Good evening, my dear friends, from a lovely Sunday evening here in Rabat! It’s just past 9:20 PM, and I’m buzzing with excitement to share one of my absolute favorite air fryer dinner recipes that truly delivers on flavor and ease: Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites! Imagine perfectly crispy, tender cubes of salmon, cooked to perfection in your air fryer, then tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that is utterly irresistible. This salmon bites recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights, balancing craveable, restaurant-style taste with incredible speed and wholesome ingredients. It’s truly a recette santé that doesn’t compromise on flavor!
Serving Versatility
These amazing air fryer bang bang salmon bites are incredibly versatile! Serve them as a fun appetizer, pile them into lettuce wraps or tacos for a vibrant fish dinner, serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa, or add them to a salad for a healthy protein boost. They are a fantastic way to enjoy salmon dishes!
Full Recipe: Quick Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 8-10 minutes
- Total time: 23-25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 450 calories per serving
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
- 1.5 lbs skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (light mayo works well too)
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha (or more, to your heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Pat the salmon cubes dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, gently toss the salmon cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned salmon cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in two batches to avoid overcrowding, which is key for how to make air fryer salmon crispy.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through, flaky, and beautifully crispy around the edges.
- Make the Sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and rice vinegar (if using) in a small bowl until smooth.
- Once the salmon is cooked, let it cool for a minute or two. Then, transfer the crispy salmon bites to a larger bowl. Pour about half to two-thirds of the bang bang sauce over the salmon and toss gently to coat. Add more sauce if desired, but be careful not to oversaturate and lose the crispiness.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This entire dish is ready in under 25 minutes, making it one of the best air fryer recipes easy for busy weeknights!
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Creates a restaurant-quality meal at home with simple, affordable ingredients.
- Big, cozy flavor: The combination of crispy salmon and the creamy, sweet and spicy sauce is absolutely irresistible.
- Nutritional value: A fantastic fish recipes healthy option, rich in omega-3s, and cooked in the air fryer for a lighter approach.
- Customizability: Easily adjust the spiciness of the sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
The popularity of “Bang Bang” sauce (a creamy, sweet, and spicy mayonnaise-based dressing) has soared in recent years, often associated with crispy seafood dishes. This recipe leverages the air fryer, a revolutionary kitchen appliance that uses circulating hot air to achieve a crispy texture similar to deep frying, but with significantly less oil. This makes for a healthier and faster preparation of these delightful salmon bites.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice Bowls: Serve your air fryer bang bang salmon bites over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice with a side of steamed broccoli or edamame.
- Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the saucy salmon into crisp butter lettuce cups and top with extra green onions and a squeeze of lime for a fresh, light meal.
- Tacos: Fill warm corn or flour tortillas with the salmon bites, shredded cabbage slaw, and a drizzle of extra sauce for a fun twist.
- Appetizer Star: Arrange the bites on a platter with toothpicks for an impressive and easy party appetizer.
Pro Tips for Success
- Pat Salmon Dry: This is crucial! Removing excess moisture from the salmon helps it achieve that coveted crispy texture in the air fryer.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Place the salmon cubes in a single layer with space between them. If the basket is too full, the salmon will steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Sauce Sparingly (at first): Toss the cooked salmon with just enough sauce to coat lightly. You can always add more or serve extra on the side. Too much sauce can quickly make the crispy coating soggy.
- Adjust Spice: Taste your Bang Bang sauce before tossing! Add more Sriracha if you like a fiery kick, or a little less for a milder flavor profile.
Storage & Reheating
Air fryer bang bang salmon bites are definitely best enjoyed immediately while they are hot and crispy. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend! Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes or in a preheated oven until just warmed through. Reheating in the microwave will make the salmon soft, not crispy. It’s best to store any extra sauce separately and add it fresh upon reheating.
Closing Paragraph
I am so incredibly excited for you to try these Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites! This recipe truly showcases how delicious and effortless easy salmon recipes can be, especially with the magic of the air fryer. It’s one of those perfect air fryer recipes healthy and satisfying enough for any night of the week. Please give this recipe a try, maybe adjust the heat to your liking, and let me know how they turned out by leaving a rating and comment below!
🎀 Final Thoughts
You guys, if you have an air fryer, you HAVE to make this! These salmon bites are beyond delicious – that crispy edge and the creamy, sweet, spicy sauce? It’s just heavenly. It feels like such a special meal, but it’s so quick. It’s become a go-to in my kitchen, and I know it will in yours too!