Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dinner that’s both easy to make and bursting with exciting flavors, look no further than Bang Bang Salmon. Tender, seasoned salmon bites get air-fried to crispy perfection, then drenched in a creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce that’s truly irresistible. This dish delivers that classic crave-worthy combo of heat, tang, and a hint of sweetness, all wrapped up in juicy bites of salmon. It’s fast, friend-approved, and perfect for impressing anyone who loves big flavor!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something truly magical about taking a handful of simple, bold ingredients and turning them into a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Each staple in this Bang Bang Salmon recipe has a delicious role to play—building layers of flavor, adding eye-catching color, and ensuring the perfect creamy, spicy finish.
- Salmon Fillets: Fresh, skinless salmon brings buttery texture and soaks up the flavors beautifully—cutting into bite-sized pieces helps create those crispy edges.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning cling to every piece and ensures a perfectly golden exterior when air-fried.
- Mayonnaise: The base of that rich Bang Bang sauce, it binds all the spices and sweet notes into creamy harmony.
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds irresistible sweetness and gentle heat for that signature balance.
- Sriracha Sauce: Cranks up the spice factor and gives the sauce a gorgeous pop of color.
- Honey: A touch of honey smooths out the heat and adds an addictive caramel note to the sauce.
- Lime Juice: Brightens up every bite with a zesty fresh kick—don’t skip it!
- Garlic Powder: Infuses warmth and savory depth without overpowering the sauce or salmon.
- Onion Powder: Adds gentle savoriness and balances the complexity of the seasonings.
- Smoked Paprika: Lends gorgeous red color and a subtle smokey aroma, amplifying the flavor of your salmon.
- Salt: Essential for waking up all the flavors in both the salmon and sauce.
- Black Pepper: Brings a mild bite and complexity to every mouthful.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who like things a little hotter—add a pinch or more to suit your taste.
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon
Step 1: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
Start by making the sauce that gives Bang Bang Salmon its flavor-packed personality! In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Keep whisking until everything is completely smooth and well blended. This is your magic drizzle that will take the salmon bites completely over the top. Bonus: you can make this sauce ahead and pop it in the fridge to deepen the flavors!
Step 2: Season the Salmon
In a large bowl, add your bite-sized salmon pieces and toss them with olive oil to give each piece a light, even coating. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne if you like things spicy. Gently toss everything together until every piece of salmon is blanketed in aromatic spices—it’ll smell unbelievably good already.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for a couple of minutes. Arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they aren’t crowded—this helps them get perfectly crisp. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and each piece has a lovely golden crust. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the salmon in batches for the best texture.
Step 4: Serve with Bang Bang Salmon Sauce
Transfer those piping-hot salmon bites onto a serving platter and drizzle generously with your creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. The contrast of crispy salmon and cool, tangy sauce is seriously out of this world. Serve immediately and watch smiles light up around the table!
How to Serve Bang Bang Salmon
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped scallions, a handful of cilantro, or even a scatter of toasted sesame seeds can really make your Bang Bang Salmon pop. The green freshness and little crunches add color and flavor contrast that make each bite extra special.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice, a simple cucumber salad, or steamed broccoli to soak up all that amazing sauce. For a lighter touch, you can plate it up on a bed of mixed greens with extra lime wedges for a refreshing kick!
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Bang Bang Salmon into crowd-pleasing party bites by threading them onto skewers or tucking the crispy pieces into warm tortillas for irresistible fish tacos. You could also spoon the salmon and sauce over sushi rice for a fantastic poke bowl twist. The fun is in the experimenting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover Bang Bang Salmon (a big “if” with how tasty it is!), store the salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This keeps the salmon from getting too soft as it sits.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked salmon pieces without sauce for up to one month. Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. I don’t recommend freezing the sauce, as it can separate—make a fresh batch when you’re ready to enjoy again.
Reheating
To crisp up leftover salmon, pop the pieces back into the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and the exterior is revived. Drizzle with cold or room temperature Bang Bang sauce just before serving to keep that signature creamy tang!
FAQs
Can I bake the salmon instead of air frying?
Absolutely! Arrange the seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly crisp on the edges.
Is Bang Bang Salmon very spicy?
The beauty of Bang Bang Salmon is that you control the heat! Use less sriracha and omit the cayenne for a milder version, or amp it up to your liking. The dish is designed to be flavorful with a pleasant kick rather than overwhelmingly hot.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, just thaw your frozen salmon fully and pat dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture before cutting and seasoning. This will help your salmon bites get that sought-after crispiness.
Is there a dairy-free option for the sauce?
You bet! Swap the regular mayonnaise for your favorite plant-based or egg-free mayo—the Bang Bang Salmon sauce will still be creamy, tangy, and delicious.
What’s the best way to reheat the sauce?
Bang Bang sauce is best served cold or at room temperature, allowing that creamy zing to balance the warm, crispy salmon. If you prefer it warmer, heat gently and briefly in the microwave, stirring every few seconds so it doesn’t separate.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to shake up your weeknight routine or impress your friends with something bold, Bang Bang Salmon is the dish to try. The flavors are playful yet sophisticated, and the recipe is friendly whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned home cook. Grab those ingredients and get ready to fall in love!
Print
Bang Bang Salmon Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Bang Bang Salmon recipe combines crispy air-fried salmon bites with a creamy and spicy Bang Bang sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy, making it a delightful dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 1½ pounds salmon fillets (skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a bowl until smooth; set aside.
- Season the Salmon: In a large bowl, toss salmon pieces with olive oil and seasonings until well coated.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook salmon bites in a single layer for 8–10 minutes or until crispy.
- Serve: Transfer cooked salmon bites to a platter and drizzle with Bang Bang sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon, Seafood Recipe, Bang Bang Sauce
