Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Try these easy Bang Bang Salmon Bites; crispy, flavorful salmon pieces tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce and served with fresh cucumber salad. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner or snack!

Paired with a refreshing cucumber salad and optional rice or toppings, this bang bang salmon bites recipe is light, satisfying and comes together in under 30 minutes; no fancy equipment needed aside from your trusty air fryer!

If you tried this recipe and love it, check out this Salmon Caesar Salad, my Greek Salmon Salad or this Miso Salmon, next.

Ingredients

Here are a couple of notes on some of the ingredients you’ll need. The full list can be found in the recipe card.

Salmon fillets: Choose firm, bright salmon fillets and cut them into even, bite-sized pieces. Avoid overly thin tail pieces.
Olive oil: A light coating of olive oil helps the salmon bites brown and keeps them juicy. You don’t need much; just enough to help the spices stick.
Garlic powder: This seasoning adds a savoury backbone without burning like fresh garlic can at high heat.
Smoked paprika: You’ll love its gentle smokiness and warmth, giving the salmon a slightly charred, restaurant-style flavour without a grill.
Flaky salt: Flaky salt seasons the salmon without overpowering it and adds little pops of texture. If using fine salt instead, reduce the amount slightly to avoid oversalting.
Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of the bang bang sauce. Full-fat mayo gives the richest flavour, but a lighter or avocado-oil mayo works well if you prefer.
Thai sweet chili sauce: This adds sweetness, tang, and mild heat, giving bang bang sauce its signature flavour.
Sriracha: Adjust to taste depending on your spice tolerance.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed is best here.
Cucumber: English or Persian cucumbers work especially well, as they’re less watery and have fewer seeds.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Check out this simple guide to making these bang bang salmon bites:

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha and lime juice until smooth.

Step 2: Add the salmon bites to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle over the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper and optional chili.

Step 3: Toss until the salmon is evenly coated.

Step 4: Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in the basket and spray with olive oil. Cook for 10 minutes, tossing halfway. Serve with the sauce and cucumber salad.

Hint: Cook the salmon bites in small batches to avoid overcrowding and steaming.

salmon bites with cucumbers in a bowl with chopsticks

Substitutions

This base recipe for bang bang salmon bites is pretty flexible. Here’s how to tweak the recipe:

Salmon: Swap the salmon for peeled prawns or bite-sized chicken breast or thighs. Adjust cooking time as needed; prawns cook quickly, while chicken may need a few extra minutes.
Mayonnaise: Use thick Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce, or choose a dairy free or avocado oil mayo to suit dietary needs.
Thai sweet chili sauce: If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, mix honey with a little chili sauce or sriracha.

Variations

Here are a few ideas for variations of this recipe:

Extra crispy bang bang salmon: Toss the salmon bites with 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca starch before air frying for an even crispier exterior.
Mango bang bang salmon: Add finely diced fresh mango to the bang bang sauce or serve mango slices on the side.
Bang bang salmon bowls: Serve the salmon over rice or cauliflower rice with cucumber salad, shredded carrots, avocado and a drizzle of extra sauce.

bang bang salmon bites in a bowl with cucumbers on the side

Equipment

You’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools to make this recipe: an air fryer for perfectly crispy salmon bites, a mixing bowl for seasoning the salmon, a small bowl and whisk for the bang bang sauce and tongs or a spatula for easy tossing and serving.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; the sauce keeps for 3 days refrigerated.

Top tip

For extra crispy salmon bites, pat the salmon dry with paper towel before seasoning and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

FAQ

Can I make this without an air fryer?

Yes! Bake the salmon bites on a lined tray at 220°C (425°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway until cooked through and lightly crisp.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these: