These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are about to become your new favorite weeknight meal. Imagine perfectly tender chunks of salmon with an irresistibly crispy coating, all tossed in a creamy, spicy, and sweet sauce that explodes with flavor. Best of all, this entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for a quick dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a healthy addition to your favorite salads and bowls.
We’re using simple, fresh ingredients to create a meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant. The homemade bang bang sauce is the star of the show, and you’ll want to put it on everything! Get ready to impress your family and friends with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you can have these delicious salmon bites on the table in about 20 minutes. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you need something quick but satisfying.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of the savory salmon and the sweet, spicy, and creamy bang bang sauce is truly addictive. It hits all the right notes.
- Crispy Perfection: We use a simple panko breadcrumb coating that gets wonderfully golden and crunchy in the air fryer or oven, providing a perfect textural contrast to the tender salmon.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you prefer using an air fryer for extra crispiness or baking them in the oven, this recipe works beautifully either way.
What is Bang Bang Sauce?
Bang Bang sauce is a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that gained popularity through the restaurant chain Bonefish Grill. Its core components are typically mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of sriracha or another chili-garlic sauce for heat. The result is a uniquely addictive condiment that pairs wonderfully with seafood, chicken, and vegetables. Our homemade version is simple to whisk together and tastes so much better than anything from a bottle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salmon Bites:
- Salmon: One pound of skinless salmon, patted dry and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Mayonnaise: Just a bit to act as a binder for the panko.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These are essential for that light, airy, and super crispy texture.
- Seasonings: A simple mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our sauce.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: This adds the signature sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
- Sriracha: For that perfect kick of heat. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens everything up.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Begin by patting your skinless salmon fillet completely dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into uniform 1-inch cubes.
- Season the Panko: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Coat the Salmon: In a separate, larger bowl, add the salmon cubes and mayonnaise. Gently toss until each piece is lightly coated. Transfer the salmon to the panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to all sides of each piece.
- Cook the Salmon: You can either air fry or bake the salmon bites. For the air fryer, place them in a single layer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes. For the oven, arrange them on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and fresh lime juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Once the salmon is cooked and crispy, let it cool for a minute before transferring it to a large bowl. Drizzle with the bang bang sauce and toss gently to coat. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Air Fryer vs. Baked Method
Both cooking methods yield fantastic results for these Bang Bang Salmon Bites. The air fryer method is slightly faster and tends to produce a crispier, more “fried” texture due to the circulating hot air. The oven-baked method is great if you’re making a larger batch, and while still crispy, the bites will be slightly softer. For the ultimate crunch, the air fryer is our top choice.
What to Serve with Salmon Bites
These versatile bites can be served in so many ways! They are fantastic on their own as an appetizer, but they also make a wonderful main course. Serve them over a bed of jasmine rice, tucked into tacos, or as the protein in a fresh salad. For a delicious and easy side, try this zucchini and chickpea salad. They also pair well with simple steamed vegetables or a refreshing cucumber mango slaw.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To maintain the best texture, it’s best to store the salmon bites and the sauce separately. Keep the cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce can be stored in a separate airtight container for up to a week.
For reheating, the air fryer is your best friend. A few minutes at 375°F (190°C) will bring back much of their original crispiness. You can also reheat them on a baking sheet in the oven. For another great salmon dinner idea, check out this Lemon Butter Salmon recipe.
These salmon bites are best served immediately to enjoy their crispy texture. However, you can prepare the sauce a few days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the panko breadcrumbs with a gluten-free variety. Ensure your mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce are also certified gluten-free.
Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best results, reheat them in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
For a lighter version of the sauce, you can substitute the mayonnaise with full-fat plain Greek yogurt. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be creamy and delicious.
A skinless, boneless salmon fillet is best for this recipe. Atlantic salmon, Coho, or Sockeye all work well. The most important thing is to ensure it’s fresh and to pat it completely dry before cutting and coating.
These salmon bites are best served immediately to enjoy their crispy texture. However, you can prepare the sauce a few days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the panko breadcrumbs with a gluten-free variety. Ensure your mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce are also certified gluten-free.
Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best results, reheat them in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
For a lighter version of the sauce, you can substitute the mayonnaise with full-fat plain Greek yogurt. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be creamy and delicious.
A skinless, boneless salmon fillet is best for this recipe. Atlantic salmon, Coho, or Sockeye all work well. The most important thing is to ensure it’s fresh and to pat it completely dry before cutting and coating.
More Delicious Recipes
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Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Crispy, Spicy & Ready in 20 Mins!)
These quick and easy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are irresistibly crispy and coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. The perfect 20-minute meal for a busy weeknight, made in either the air fryer or oven.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the salmon cubes with 2 tbsp of mayonnaise until lightly coated. Press each piece into the panko mixture, ensuring all sides are covered.
- Air Fryer: Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Oven: Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- While the salmon is cooking, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice in a bowl until smooth.
- Let the cooked salmon cool for a minute, then transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with the bang bang sauce, toss gently, and serve immediately, garnished with green onions if desired.
Notes
For extra crispy salmon bites, lightly spray them with cooking oil before air frying or baking.
Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to match your desired level of spiciness.
Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Crispy, Spicy & Ready in 20 Mins!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the salmon cubes with 2 tbsp of mayonnaise until lightly coated. Press each piece into the panko mixture, ensuring all sides are covered.
- Air Fryer: Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Oven: Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- While the salmon is cooking, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice in a bowl until smooth.
- Let the cooked salmon cool for a minute, then transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with the bang bang sauce, toss gently, and serve immediately, garnished with green onions if desired.
Notes
Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to match your desired level of spiciness.
