed in a bold, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce that’ll have everyone coming back for more. And the best part? You get it all done in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients for bang bang salmon
Salmon:
Salmon: Skin removed and cut into 1 inch, bite sized pieces.
Sesame oil: To help get the salmon crispy with added flavor
Garlic powder: To add garlic flavor.
Onion powder: To add onion flavor.
Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky flavor and color.
Cayenne pepper: Adds a little kick.
Salt: Helps to balance all the flavors.
Pepper: Adds depth and spice.
Bang Bang Sauce:
Kewpie mayo: Made with only egg yolks, it has a rich umami and tangy flavor.
Thai chili sauce: Adds sweetness with some heat.
Sriracha: Adds the bang in the bang bang sauce haha, to balance out the sweetness.
Honey: Another layer of sweetness.
Rice vinegar: Tangy vinegar to help bring all the flavors together.
How to make bang bang salmon bites
First, grab your salmon, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and coat those beauties in a mix of garlic powder, sesame oil, and spices.
Toss them in the air fryer, and let them crisp up while you whip together that bang bang sauce. We’re talking kewpie mayo, sriracha, Thai chili sauce, and honey—it’s the perfect mix of creamy, spicy, and sweet.
When those salmon bites come out golden and crispy, just drizzle on that sauce, garnish with green onions, and get ready to dig in.
Trust me, this one’s a game-changer for quick lunches or weeknight dinners. It’s perfect over rice, on a salad, or even on its own for a little snack. I love making it into a bang bang salmon bowl with pickled veggies. No excuses, you’ve got this!
The full recipe can be found below on the recipe card.
Commonly Asked Questions
No problem! You can bake the salmon in the oven. Preheat to 400°F and bake the salmon bites for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
You can pair these crispy salmon bites with jasmine rice, roasted veggies, or toss them on top of a salad. They’re versatile enough to work with almost any side!
Regular mayonnaise works just fine if you don’t have kewpie mayo. If you want to replicate the tanginess, add a splash of rice vinegar to regular mayo.
Store the bang bang sauce in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s great to have on hand for other dishes like grilled chicken or as a dip for veggies.
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 1 lb salmon, skin removed
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- Pepper, pinch
Bang bang sauce:
- ½ c kewpie mayo
- 3 tbsp thai chili sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into bite size pieces. Place in a bowl and add all the seasonings, garlic and sesame oil. Toss together until each salmon bite is well coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Once done, spray the basket lightly with cooking spray if you have.
- Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, don’t overcrowd. Air fry the salmon bites for 8-10 minutes on 400, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and crispy on the edges.
- While the salmon is cooking, in a bowl mix together the ingredients for the bang bang sauce.
- Once the salmon is done, serve with your favorite sides and top with the bang bang sauce. I like to garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Eat and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Feel free to use less sriracha or add more for extra heat
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or mirin
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
bang bang 5 stars for me! Great for lunch or dinner.
Thank you! This is one of my faves!
This recipe forces me to use my air fryer lol. It’s so easy to make at home and tastes so good like something you would order at a restaurant. All my friends love when I make this for them. How could you not love any food with BANG BANG in the title lol