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A recipe image shows bang bang salmon bites air fried or oven baked and served on a light gray color plate.
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4.75 from 12 votes

Bang bang salmon bites recipe

Bang bang salmon bites is an easy healthy appetizer with salmon chunks seasoned and served with homemade bang bang sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time18 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air fryer bang bang salmon, bang bang salmon bites
Servings: 4 servings
Author: ChihYu Smith

Ingredients

For the salmon:

  • 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
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
  • ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1-2 tsp honey optional
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Olive oil spray for the air fryer basket

For the bang bang sauce (makes about 1 cup):

  • ½ cup kewpie mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½-1 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

Garnish:

  • 1 bulb scallion chopped or chive
  • Toasted white and black sesame seeds or furikake
US - Metric

Instructions

Prep the salmon

  • 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.
    Two images side by side: on the left, hands slice fresh salmon for bang bang salmon bites; on the right, salmon chunks in a bowl are being seasoned with spices and ready to be tossed in bang bang sauce.
  • Season the salmon with salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, honey, and olive oil. Gently toss until the pieces are evenly coated.

To air fry

  • 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.
    Two photos of Bang bang salmon bites in an air fryer basket: on the left, raw marinated salmon is spaced out; on the right, the chunks are cooked, golden, and slightly caramelized for crispy Bang bang salmon air fryer perfection.
  • 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.
    Left: A bowl with mayonnaise, minced garlic, dark paste, and a reddish sauce for bang bang sauce salmon bites. Right: A spoon drizzling creamy brown sauce into a glass jar on a light surface.
  • 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.

To bake

  • 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.

To serve

  • 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.
    A feature image shows salmon bites drizzled with bang bang sauce and served in a white plate.

Video

Notes

  • You can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or an air-fryer liner to reduce sticking. Spray the liner lightly with oil so the salmon doesn’t stick to the paper.
  • If using parchment in the air fryer, preheat first, then add the paper and place the salmon on top to weigh it down. Loose parchment can lift and burn.
  • Center-cut salmon (Atlantic or king) gives the best texture. Steelhead trout also works well.
  • The coconut aminos option is slightly sweeter and milder; adjust sugar to taste if substituting.
  • Storage & Make-Ahead: Store the salmon squares and bang bang sauce separately. The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The salmon is best enjoyed within 3 days.
  • Reheat: Reheat the salmon in the air fryer at 360°F (182°C) for about 6 minutes, or use the oven broiler on low for 3–4 minutes, just until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
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