Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Sweet & Spicy)

🥣 Introduction

These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are everything you want in a quick seafood dish: juicy, tender salmon coated with a lightly crisp outer layer, then smothered in a sweet, spicy, creamy bang bang sauce that’s positively addictive. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or party appetizers. The best part? It only takes about 20 minutes to make!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet or air fryer
• Parchment paper (if baking)
• Small whisk or fork
• Tongs or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

For the Salmon:

• 1 lb salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp lime juice

👩‍🍳 Directions

🔪 Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

• Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and cut into bite-sized chunks.
• Transfer the pieces to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
• Toss well to coat all pieces evenly.

🔥 Step 2: Cook the Salmon

Air Fryer Method (Recommended for crispiness):

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
• Arrange salmon bites in a single layer in the basket.
• Cook for 7–9 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Oven-Baked Method:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange salmon on the sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until crispy and cooked through.

Pan-Sear Method:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear salmon bites for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

🥣 Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy.

🧁 Step 4: Toss or Drizzle

• Add cooked salmon bites to a large bowl.
• Pour the bang bang sauce over the top and gently toss to coat.
• Alternatively, drizzle the sauce over plated salmon for a cleaner presentation.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 2–4 people
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: In air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5–6 minutes. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispiness.
• Freezing: Not recommended, as the sauce and salmon texture will suffer after thawing.

🥄 Variations

• Panko-Crusted Salmon Bites: Toss salmon in a light panko coating before air frying or baking for an extra crunch.
• Spicy Bang Bang: Add more sriracha or crushed red pepper for a real kick.
• Sweet Coconut Twist: Mix in a little coconut milk to the sauce and serve with jasmine rice.
• Asian-Inspired Bowl: Serve salmon bites over rice with steamed edamame, avocado, and sesame seeds.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes. Thaw it completely and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.

2. What’s the best substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce?

Mix 2 tbsp honey with 1 tsp chili flakes and 1 tbsp rice vinegar for a quick DIY version.

3. Is there a mayo-free sauce option?

Try Greek yogurt as a substitute or a blend of avocado and lime juice.

4. Can I make this with other proteins?

Yes! Try shrimp, tofu, or chicken using the same seasoning and sauce.

5. What can I serve this with?

Great over jasmine rice, quinoa, noodles, or in a wrap.

6. Can I double the sauce?

Absolutely — it stores well in the fridge for up to a week.

7. How do I know when the salmon is done?

It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Internal temp: 145°F.

8. Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Yes, with a keto mayo and sugar-free chili sauce, it works well.

9. Can I prep this ahead?

Yes! Season and store raw salmon in the fridge, and mix the sauce ahead of time.

10. Can I make this kid-friendly?

Use less sriracha or skip the cayenne to reduce spice level.

🏁 Conclusion

These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a guaranteed flavor bomb. They combine the best textures and tastes — crisp outside, tender inside, and coated in that sweet-heat creamy sauce everyone loves. If someone in your life thinks they don’t like seafood, let this be the recipe that changes their mind. Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat every week!

Adam

Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Sweet & Spicy)

These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are everything you want in a quick seafood dish: juicy, tender salmon coated with a lightly crisp outer layer, then smothered in a sweet, spicy, creamy bang bang sauce that’s positively addictive. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or party appetizers. The best part? It only takes about 20 minutes to make!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Salmon:

• 1 lb salmon fillets skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional for extra heat
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp lime juice

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet or air fryer
• Parchment paper (if baking)
• Small whisk or fork
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

🔪 Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and cut into bite-sized chunks.
2. Transfer the pieces to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
3. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
4. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly.

🔥 Step 2: Cook the Salmon

1. Air Fryer Method (Recommended for crispiness):
2. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
3. Arrange salmon bites in a single layer in the basket.
4. Cook for 7–9 minutes, shaking halfway through.
5. Oven-Baked Method:
6. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Arrange salmon on the sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
9. Pan-Sear Method:
10. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
11. Sear salmon bites for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

🥣 Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy.

🧁 Step 4: Toss or Drizzle

1. Add cooked salmon bites to a large bowl.
2. Pour the bang bang sauce over the top and gently toss to coat.
3. Alternatively, drizzle the sauce over plated salmon for a cleaner presentation.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: In air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5–6 minutes. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispiness.

Freezing: Not recommended, as the sauce and salmon texture will suffer after thawing.

🥄 Variations
Panko-Crusted Salmon Bites: Toss salmon in a light panko coating before air frying or baking for an extra crunch.

Spicy Bang Bang: Add more sriracha or crushed red pepper for a real kick.

Sweet Coconut Twist: Mix in a little coconut milk to the sauce and serve with jasmine rice.

Asian-Inspired Bowl: Serve salmon bites over rice with steamed edamame, avocado, and sesame seeds.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes. Thaw it completely and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.

2. What’s the best substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce?
Mix 2 tbsp honey with 1 tsp chili flakes and 1 tbsp rice vinegar for a quick DIY version.

3. Is there a mayo-free sauce option?
Try Greek yogurt as a substitute or a blend of avocado and lime juice.

4. Can I make this with other proteins?
Yes! Try shrimp, tofu, or chicken using the same seasoning and sauce.

5. What can I serve this with?
Great over jasmine rice, quinoa, noodles, or in a wrap.

6. Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely — it stores well in the fridge for up to a week.

7. How do I know when the salmon is done?
It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Internal temp: 145°F.

8. Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes, with a keto mayo and sugar-free chili sauce, it works well.

9. Can I prep this ahead?
Yes! Season and store raw salmon in the fridge, and mix the sauce ahead of time.

10. Can I make this kid-friendly?
Use less sriracha or skip the cayenne to reduce spice level.

🏁 Conclusion
These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a guaranteed flavor bomb. They combine the best textures and tastes — crisp outside, tender inside, and coated in that sweet-heat creamy sauce everyone loves. If someone in your life thinks they don’t like seafood, let this be the recipe that changes their mind. Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat every week!