Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe

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Plated Bang Bang Salmon Bites drizzled with creamy sauce and garnished with green onions

Dinner

Looking for a quick, delicious dinner or appetizer with a spicy kick? These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and drizzled with the creamiest sweet-and-spicy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or crowd-pleasing party snacks, they come together in under 30 minutes. Think: bold flavor, no fuss. Plus, they’re baked or air-fried — no messy deep frying needed! Whether you’re meal-prepping or hosting, this dish brings serious flavor with minimal effort. Let’s get cooking!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Salmon Bites

There’s so much to love about these Bang Bang Salmon Bites! They’re perfect when you want something that feels indulgent but is actually pretty light and healthy. You get all the crispy, saucy goodness of takeout — without the guilt or grease. Plus, they’re super versatile: serve them over rice, in lettuce wraps, or on skewers for a fun appetizer. The sauce? Creamy, spicy, and totally addictive. And the best part? Everything cooks up in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. This one’s a guaranteed hit with the whole family!

Ingredients

You don’t need much to make these crispy, saucy salmon bites! Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this bold, flavorful dish to life.

Fresh ingredients for homemade Bang Bang Salmon Bites on a cutting board
Just a few everyday ingredients are all you need to create this flavor-packed salmon dish!

For the Salmon Bites:

  • 1 lb fresh salmon, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional, for brightness)

Optional Garnishes:

  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are quick, easy, and mess-free. Let’s walk through it step-by-step:

Step-by-step cooking process of Bang Bang Salmon Bites from raw to crispy and sauced
From seasoning to saucing — these salmon bites come together fast with bold, irresistible flavor!

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease your air fryer basket.

Step 2: Season the Salmon

In a bowl, toss your salmon cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

Step 3: Coat the Bites

Add the cornstarch to a shallow bowl. Lightly dredge each salmon cube in the cornstarch, tapping off any excess.

Step 4: Bake or Air Fry

  • Oven method: Place salmon on the baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
  • Air fryer method: Air fry in a single layer for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.

Step 5: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness to your liking.

Step 6: Toss and Serve

Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the hot salmon bites or toss them gently to coat. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings as a main dish or 6–8 servings as an appetizer — perfect for sharing or saving as leftovers.

Total Time Breakdown:

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20–25 minutes

Tips and Variations

Want to make your Bang Bang Salmon Bites your own? Here are a few fun and tasty ways to customize this recipe:

Tips:

  • Pat the salmon dry before seasoning to help the coating stick and get crispy.
  • If using frozen salmon, make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking.
  • For extra crispiness, spray the salmon lightly with oil before baking or air frying.

Variations:

  • Make it low-carb: Skip the cornstarch and pan-sear the salmon in a bit of oil.
  • Spice it up: Add more sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.
  • Swap the protein: Try shrimp, tofu, or chicken instead of salmon!
  • Serving ideas: Serve over jasmine rice, in tacos, or in lettuce cups for a fresh twist.

Storage

Got leftovers? No problem! These Bang Bang Salmon Bites store beautifully and reheat like a dream.

How to Store:

  • Refrigerator: Place cooled salmon bites in an airtight container. Store for up to 3 days.
  • Bang Bang sauce: Keep any extra sauce in a separate container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat:

  • Air Fryer or Oven: Reheat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until warm and crispy.
  • Microwave: Reheat in 30-second bursts, but note they’ll lose some crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes! Just thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning and coating to get the best texture.

Is Bang Bang sauce spicy?

It has a mild kick from the sriracha, but you can adjust the heat by adding more or less to taste.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. Cook the salmon bites and refrigerate. Reheat and toss with sauce just before serving.

What’s the best side dish for these?

Rice, Asian slaw, roasted veggies, or even a simple green salad all work beautifully.

Can I pan-fry the salmon instead of baking or air frying?

Yes! Just cook in a non-stick pan with a little oil until golden on all sides.

Is there a dairy-free version?

Totally! Just use a dairy-free mayo for the sauce.

Can I use another fish besides salmon?

Sure — cod, halibut, or even shrimp work great in this recipe.

These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are everything you want in a quick, crave-worthy meal — crispy, saucy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for family, prepping lunches, or wowing guests at your next gathering, this recipe is a total win. Best of all? It’s easy, customizable, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Craving more tasty recipes? Follow @butteryrecipes on Pinterest and Facebook for daily inspiration!

You Might Also Like These Recipe

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2. Spicy Mexican Corn Bites
Another bite-sized appetizer with bold flavors and a spicy twist — perfect for game day or as a party platter sidekick!

3. Cod in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
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Print
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Plated Bang Bang Salmon Bites drizzled with creamy sauce and garnished with green onions

Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside — these Bang Bang Salmon Bites are bold, spicy, and totally addictive. A perfect quick dinner or fun appetizer ready in under 30 minutes!

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb fresh salmon, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
  • Optional: Chopped green onions, sesame seeds, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or air fryer to 390°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease air fryer basket.
  2. In a bowl, toss salmon cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Add cornstarch to a shallow bowl and dredge each salmon cube lightly, tapping off excess.
  4. For oven: Bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway. For air fryer: Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
  5. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice to make sauce.
  6. Drizzle sauce over hot salmon bites or toss to coat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, pat salmon dry before seasoning and spray with oil before cooking. Serve over rice, in tacos, or lettuce cups for fun variations.

  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Air Fryer, Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: salmon, bang bang sauce, appetizer, spicy, air fryer, easy dinner

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