These Creamy Sweet & Spicy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a flavor explosion, combining tender, flaky fish with a sauce that is tangy, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. Air-fried to perfection, these bite-sized nuggets are crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside.
Drizzled with extra homemade Bang Bang sauce and garnished with fresh chives, this dish is a quick and impressive dinner that tastes like your favorite restaurant appetizer.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A dynamic mix of creamy richness from the mayo, sweet chili heat, and savory garlic-paprika seasoning on the salmon.
- Texture: The salmon bites develop a slightly crisp edge in the air fryer while remaining buttery soft inside, all coated in a velvety sauce.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves simple mixing and air frying.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need an air fryer to cook the salmon quickly and evenly. Two mixing bowls are required: one for tossing the raw salmon and one for mixing the sauce. The ingredients rely on fresh salmon fillets and a collection of pantry condiments like sweet chili sauce and Sriracha to create the signature flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon – You need about 1 ½ pounds of salmon fillets, skin removed. Cutting them into 1-inch bites ensures they cook quickly and have plenty of surface area for the sauce.
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce – This provides the sticky sweetness and mild chili flavor that defines “Bang Bang” sauce.
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base of the sauce. Full-fat mayo gives the best richness.
- Sriracha – Adds the spicy kick. You can adjust the amount (2 teaspoons is standard) to suit your heat tolerance.
- Honey – Adds an extra layer of sweetness and helps the sauce glaze the salmon as it cooks.
- Olive Oil – Used to coat the salmon and help the dry spices adhere before the sauce is added.
- Spices – A blend of paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper seasons the fish perfectly.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Protein – This sauce and method work perfectly with shrimp or cubed chicken breast (adjust cooking times accordingly).
- Garnish – Toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions are great alternatives to chives.
- Spice Level – If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the Sriracha or omit it entirely. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How to Make Creamy Sweet & Spicy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
- Season Salmon: 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 them evenly in the spiced oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth and well combined.
- Sauce the Salmon: Pour half of the Bang Bang sauce into a separate bowl and reserve it for serving. Pour the remaining half over the seasoned salmon bites and toss gently to coat.
- Air Fry: Working in batches, place the salmon bites in a single, even layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Do not overcrowd, or they won’t crisp up). Air fry for 4-5 minutes. Flip the bites and cook for 4-5 minutes more on the opposite side, or until the salmon is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate and drizzle generously with the reserved Bang Bang sauce. Garnish with fresh chives.
Pro Tip: Make sure to reserve half the sauce before tossing it with the raw fish. This prevents cross-contamination and gives you plenty of fresh, safe sauce for dipping or drizzling at the table.
Recipe Tips
- Skin Removal: It is easiest to remove the skin from the salmon fillet before cutting it into cubes. Use a sharp knife and slide it between the flesh and skin.
- Batch Cooking: Air fryers rely on air circulation. If you stack the salmon bites, they will steam instead of roast. Cook in two batches if necessary.
- Don’t Overcook: Salmon bites cook very fast. Check them after the first flip; depending on the size of your cubes, they might be done sooner than you think.
FAQs
- Can I bake these in the oven? Yes! Arrange the sauced bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Is this spicy? It has a sweet-heat profile. The mayo and honey balance the chili sauce well, making it family-friendly for those who like a little flavor kick.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or air fryer.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice Bowl: Serve over steamed jasmine rice with cucumber slices and avocado.
- Tacos: Tuck the salmon bites into warm tortillas with slaw for amazing fish tacos.
- Appetizer: Serve with toothpicks for a party snack.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Sauce: You can mix the Bang Bang sauce a few days in advance and keep it in the fridge.
- Salmon: It is best to cut and season the salmon right before cooking to keep it fresh and firm.
Creamy Sweet & Spicy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
These Creamy Sweet & Spicy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a flavor explosion, combining tender, flaky fish with a sauce that is tangy, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. Air-fried to perfection, these bite-sized nuggets are crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside. Drizzled with extra homemade Bang Bang sauce and garnished with fresh chives, this dish is a quick and impressive dinner that tastes like your favorite restaurant appetizer.
Ingredients
The Salmon & Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets (approx. 4 fillets), 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
The Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
Season Salmon
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the salmon bites and toss gently until they are evenly coated in the spiced oil.
Make the Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth.
Reserve & Coat
Crucial Safety Step: Pour half of the prepared sauce into a separate small bowl and set it aside for serving (this keeps it safe from raw fish). Pour the remaining half of the sauce over the seasoned salmon bites and toss gently to coat.
Air Fry
Working in batches if necessary, place the salmon bites in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
Cook
Air fry for 4–5 minutes. Flip the bites and cook for another 4–5 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and slightly crispy on the edges (internal temp 140–145°F).
Serve
Transfer the cooked salmon to a serving plate. Drizzle generously with the reserved fresh Bang Bang sauce and garnish with chopped chives.
Notes
Skin Removal: It is much easier to skin the salmon fillet before cutting it into cubes. Use a sharp knife to slide between the flesh and the skin.
Oven Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, arrange the sauced bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Don’t Overcook: Salmon bites cook very quickly. Check them after the first flip; depending on size, they may be done sooner than you think.
Spice Control: The sauce has a sweet-heat profile. For a milder version, omit the Sriracha. for more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or extra Sriracha.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: bang bang salmon, air fryer salmon bites, spicy salmon recipe, sweet chili sauce, 20 minute dinner, seafood appetizer, easy fish recipes
