Thank you so much for stopping by today! I’m so excited to share a recipe that has officially earned a permanent spot in our weekly dinner rotation—Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites! They’re tender inside, crispy outside, tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything.
Whether you’re looking for a quick 30-minute dinner, a fun party appetizer, or just a new way to love salmon, these salmon bites are about to blow you away. And if you love bold, crowd-pleasing flavors with minimal effort, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss another recipe coming straight from my kitchen to yours!
What Are Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites?
These little flavor bombs start with chunks of fresh salmon, lightly seasoned and coated in a crispy outer layer, then baked (or air-fried!) to golden perfection. Once they’re crispy and hot, they get tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce made from mayo, sweet chili sauce, and a little sriracha for kick. Every bite is tender, saucy, crispy, and completely addictive!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prep and cook—ready in under 30 minutes!
- Crispy, saucy, spicy-sweet—the flavor combo is unforgettable
- Air fryer or oven-friendly
- Perfect as a fun appetizer, taco filling, or rice bowl topper
- Made with simple pantry ingredients you already have
What Does It Taste Like?
The salmon is buttery and tender inside with a light, crispy outside. The bang bang sauce is creamy and dreamy with a perfect balance of sweet heat from the chili sauce and sriracha. Together, you get bite after bite of juicy, crispy, sweet-spicy deliciousness. You seriously won’t be able to stop at just one!
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
- 1 lb salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for baking) or cooking spray (for air fryer)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
Tools You’ll Need
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet and parchment paper or air fryer
- Tongs or spatula
- Whisk (for the sauce)
Ingredient Swaps & Additions
- Swap salmon for shrimp, cod, or even chicken bites!
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter sauce.
- Add extra sriracha if you like it super spicy.
- Drizzle over rice bowls, tacos, or salads!
How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (or air fryer to 400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Toss salmon cubes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cornstarch until fully coated.
- Arrange salmon pieces on the baking sheet or air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil or spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes (or air fry for 8–10 minutes), flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Mix the bang bang sauce: Whisk mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth.
- Toss hot salmon bites gently with bang bang sauce until evenly coated.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges. Serve immediately!
What to Serve With Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Garlic Butter Roasted Sweet Potatoes – the perfect cozy, buttery side to soak up all that flavor
- Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich – creamy, cheesy goodness to balance the heat
- White Pasta with Sausage – hearty, comforting, and delicious for a full meal spread
Tips for the Crispiest Salmon Bites
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels before tossing in cornstarch.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket—space = crispiness!
- Toss in sauce just before serving to keep that beautiful crispy texture.
- Adjust sriracha depending on how spicy you want it.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Air fry or bake at 350°F until warmed through and re-crisped (avoid microwaving if you want to keep them crispy!).
- Freezer: Best fresh, but you can freeze cooked bites (sauce-free) for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, just make sure it’s completely thawed and patted very dry.
Is this very spicy?
Not overwhelmingly! It’s more sweet than spicy, but you can easily dial it up or down with the sriracha.
Can I make these ahead?
You can prep the salmon and sauce ahead, but bake and toss right before serving for best crispiness.
Can I air fry them?
Absolutely—they get even crispier in the air fryer!
Let’s Get Crispy on Pinterest!
Made these bang bang beauties? I NEED to see your saucy, crispy creations!
📸 Tag me over on Pinterest @TheKitchenJoyy and save this recipe to your Quick Dinners or Seafood Favorites boards!
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are the perfect bite-sized dinner idea! Tender chunks of salmon are baked (or air-fried!) until crispy, then tossed in a sweet, spicy bang bang sauce for an easy, flavor-packed meal. They’re light, bold, and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights, casual get-togethers, or a fun twist on fish night!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baked, Air-Fried
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
-
1 lb salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
-
1/2 cup cornstarch
-
1/2 tsp garlic powder
-
1/2 tsp paprika
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1/4 tsp black pepper
-
2 tbsp olive oil (for baking) or cooking spray (for air frying)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
-
1/2 cup mayonnaise
-
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
-
1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
-
1 tsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
Optional Garnishes:
-
Chopped green onions
-
Toasted sesame seeds
-
Lime wedges
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F (or air fryer to 400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Toss salmon pieces in a bowl with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until fully coated.
-
Arrange the salmon bites on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil or spray lightly with cooking spray.
-
Bake for 10–12 minutes (or air fry for 8–10 minutes), flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
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Whisk together the bang bang sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
-
Toss the hot salmon bites gently with the bang bang sauce until fully coated.
-
Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges before serving!
Notes
-
Pat salmon dry with paper towels for extra crispy results!
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Adjust the amount of sriracha depending on your spice preference.
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Don’t overcook the salmon—it should stay juicy inside!
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Toss the salmon with sauce just before serving to keep them crispy.
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These are amazing over rice bowls, in tacos, or simply by themselves with toothpicks for an appetizer.
Keywords: Bang Bang Salmon Bites
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