If you’re on the hunt for a quick and delicious meal that packs a punch of flavor, you’re going to adore these Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites. Perfect for impressing dinner guests or just treating yourself after a long day, these bites bring a delightful crunch and a zesty Bang Bang sauce that will leave you craving more. Not to mention, with the magic of an air fryer, they come together in no time! Speaking of quick meals, if you love salmon, you might want to try my Grilled Garlic Lime Salmon for a taste that’s equally irresistible.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, and here’s why:
- Quick and Easy: With only 15 minutes of cook time, you’ll have dinner ready faster than you can say “takeout.”
- Flavorful Sauce: The Bang Bang sauce combines creamy, sweet, and spicy for a taste explosion that perfectly complements the salmon.
- Healthier Cooking Method: Using an air fryer means you get that crispy texture without a ton of oil, making it a lighter choice for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Heat: Easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less Sriracha, making it a perfect dish for the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skins removed, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (232 g) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (132 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Chives, for garnish
Step-by-step instructions
Prep the salmon
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. This allows it to be hot and ready, ensuring the best crispy texture.
- In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat and cook
- Add the salmon bites to the bowl and gently toss them to coat thoroughly with the seasoning mix.
- In another bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. This is your irresistible Bang Bang sauce.
- Reserve half of the Bang Bang sauce in a separate bowl for serving later. Toss the salmon bites in the remaining sauce until evenly coated.
Air frying
- Lay the salmon bites in an even, single layer in your air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd them to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your basket, you might need to cook in batches.
- Air fry them for 4-5 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
Serve
- Transfer the salmon bites to a serving plate, drizzle them generously with the reserved Bang Bang sauce, and sprinkle with chopped chives for garnish.
Recipe tips & variations
- Spice it up: If you’re a spice lover, increase the Sriracha in the sauce or consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Sauce on the side: Serve extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping. It’s great with other appetizers too!
- Herbs and Citrus: A squeeze of fresh lime or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro can add a new twist to the final dish for a fragrant, zesty finish.
Storage & reheating
To Store: Keep any leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To Reheat: Warm them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain their crispy texture, or use a conventional oven.
FAQs
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before using.
You can substitute with another hot sauce like Tabasco or even some red pepper flakes to taste.
Yes! Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to ensure it crisps up nicely.
They pair wonderfully with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or even some quick-cooked rice for a complete meal.
Related recipes
Have extra potatoes? Dice ‘em up and turn them into Benigni’s Potato Soup or creamy Baked Potato Soup the next day.
Want something chunkier? You might be into these KFC Potato Wedges—crispy and nostalgic.
Follow us for more drool-worthy comfort food on Facebook.
Print
Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Quick and delicious Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites with a flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skins removed, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (232 g) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (132 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the salmon bites and gently toss to coat thoroughly with the seasoning mix.
- In another bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey.
- Reserve half of the Bang Bang sauce in a separate bowl for serving later. Toss the salmon bites in the remaining sauce until evenly coated.
- Lay the salmon bites in an even, single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry for 4-5 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
- Transfer the salmon bites to a serving plate, drizzle with reserved Bang Bang sauce, and sprinkle with chopped chives for garnish.
Notes
- If you’re a spice lover, increase the Sriracha in the sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Serve extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
- A squeeze of fresh lime or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro can add a new twist to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg