Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a simple recipe that’ll take your weeknight dinners from womp womp to WOWZERS. Air fry (or bake) bite-sized pieces of salmon, toss them in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce, and enjoy endless ways of serving them up, from salads to tacos and meal bowls
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The salmon recipe I just can’t stop making.
When Ben and I made a video for this bang bang salmon recipe to share on Instagram, we couldn’t stop eating it. And—oops—we realized that we ate it all before I even got any still photographs to share on the blog.
But that’s okay, because it gave me an excuse to make it again. And again. And honestly, I just can’t stop making it because it is SO good!
- The recipe starts with my Air Fryer Salmon Bites as the base, which are crispy, flaky, and cooked to perfection. I season them with honey and soy sauce for a sweet-and-savory combo that’s irresistible.
- And then there’s the bang bang sauce, which is adapted from my Bang Bang Shrimp. Rather than using mayo, my version uses Greek yogurt as a healthy swap. (See why I’ve been eating it all the time lately?!)
- Put them together for succulent little salmon bites you can eat as-is, pile into meal bowls, toss with a salad, or even make into tacos (a la my Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos). This recipe is versatile!
As if all of this isn’t reason enough to sing its praises, the whole shebang(bang) takes just around 10 minutes to make. Ten! Minutes!
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Salmon. Use center-cut salmon and remove the skin. I like to ask the seafood counter to do this for me.
- Olive Oil. Avocado oil or another oil you like to use for air frying would also work. This helps the exterior of the bang bang salmon bites get crispy and golden.
- Honey. Or swap in maple syrup if you prefer.
- Soy Sauce. I use low-sodium soy sauce. For a gluten-free version, use tamari.
- Seasonings. Paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Bang Bang Sauce. Whisk together Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Easy!
- For Serving. White or brown rice, edamame, avocado, cucumber, green onion, and/or cilantro.
What to Serve With Bang Bang Salmon
While I made this into more of a bang bang version of a Salmon Bowl, you can also serve the salmon as a main dish with a side. Here’s some inspiration.
- Fried Rice. Like my Easy Egg Fried Rice or Cauliflower Fried Rice for a lower carb version.
- Salad. This Asian Cucumber Salad is always a favorite, as is this Asian Cabbage Salad.
- Veggie Sides. Roasted Asparagus would be delish, especially with a little of the extra bang bang sauce drizzled over the top.
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Video
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Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 1 pound center cut salmon skin removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ⅓ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons Thai-style sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha plus additional to taste
For Serving:
- White or brown rice
- Edamame
- Diced avocado
- Thinly sliced cucumber
- Thinly sliced green onion
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes. Place in a medium bowl. Top with the oil, honey, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.
- Add the salmon bites to the air fryer, ensuring they are not touching—do not overlap the cubes; you may need to cook in 2 batches. Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through (no need to flip). The salmon should flake easily with a fork and register 145°F on an instant read thermometer.
- Mix together the Bang Bang sauce ingredients: Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the heat as desired.
- Serve the salmon with rice, edamame, avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of bang bang sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro. DEVOUR!
Notes
- NOTES: Adapted from my Air Fryer Salmon Bites and Bang Bang Shrimp. Nutrition is calculated without the serving suggestions
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover bang bang salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
- TO REHEAT: Gently reheat the salmon in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat until just warmed through.
- TO MAKE IN THE OVEN: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Instead of air frying, arrange the salmon bites on the sheet so they are not touching. Bake at 425°F, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (145°F internally), about 8 minutes. For crispier edges, broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.
I wasn’t sure at first if my kids would enjoy the sauce, but they actually loved it! Salmon stayed juicy, and the coating crisped up nicely in the oven. The only thing I might do differently next time is double the sauce because we ended up using every bit of it. Thanks
Yay! Love to hear it! Thank you Amber!
This was a really fun way to switch up how we eat salmon at home. The bites were easy to eat and perfect for dipping. I love the sauce too and it is definitely the highlight for me. It was sweet, a little spicy, and creamy. I think it would pair well with a simple rice bowl too. I will try that next time! Thank you, Erin!
So glad you enjoyed the salmon, Kelsey! Thank you!
I loved how quick this was to prepare! The salmon bites baked up perfectly in the air fryer, and the outside had a nice little crisp. The sauce was mild, so if you prefer a bigger kick, I’d suggest adding more sriracha or hot sauce. Anyway, thanks for sharing the recipe, I enjoyed it!
Made this for dinner last night and it was amazing! Definitely will be added to my weekly rotation
So glad to hear, thank you Gillian!
I love salmon, and this was a delightfully different way to make it! It came together easy and was so good. I doubled the sauce, and I’m glad I did. It was the perfect complement to the salmon, brown rice and veggies we had on the side. Thank you for another simple, yet delicious, recipe!
So glad to hear, Nena! Thank you!
Amazing! I’ve made this weekly for 7 weeks in a row now.
Makes me so happy to hear, Rachel! Thank you!
These salmon bites make one heck of a stellar dish. Super easy and our family loves it. Actually, my teenager said she would eat salmon everyday if we made it this way or your air fryer salmon recipe. For real. Both recipes are perfect. The bang-bang sauce for this is wrong in an incredibly right way. LOL!
LOL! Glad it was a hit, JoLayne! Thank you!
Where has this recipe been all my life?!?! Absolutely phenomenal! I’ve never had salmon so juicy and tender- it just melted in your mouth. My husband wants this again tomorrow for dinner! Ty!
So glad you found it and enjoyed it Laura! Thank you!