Introduction

These Bang Bang Salmon Bites deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Crispy baked salmon cubes are coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce that’s utterly addictive. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, they’re ready in under 30 minutes. For another quick salmon dinner, try this Easy Salmon Soup Ready in 30 Minutes for a Quick Dinner.

Ingredients

These crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites combine perfectly seasoned salmon with a creamy, spicy sauce and refreshing pickled cucumbers for a flavor explosion in every bite.

• 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
• 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
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
• Rice, for serving
• Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Timing

Context: These Bang Bang Salmon Bites come together about 20% faster than similar recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare the Salmon

Pat one pound of fresh salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into uniform one-inch cubes for even cooking.

Tip: Remove any pin bones you may find with clean tweezers or needle-nose pliers before cutting.

Step 2 — Season the Salmon

Place the salmon cubes in a medium bowl. Drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with ½ teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Gently toss the salmon until all pieces are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Step 3 — Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, two tablespoons sweet chili sauce, one tablespoon sriracha, one teaspoon honey, and one teaspoon rice vinegar.

Taste and adjust the spice level by adding more sriracha if desired. Set the sauce aside.

Step 4 — Preheat Your Cooking Surface

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat or an air fryer to 400°F. For baking, preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

A properly preheated surface ensures your Bang Bang Salmon Bites get a nice sear without sticking.

Step 5 — Cook the Salmon

Arrange salmon pieces in a single layer in your hot skillet, air fryer basket, or on the prepared baking sheet. Do not overcrowd.

Cook for 2–3 minutes per side in a skillet until golden, 8–10 minutes in the air fryer shaking halfway, or 10–12 minutes in the oven until opaque and flaky.

Step 6 — Check for Doneness

The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and flakes easily with a fork. The flesh should be opaque throughout.

Avoid overcooking, as salmon continues to cook slightly after removal from heat.

Step 7 — Toss with Sauce

Transfer the cooked Bang Bang Salmon Bites to a clean bowl. Pour about half of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the hot salmon.

Gently toss to coat all pieces evenly, being careful not to break the delicate salmon.

Step 8 — Garnish and Serve

Transfer the saucy Bang Bang Salmon Bites to a serving platter. Drizzle with remaining sauce and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Serve immediately while hot. These are perfect as an appetizer or main course with rice and vegetables.

Step 9 — Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Bang Bang Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat gently in a 325°F oven or air fryer for 5–7 minutes until warmed through to maintain texture.

Nutritional Information

Note: Estimates based on typical ingredients and serving size.

Healthier Alternatives

• Cod or halibut — These lean white fish options provide a milder flavor while maintaining the flaky texture of the original Bang Bang Salmon Bites.
• Cauliflower florets — For a lower-carb alternative, roasted cauliflower offers excellent sauce absorption and creates delicious vegetarian Bang Bang Cauliflower Bites.
• Greek yogurt mayo — Swap regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt-based mayo to reduce fat content while keeping the creamy texture in your Bang Bang sauce.
• Coconut aminos — Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free, lower-sodium option that still provides savory umami flavor.
• Almond flour coating — Replace traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour for a gluten-free, lower-carb crust that adds nutty flavor to your salmon bites.
• Air frying — Instead of pan-frying, air fry your Bang Bang Salmon Bites to achieve crispy texture with significantly less oil.
• Hot sauce reduction — Cut back on sugar by using your favorite hot sauce instead of sweet chili sauce, adjusting heat levels to preference.
• Nutritional yeast — For dairy-free alternatives, nutritional yeast can add cheesy flavor to the coating without actual dairy products.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these Bang Bang Salmon Bites over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice or cauliflower rice to soak up the delicious sauce
• Create a vibrant bowl with steamed broccoli, snap peas, and shredded carrots alongside the salmon bites
• Thread the salmon bites onto skewers with bell peppers and pineapple for a fun appetizer presentation
• Pair with a crisp cucumber salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the creamy, spicy flavors
• Serve as elegant appetizers at parties with toothpicks and extra bang bang sauce for dipping
• Make it a complete meal by adding coconut rice and quick-pickled vegetables
• For a low-carb option, serve the Bang Bang Salmon Bites over fresh greens with avocado slices

These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are incredibly versatile – perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests with minimal effort.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using low-fat mayonnaise in the Bang Bang sauce. Fix: Stick with full-fat mayo for the proper creamy, rich consistency that won’t become watery.
• Mistake: Cutting salmon pieces too small. Fix: Aim for 1-inch cubes to prevent overcooking and ensure a tender, flaky interior.
• Mistake: Skipping the cornstarch coating before frying or air frying. Fix: A light cornstarch dredge is essential for achieving that signature crispy exterior.
• Mistake: Overcrowding the cooking vessel. Fix: Cook in a single layer with space between pieces to allow for proper air circulation and even browning.
• Mistake: Overcooking the salmon, making it dry. Fix: Cook just until the internal temperature reaches 125-130°F (51-54°C), as carryover cooking will bring it to the safe 145°F.
• Mistake: Adding sauce too early. Fix: Toss the cooked Bang Bang Salmon Bites in sauce right before serving to maintain their crispy texture.
• Mistake: Not patting the salmon dry before seasoning. Fix: Always use paper towels to remove surface moisture for better seasoning adherence and crispier results.
• Mistake: Using old or improperly stored salmon. Fix: Source fresh, bright-colored salmon and cook within 1-2 days of purchase for the best flavor and food safety.
• Mistake: Neglecting to balance the sauce flavors. Fix: Taste and adjust the sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey ratio to your preference for the perfect sweet-heat combo.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store your Bang Bang Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, place cooled salmon bites in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: For best results, reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and they are crispy and hot.

Always allow your salmon bites to cool completely before storing to maintain the best texture and ensure food safety.

Conclusion

These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a perfect quick dinner or impressive appetizer. For another delicious salmon option, try this Amazing Baked Salmon recipe. Give this recipe a try and share your results in the comments below!

Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Print Recipe

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Crispy, flavorful salmon bites topped with a spicy bang bang sauce, served with pickled cucumbers and rice. Perfect as an appetizer or main course with Asian-inspired flavors.

• Author: The Foodie Physician
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Method: Appetizer, Main Course
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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
• 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
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
• Rice, for serving
• Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Cut salmon into bite-sized cubes.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (or oven to 400°F if baking).
3. In a bowl, toss salmon bites with avocado or olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
4. Air fry salmon bites for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and crispy, shaking basket halfway through. Alternatively, bake in oven for about 10-12 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the bang bang sauce by mixing mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a bowl until smooth.
6. For pickled cucumbers, combine rice vinegar, water, sugar, and kosher salt in a bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves, then add thinly sliced cucumber and let sit for at least 10 minutes.
7. Serve salmon bites drizzled with bang bang sauce over rice, topped with pickled cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra crispiness, pat salmon bites dry before seasoning and cooking. Adjust the Sriracha in the sauce to control the spice level. Pickled cucumbers add a refreshing contrast to the spicy salmon.

Nutrition

• Calories: 354
• Sugar: 6
• Sodium: 450
• Fat: 22
• Saturated Fat: 4
• Unsaturated Fat: 18
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 10
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 30
• Cholesterol: 75

FAQs

Can I bake the Bang Bang Salmon Bites instead of pan-frying?

Yes, you can bake the salmon bites. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through. This method yields a slightly different texture but is a great alternative for these Bang Bang Salmon Bites.

What can I substitute for the mayonnaise in the Bang Bang sauce?

You can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute for mayonnaise in the sauce. These alternatives will create a slightly tangier flavor profile for your Bang Bang Salmon Bites but will still provide the creamy base needed for the signature sauce.