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Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Season salmon cubes with spices and honey, air fry until crispy, then serve with homemade bang bang sauce, scallions and sesame seeds.

Featured in Finger Foods and Party Snacks.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:33:37 GMT
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A plate of grilled, cubed salmon garnished with green onions and a creamy sauce. Pin it
A plate of grilled, cubed salmon garnished with green onions and a creamy sauce. | zestplate.com

I came up with these salmon bites one night when I was craving takeout but had a nice piece of salmon in the fridge. Started playing around with some sauce ingredients and wow - my family went crazy for them! Now my kids actually cheer when they see salmon on the counter. My teenager who used to pick at his food practically inhales these. Even my picky mother-in-law asked for the recipe!

What Makes These So Good

You know what's great about these? They're super quick to throw together on busy nights. The outside gets all crispy and caramelized while the inside stays nice and juicy. That sauce though - it's what makes everyone come back for seconds. My neighbor keeps asking when I'm making them again says she dreams about that sauce!

Grab These From The Store

  • Salmon: Get the good stuff from the fish counter not frozen if you can
  • Seasonings: Salt garlic powder that smoky paprika and black pepper
  • Honey: Just a spoonful makes everything stick together better
  • For The Sauce: Mayo rice vinegar hot sauce (I use Sriracha) fresh garlic soy sauce and a bit of ketchup
  • The Pretty Stuff: Green onions and those little sesame seeds for sprinkling on top
A glass bowl filled with marinated salmon cubes is surrounded by lime wedges, a small bowl of mayonnaise, and a dish of dipping sauce. Pin it
A glass bowl filled with marinated salmon cubes is surrounded by lime wedges, a small bowl of mayonnaise, and a dish of dipping sauce. | zestplate.com

Let's Start Cooking

First Things First
Cut up your salmon into bite-sized chunks. Pat them dry with paper towels this helps them get nice and crispy. Then mix all those seasonings with a little honey and olive oil.
Time To Cook
You can either throw them in the air fryer or pop them in the oven. I usually use the air fryer because it's faster and who doesn't love crispy edges?
Making That Amazing Sauce
While the salmon's cooking stir together your sauce ingredients. Take a taste you might want it spicier!
Putting It All Together
Once the salmon's done drizzle that sauce all over and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Watch them disappear!
A bowl of diced, cooked salmon pieces garnished with herbs and a sprinkle of cheese, served in a light sauce, with a lemon half nearby. Pin it
A bowl of diced, cooked salmon pieces garnished with herbs and a sprinkle of cheese, served in a light sauce, with a lemon half nearby. | zestplate.com

Some Tricks I've Learned

Don't crowd your salmon pieces they need room to get crispy. If you're using the oven stick the pan on the top rack gets them nice and caramelized. And here's my secret - make extra sauce people always want more for dipping!

Mix It Up

Sometimes I add extra hot sauce when I want them spicier. My friend uses Cajun seasoning instead of the paprika says it's amazing. You can even use this same recipe with shrimp if you're not feeling salmon. The sauce is so good I've started putting it on everything!

How To Serve Them

We love these over rice with some steamed broccoli on the side. My kids like them in tacos weird right but so good! They're perfect for parties too just stick toothpicks in them. Last time I brought them to book club everyone kept hanging around the plate like hungry seagulls!

A plate of grilled salmon cubes garnished with parsley and served with a small bowl of sauce and a lime wedge. Pin it
A plate of grilled salmon cubes garnished with parsley and served with a small bowl of sauce and a lime wedge. | zestplate.com

Save Some For Later

These are best fresh but if you've got leftovers (which rarely happens at my house), keep the sauce separate and store everything in the fridge. To reheat pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes gets them crispy again. Just don't microwave them unless you like rubbery salmon!

Perfect For Any Time

These little bites have saved dinner at my house so many times! They're quick enough for busy weeknights but fancy enough for company. My daughter even requested them for her birthday dinner instead of pizza that's when I knew we had a winner!

A close-up of grilled salmon bites drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped green onions and lime wedges. Pin it
A close-up of grilled salmon bites drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped green onions and lime wedges. | zestplate.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does the salmon stick to the basket?

Salmon can stick due to its natural oils. Use oil spray and let the cooked fish rest briefly - the cold air helps it release. You can also use parchment paper liners.

→ What's the best salmon to use?

Center-cut salmon fillets like Atlantic or king salmon work best for even cooking and good texture. Steelhead trout is also a good alternative.

→ Can I make these in the oven?

Yes, bake at 400°F on the top rack for 10-12 minutes. Line the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

→ Why wait before removing the salmon?

The brief rest lets cold air shrink the meat slightly, helping it release from the basket or pan. This prevents the bites from falling apart.

→ Can I make the sauce ahead?

Yes, the bang bang sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. It actually tastes better after the flavors have time to meld.

Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Tender salmon chunks seasoned and air fried until crispy, served with creamy spicy bang bang sauce. A quick and healthy appetizer that's full of flavor.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
18 Minutes
By: Fatiha


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 lb center-cut salmon fillet, diced into 1-inch chunks.
02 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt.
03 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
04 1/4 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika.
05 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
06 1-2 teaspoons honey (optional).
07 1 tablespoon olive oil.
08 1/2 cup mayonnaise.
09 3 tablespoons rice vinegar.
10 1/2-1 teaspoon hot sauce.
11 1 large garlic clove, grated.
12 1 tablespoon coconut aminos.
13 1.5 tablespoons ketchup.
14 Scallions and sesame seeds for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Remove skin and cut into 1-inch cubes. Season with salt, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, honey and oil.

Step 02

Spray basket with oil, add salmon in batches, cook at 350°F for 8 minutes.

Step 03

Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, hot sauce, garlic, coconut aminos, ketchup and salt.

Step 04

Let cooked salmon rest 10 seconds before removing from basket.

Step 05

Transfer to plate, garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, serve with sauce.

Notes

  1. Can also be baked at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
  2. Center-cut salmon works best.
  3. Let rest briefly to prevent sticking.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer.
  • Large bowl.
  • Parchment paper (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish.
  • Eggs (in mayonnaise).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 292
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 23 g