Bang Bang Salmon (10-Minute Recipe!)

    Bang Bang Salmon Bites

    A bowl of bang bang salmon, avocado, edamame, cucumber, and rice, with chopsticks picking up a salmon piece.

    Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a simple recipe that’ll take your weeknight dinners from womp womp to WOWZERS. Air fry (or bake) bite-sized pieces of salmon, toss them in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce, and enjoy endless ways of serving them up, from salads to tacos and meal bowls

    A bowl of bang bang salmon, avocado, edamame, cucumber, and rice, with chopsticks picking up a salmon piece.

    The salmon recipe I just can’t stop making.

    cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

    When Ben and I made a video for this bang bang salmon recipe to share on Instagram, we couldn’t stop eating it. And—oops—we realized that we ate it all before I even got any still photographs to share on the blog.

    But that’s okay, because it gave me an excuse to make it again. And again. And honestly, I just can’t stop making it because it is SO good!

    • The recipe starts with my Air Fryer Salmon Bites as the base, which are crispy, flaky, and cooked to perfection. I season them with honey and soy sauce for a sweet-and-savory combo that’s irresistible.
    • And then there’s the bang bang sauce, which is adapted from my Bang Bang Shrimp. Rather than using mayo, my version uses Greek yogurt as a healthy swap. (See why I’ve been eating it all the time lately?!)
    • Put them together for succulent little salmon bites you can eat as-is, pile into meal bowls, toss with a salad, or even make into tacos (a la my Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos). This recipe is versatile!

    As if all of this isn’t reason enough to sing its praises, the whole shebang(bang) takes just around 10 minutes to make. Ten! Minutes!

    A bowl with bang bang salmon, sliced cucumber, avocado, edamame, rice, cilantro, and a drizzle of creamy dressing.

    Key Ingredients

    You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.

    • Salmon. Use center-cut salmon and remove the skin. I like to ask the seafood counter to do this for me.
    • Olive Oil. Avocado oil or another oil you like to use for air frying would also work. This helps the exterior of the bang bang salmon bites get crispy and golden.
    • Honey. Or swap in maple syrup if you prefer.
    • Soy Sauce. I use low-sodium soy sauce. For a gluten-free version, use tamari.
    • Seasonings. Paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
    • Bang Bang Sauce. Whisk together Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Easy!
    • For Serving. White or brown rice, edamame, avocado, cucumber, green onion, and/or cilantro.

    What to Serve With Bang Bang Salmon

    While I made this into more of a bang bang version of a Salmon Bowl, you can also serve the salmon as a main dish with a side. Here’s some inspiration.

    • Fried Rice. Like my Easy Egg Fried Rice or Cauliflower Fried Rice for a lower carb version.
    • Salad. This Asian Cucumber Salad is always a favorite, as is this Asian Cabbage Salad.
    • Veggie Sides. Roasted Asparagus would be delish, especially with a little of the extra bang bang sauce drizzled over the top.
    A bowl of bang bang salmon, rice, avocado, cucumber, edamame, and sauce, garnished with cilantro.
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    A bowl of bang bang salmon, avocado, edamame, cucumber, and rice, with chopsticks picking up a salmon piece.
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    Bang Bang Salmon Bites

    Bang bang salmon bites are ready in just 10 minutes! Seasoned salmon bites cooked in the air fryer and coated with bang bang sauce, they're succulent and flavorful!
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Asian
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 2 -3 servings
    Calories 484kcal
    Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated

    Ingredients

    For the Salmon:

    • 1 pound center cut salmon skin removed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons honey
    • 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    For the Bang Bang Sauce:

    • ⅓ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
    • 3 tablespoons Thai-style sweet chili sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Sriracha plus additional to taste

    For Serving:

    • White or brown rice
    • Edamame
    • Diced avocado
    • Thinly sliced cucumber
    • Thinly sliced green onion
    • Chopped fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    • Cut the salmon into 1-inch cubes. Place in a medium bowl. Top with the oil, honey, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.
      Cubed raw salmon with seasoning in a glass bowl on a gray textured surface.
    • Add the salmon bites to the air fryer, ensuring they are not touching—do not overlap the cubes; you may need to cook in 2 batches. Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through (no need to flip). The salmon should flake easily with a fork and register 145°F on an instant read thermometer.
      Chunks of seasoned salmon arranged inside an air fryer basket, ready to be cooked.
    • Mix together the Bang Bang sauce ingredients: Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the heat as desired.
      Small bowl of yogurt topped with sriracha and sweet chili sauce and a spoon, on a light textured surface.
    • Serve the salmon with rice, edamame, avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of bang bang sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro. DEVOUR!

    Notes

    • NOTES: Adapted from my Air Fryer Salmon Bites and Bang Bang Shrimp. Nutrition is calculated without the serving suggestions
    • TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover bang bang salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
    • TO REHEAT: Gently reheat the salmon in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat until just warmed through.
    • TO MAKE IN THE OVEN: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Instead of air frying, arrange the salmon bites on the sheet so they are not touching. Bake at 425°F, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (145°F internally), about 8 minutes. For crispier edges, broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1(of 2) | Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Potassium: 1204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 589IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 2mg

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