Description

Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy, perfectly cooked salmon pieces coated in a creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy bang bang sauce. This quick and easy recipe combines the convenience of the air fryer with bold flavors, making it a delicious appetizer or main dish that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon Bites

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

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (about 200°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the salmon bites.
Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a large bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper thoroughly.
Season Salmon Bites: Add the salmon pieces to the bowl with the seasoning mixture and gently toss them so each bite is evenly coated with the spices and oil.
Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth and well combined.
Coat Salmon in Sauce: Set aside half of the bang bang sauce for serving later. Toss the seasoned salmon bites in the remaining half of the sauce to coat them evenly.
Cook Salmon in Air Fryer: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, place the coated salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then carefully flip each piece and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes more. Continue until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F to ensure it is cooked through but still tender.
Finish with Reserved Sauce: After cooking, transfer the salmon bites to a serving plate and drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top as a fresh, mild garnish and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crispiness.
You can adjust the amount of Sriracha based on your desired spice level.
Check internal temperature with a food thermometer to ensure salmon is safely cooked.
Salmon bites are best served immediately to enjoy their crispy texture.
If skin-on salmon is used, the cooking time may vary slightly.
Leftover bang bang sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and used as a dip or spread.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: Asian Fusion, American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 6-7 bites)
Calories: 360 kcal
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 620 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: salmon bites, bang bang sauce, air fryer salmon, easy seafood recipe, spicy mayo sauce, air fryer appetizer