Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe

Introduction

Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites offer a quick and flavorful way to enjoy salmon with a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish, these bites are crispy on the outside and tender inside, thanks to the air fryer. The homemade bang bang sauce ties everything together for a delicious meal in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds salmon, about 4 filets, skin 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon bites and gently toss to coat evenly.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until well combined.
4. Step 4: Pour half of this bang bang sauce into another bowl for serving. Toss the coated salmon bites in the remaining sauce until they are well coated.
5. Step 5: Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
6. Step 6: Air fry the salmon for 4-5 minutes. Flip each piece and cook an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F and is crispy on the edges.
7. Step 7: Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a plate. Drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce and garnish with chopped chives before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a healthier sauce alternative, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.
• To avoid crowding in the air fryer and ensure crispiness, cook the salmon bites in batches.
• If you prefer baking, place the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Toss with bang bang sauce after baking.
• Adjust the amount of Sriracha to control the heat level of the sauce.
• Serve over steamed rice or alongside a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispiness or in a microwave if preferred. Keep the bang bang sauce separate and drizzle over salmon just before serving to avoid sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat dry the salmon before cutting and seasoning to achieve the best texture and even cooking.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake the salmon bites in a preheated 400°F oven on a parchment-lined sheet for about 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then toss with the bang bang sauce before serving.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe

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4.7 from 127 reviews

These Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites offer a quick and flavorful way to enjoy salmon with a creamy, sweet, and mildly spicy bang bang sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, the salmon is seasoned, air-fried to a crispy finish, and served drizzled with a delicious homemade sauce garnished with fresh chives.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salmon

• 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

Bang Bang Sauce

• 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

Instructions

1. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for quick and even cooking of the salmon bites.
2. Season Salmon: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon bites and gently toss so each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
3. Prepare Bang Bang Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth and well combined.
4. Coat Salmon with Sauce: Pour half of the bang bang sauce into another bowl and reserve it for later. Toss the seasoned salmon bites in the remaining sauce to coat them evenly.
5. Air Fry Salmon Bites: Place the salmon bites in an even layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the pieces. Air fry for 4-5 minutes, then carefully flip the bites and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F and edges are slightly crispy.
6. Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a serving plate. Drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce and garnish with chopped chives for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

• Oven Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place seasoned salmon cubes on the sheet without overlapping. Bake for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Toss baked salmon bites in bang bang sauce before serving. Do not apply sauce before baking to avoid burning.
• If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• To avoid overcrowding in the air fryer, cook the salmon bites in batches for optimal crispness.
• Adjust Sriracha amount in the sauce according to your preferred spice level.
• Serve with rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad to make a complete meal.

Keywords: Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites, salmon recipe, bang bang sauce, air fryer salmon, easy salmon bites, appetizer, seafood recipe