Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
These Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy around the edges, tender in the center, and coated with a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce. Made with bite-sized salmon, simple seasonings, and a quick homemade sauce, this easy salmon recipe comes together in just minutes.
Air frying gives the salmon deliciously golden edges without requiring a large amount of oil. The creamy bang bang sauce adds the perfect combination of tangy, sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making these salmon bites incredibly hard to resist.
Serve them as an easy weeknight dinner, appetizer, lunch, or protein-packed snack. They’re especially delicious over rice, alongside roasted vegetables, or tucked into bowls with fresh greens and crunchy toppings.
Why Everyone Loves Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Quick and easy: Bite-sized salmon cooks quickly, making this perfect for busy weeknights.
- Crispy and tender: The air fryer creates lightly crisp edges while keeping the salmon moist inside.
- Creamy bang bang sauce: The homemade sauce brings sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy flavors together.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday seasonings and ingredients.
- Versatile: Serve the salmon as an appetizer, main course, rice bowl topping, or salad protein.
- Better than takeout: This homemade version gives you restaurant-style flavor without much effort.
Ingredients Overview
For the Salmon
- Atlantic salmon – Center-cut salmon works especially well because it stays tender and juicy while cooking.
- Coarse sea salt – Enhances the natural flavor of the salmon.
- Garlic powder – Adds savory garlic flavor throughout the salmon bites.
- Smoked paprika – Gives the salmon a subtle smoky flavor and beautiful color.
- Black pepper – Adds mild peppery heat.
- Honey – Provides a touch of sweetness and helps the salmon develop lightly caramelized edges.
- Olive oil – Helps the seasonings coat the salmon and promotes browning.
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- Kewpie mayonnaise – Creates the creamy, rich base of the sauce.
- Rice vinegar – Adds acidity and balances the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Hot sauce or sriracha – Brings the signature spicy kick.
- Fresh garlic – Adds a punch of savory flavor.
- Light soy sauce – Gives the sauce salty, savory depth.
- Sugar – Balances the acidity and spice.
- Ketchup – Adds sweetness, tanginess, and color.
- Sea salt – Helps bring all the sauce flavors together.
Garnish
- Scallions or chives – Add freshness and a mild onion flavor.
- Sesame seeds or furikake – Add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor.
Variations
- Extra Spicy Bang Bang Salmon – Add additional sriracha or hot sauce to the bang bang sauce for more heat.
- Mild Bang Bang Salmon – Reduce the hot sauce or use sweet chili sauce for a gentler flavor.
- Honey Garlic Salmon Bites – Add extra honey and minced garlic to the salmon seasoning for a sweeter, more savory finish.
- Rice Bowl Salmon – Serve the salmon over steamed white or brown rice with cucumber, avocado, and scallions.
- Bang Bang Salmon Tacos – Add the cooked salmon to warm tortillas with cabbage, avocado, and a drizzle of sauce.
- Baked Bang Bang Salmon – Skip the air fryer and bake the salmon cubes on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
1. Prepare the Salmon
Remove the skin from the salmon if necessary and cut the fillet into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Place the salmon pieces in a large mixing bowl.
Add the salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, honey, and olive oil.
Gently toss everything together until each piece of salmon is evenly coated.
Try not to mix too aggressively because the salmon cubes can break apart easily.
2. Prepare the Air Fryer
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil.
Arrange the salmon pieces in a single layer, leaving a little space between them.
Avoid overcrowding the basket. If necessary, cook the salmon in batches so the hot air can circulate around each piece.
3. Air Fry the Salmon
Air fry the salmon at 350°F (177°C) for about 8 minutes.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of your salmon pieces and your air fryer.
When the salmon is finished, allow the basket to sit open for about 10 seconds before carefully removing the pieces. This short pause can make them easier to release without breaking.
4. Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the salmon cooks, add the Kewpie mayonnaise, rice vinegar, hot sauce or sriracha, grated garlic, soy sauce, sugar, ketchup, and salt to a bowl.
Whisk until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the spice level or sweetness according to your preference.
5. Bake Instead, If Preferred
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily bake the salmon.
Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer.
Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
6. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a serving plate.
Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side.
Finish with chopped scallions or chives and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or furikake.
Serve warm for the best texture.
Pro Tips and Cooking Secrets
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Give the salmon pieces space so hot air can circulate properly and create nicely browned edges.
Use center-cut salmon. Atlantic salmon or king salmon provides a particularly tender texture, while steelhead trout is another excellent option.
Don’t overcook the salmon. Salmon bites cook quickly because they’re cut into small pieces. Check them early to prevent them from becoming dry.
Keep the sauce separate until serving. Drizzle the bang bang sauce over the salmon just before eating so the exterior stays as crisp as possible.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over steamed jasmine or brown rice with sliced cucumber, avocado, and scallions.
- Pair with roasted broccoli, asparagus, or another favorite vegetable for an easy dinner.
- Add the salmon bites to a fresh salad with crunchy vegetables and extra bang bang sauce.
- Serve as an appetizer with the sauce on the side for dipping.
How to Store Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Allow the salmon to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store the cooked salmon in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the bang bang sauce in a separate airtight container so the salmon doesn’t become soggy.
The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
How to Reheat Bang Bang Salmon
For the best texture, reheat the salmon in an air fryer at 360°F (182°C) for approximately 6 minutes, or place it under a low oven broiler for about 3–4 minutes.
Heat only until warmed through to avoid drying out the salmon.
Can You Make Bang Bang Salmon Ahead of Time?
Yes. The bang bang sauce can be prepared several days ahead and kept refrigerated.
For the best results, cook the salmon closer to serving time and keep it separate from the sauce until you’re ready to eat.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites FAQs
How long do you air fry salmon bites?
At 350°F (177°C), 1-inch salmon cubes generally take about 8 minutes in the air fryer. Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the pieces.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, but thaw the salmon completely before cutting it into cubes. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture so the seasonings adhere properly.
What salmon is best for salmon bites?
Center-cut Atlantic salmon or king salmon works particularly well because of its rich flavor and tender texture. Steelhead trout can also be used.
Can I make the bang bang sauce less spicy?
Absolutely. Reduce the sriracha or hot sauce for a milder sauce. You can also use sweet chili sauce for a sweeter, less spicy version.
What is bang bang sauce made of?
Bang bang sauce is typically a creamy sauce made with mayonnaise and a combination of sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy ingredients. This version uses Kewpie mayonnaise, rice vinegar, hot sauce, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and ketchup.
Can I bake the salmon instead of air frying it?
Yes. Arrange the salmon cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (204°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until cooked through.
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Equipment
- large bowl
- air fryer
- large sheet pan For the oven-baked method
- parchment paper For the oven method or air fryer liner
- serving plate
Ingredients
- 1 lb center-cut Atlantic salmon fillet, skin removed and diced to 1-inch chunks
- 0.5 tsp coarse sea salt
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1-2 tsp honey, optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- olive oil spray, for the air fryer basket
- 1/2 cup Kewpie mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2-1 tsp hot sauce or sriracha, sweet chili sauce
- 0.2 oz garlic, grated or crushed, about 1 large clove
- 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce or 1 tbsp coconut aminos and omit the sugar below
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1.5 tbsp ketchup
- 2 pinches coarse sea salt
- 1 bulb scallion, chopped or chive
- toasted white and black sesame seeds or furikake
Instructions
- Remove the salmon skin (or ask your fishmonger to do this). Dice the fillet into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes and place them in a large bowl.
- Season the salmon with salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, honey, and olive oil. Gently toss until the pieces are evenly coated.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Add the salmon cubes in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 8 minutes.
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the bang bang sauce by mixing all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Once done, open the basket and wait about 10 seconds before removing the salmon. This brief pause lets the salmon contract slightly, which helps it release from the basket more easily. Carefully transfer the cubes to a serving plate so they don’t break apart.
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Arrange the salmon cubes in a single layer with a little space between each piece.
- Bake on the top rack at 400°F (204°C) for 10–12 minutes, until just cooked through.
- Garnish the salmon bites with scallions (or chives) and sesame seeds. Drizzle with some bang bang sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side. Serve warm.
