These Bang Bang Salmon Bites deliver a perfect balance of sweet heat and crispy texture in just 15 minutes. Using a quick cornstarch coating creates a shatteringly crisp exterior that holds up to the creamy sauce without getting soggy. I make this whenever I need a high-protein dinner that feels like takeout but cooks faster than delivery.
The Secret to Perfect Crispy Salmon Bites
The key to replicating that restaurant-style crunch lies entirely in the coating technique. While flour can become gummy when mixed with salmon moisture, cornstarch creates a barrier that crisps immediately upon hitting the heat. This method ensures that your Bang Bang Salmon Bites remain crunchy even after being tossed in the creamy, spicy sauce. I found that a light coating of oil before adding the starch helps the seasoning adhere better than an egg wash, keeping the final dish lighter.
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- The Secret to Perfect Crispy Salmon Bites
- Shopping List for This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
- How to Make These Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Top Tip
- Ways to Customize This Dish
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- What to Serve With This Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Why I Created This Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Common Questions
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Related
- Pairing
Shopping List for This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
Fresh Salmon Fillets You want skinless salmon fillets for this recipe. If you buy skin-on, use a sharp knife to remove the skin before cubing. Center-cut fillets offer the most uniform thickness, which ensures even cooking for every bite.
Cornstarch This is the non-negotiable ingredient for texture. It creates a light, tempura-like crust that absorbs the sauce while staying crisp.
Mayonnaise Use full-fat mayonnaise for the base of the sauce. It provides the necessary creaminess to balance the heat of the chili sauce.
Sweet Chili Sauce This adds the signature sweetness and mild tang. Look for a bottle with visible chili flakes for the best aesthetic and flavor profile.
Sriracha This brings the heat. You can adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance, but don't skip it entirely as it provides the necessary vinegary kick.
Garlic Powder and Smoked Paprika These dry seasonings flavor the fish itself so it isn't bland under the sauce.
Green Onions or Chives Fresh greenery cuts through the richness of the sauce and adds a sharp, fresh finish.
See the Recipe Card Below for Exact Amounts
How to Make These Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Prepare the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks properly. Cut the fish into uniform 1-inch cubes so that they cook at the exact same rate.
Season and Coat
Place the cubes in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and cornstarch over the fish, tossing until the Bang Bang Salmon Bites are evenly coated and look dry and tacky rather than wet.
Air Fry the Salmon
Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring plenty of space between pieces for air circulation. Cook at 400°F (200°C) until the edges are golden brown and the exterior feels firm to the touch.
Mix the Bang Bang Sauce
While the salmon cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a medium bowl. The sauce should turn a pale, creamy orange color and have a consistency thick enough to coat a spoon without running off instantly.
Combine and Serve
Transfer the cooked, crispy salmon directly into the bowl with the sauce. Toss gently with a silicone spatula just until the Bang Bang Salmon Bites are coated, then garnish immediately with chopped green onions.
Serve immediately while the crust is still hot and crispy.
Top Tip
- Don't overcrowd the basket If the salmon pieces touch during cooking, they will steam instead of roast. Cook in two batches if necessary to ensure that hot air can circulate around each of the Bang Bang Salmon Bites.
- Uniformity is key Take an extra minute to cut your salmon into identical 1-inch cubes. If you have varied sizes, the smaller pieces will dry out before the larger ones are cooked through.
- Sauce at the last second The cornstarch crust is durable, but no crust stays crispy forever under a creamy sauce. Drizzle or toss the salmon right before plating to maintain that contrast between the crunchy exterior and tender interior.
- Check for doneness visually The salmon is done when the cubes are opaque and flake easily when pressed with a fork. Overcooked salmon becomes dry and chalky, so pull them out the moment they hit that golden color.
Ways to Customize This Dish
Spicy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
If you prefer more heat, increase the Sriracha by a tablespoon or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cornstarch mixture. The creamy base can handle a significant amount of spice without becoming inedible.
Lighter Yogurt Version
For a lower-calorie option, swap half or all of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. This adds a tangier profile to the sauce and increases the protein content, though the mouthfeel will be slightly less rich than the traditional version.
Bang Bang Shrimp Swap
This exact sauce and cooking method works perfectly for shrimp. Simply reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, as shrimp cook significantly faster than salmon cubes.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftover Bang Bang Salmon Bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the crust will soften significantly the longer it sits in the sauce.
Reheating Method
Do not microwave these, as the salmon will become rubbery and the oil will separate. Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to revive some of the texture, though they are decidedly best eaten fresh.
Meal Prep Note
If meal prepping, store the crispy salmon and the sauce in separate containers. Reheat the salmon first, then toss with the cold sauce just before eating to preserve the quality of the dish.
What to Serve With This Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Bang Bang Salmon Bowl
Serve these bites over fluffy jasmine rice or sushi rice with sliced cucumbers and avocado. This turns the appetizer into a complete, satisfying meal that mimics a deconstructed sushi roll.
Roasted Broccoli or Asparagus
The richness of the sauce pairs perfectly with charred, green vegetables. Roast the vegetables in the oven or air fryer while you prep the salmon for an easy, low-carb dinner.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Serve the Bang Bang Salmon Bites alongside salty, crispy potatoes. The creamy sauce doubles as an excellent dip for the potatoes, tying the whole plate together.
Why I Created This Bang Bang Salmon Bites
I developed this recipe after a craving for the famous Bonefish Grill appetizer struck on a busy weeknight. I wanted the flavor of that addictive, creamy, spicy sauce but didn't want the hassle of deep-frying or the heaviness that comes with it. After testing a few batters, I found that a simple cornstarch dredge in the air fryer mimicked the crunch of deep-frying surprisingly well.
In my first few attempts, I used flour, but the result was a bit doughy. Switching to cornstarch made the exterior glass-like and shattered satisfyingly when bitten. Now, my family asks for these Bang Bang Salmon Bites almost weekly, and I love that I can get the whole meal on the table before the rice cooker even finishes.
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Common Questions
Can I use frozen salmon for this?
Yes, but it must be fully thawed and patted extremely dry before cooking. Excess moisture from frozen fish can prevent the Bang Bang Salmon Bites from crisping up properly.
Is the sauce very spicy?
The sauce has a mild to medium kick. The sweetness from the chili sauce and honey balances the Sriracha, making it accessible for most palates, but you can reduce the hot sauce if you are sensitive to heat.
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes, you can bake the coated salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for 10-12 minutes. The result won't be quite as crispy as the air fryer version, but it is still delicious.
Can I freeze the cooked bites?
I do not recommend freezing this dish once cooked and sauced. The texture of the mayonnaise-based sauce breaks when thawed, and the coating will become mushy.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoyed these flavorful salmon bites, you should definitely try my fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad for a light side dish. For another high-protein option, the Avocado Chicken Salad is a lunch favorite that keeps well in the fridge. And if you're looking for crowd-pleasing party food, my French Dip Sliders are always a hit with guests.
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Pat salmon cubes dry with paper towels, then toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Arrange salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not touch.
- Air fry for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a medium bowl while the salmon cooks.
- Toss the cooked salmon gently in the sauce just before serving and garnish with chives.
Nutrition
Notes
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Pairing
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