Easy Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Air Fryer & Oven Dinner Recipe

Craving a meal that’s equal parts crispy, creamy, and flavor-packed? Then this Easy Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Air Fryer & Oven Dinner Recipe is just what you need. In less than 30 minutes, you can transform fresh salmon into golden, crunchy bites topped with a sweet and spicy Bang Bang sauce. This is the perfect easy recipe for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or even a healthy meal prep option.

This recipe highlights how homemade salmon bites can be just as indulgent as restaurant-style appetizers, while staying wholesome and budget-friendly. Plus, it’s versatile cook them in your air fryer for quick crispiness or in the oven for a family-style dinner tray.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What makes this recipe irresistible is the flavor fusion of crispy salmon and creamy Bang Bang sauce. Each bite balances crunch with tangy, slightly spicy creaminess. If you’ve ever had Bang Bang shrimp, imagine that magic, but with the richness of salmon.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, with minimal prep.

• Flexible Cooking: Works in both the air fryer and oven.

• Family-Friendly: Kids love the crispy bites, while adults appreciate the bold flavors.

• Versatile Serving: Enjoy as a main dinner, appetizer, or even in wraps and rice bowls.

This dish truly proves that gourmet flavors don’t need to take hours in the kitchen.

What Makes It Healthy & Special

Unlike deep-fried options, these salmon bites are made with air fryer or oven baking methods meaning less oil but still plenty of crunch. Salmon itself is a superfood, loaded with:

• Omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.

• High-quality protein to keep you full longer.

• Vitamins D & B12 for energy and immune support.

The Bang Bang sauce, while creamy, can be easily customized use Greek yogurt or light mayo for a healthier twist, or adjust the spice level for your taste. This recipe delivers both comfort food indulgence and nutritional balance in one.

Ingredients

For the Salmon Bites

• 1 large salmon fillet (about 450 g / 1 lb), cut into bite-sized cubes

• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 cup (120 g) panko breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes for extra crunch)

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Bang Bang Sauce

• ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)

• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)

• 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)

• 1 tsp lime juice

Optional Add-ins

• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (for garnish)

• Sesame seeds (to sprinkle on top)

Substitution Ideas:

• Use avocado oil spray instead of regular oil for lighter crisping.

• Replace salmon with shrimp, cod, or chicken bites.

Instructions / Method

Preparing the Salmon Bites

1. Cut the Salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Pro Tip: Drying ensures coating sticks better.

2. Season: Lightly season salmon pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Making the Bang Bang Sauce

3. Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until creamy.

4. Taste & Adjust: Add extra chili sauce for sweetness or more sriracha for heat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Coating the Salmon

5. Prepare Breading Stations: Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.

6. Coat Salmon: Dip each cube first in flour, then egg, then panko. Make sure each piece is fully coated for maximum crispiness.

Cooking in Air Fryer or Oven

Air Fryer Method

7. Preheat: Set air fryer to 200°C / 400°F.

8. Arrange Salmon: Place salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil.

9. Cook: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Salmon should be golden and crispy.

Oven Method

10. Preheat Oven: Heat to 220°C / 425°F.

11. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line with parchment paper and arrange coated salmon bites in a single layer. Spray or brush lightly with oil.

12. Bake: Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Look for crispy edges and opaque centers.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crispiness

13. Don’t overcrowd the basket or tray space ensures air circulation.

14. Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular for extra crunch.

15. For extra crispy bites, double coat (egg + panko again before baking).

Troubleshooting

• Too soggy? Make sure salmon is fully patted dry before coating.

• Bland sauce? Adjust chili sauce and lime for balance.

• Dry salmon? Don’t overcook pull out once salmon flakes easily.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store cooled bites in airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Freeze uncooked, coated bites for up to 1 month.

• Reheat: Air fry or bake at 180°C / 350°F for 5-6 minutes to regain crispiness.

Serving Suggestions

• Drizzle Bang Bang sauce over bites just before serving.

• Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

• Serve with steamed rice, salad, or inside tortillas as wraps.

Recipe Information Box

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

• Total Time: 25 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Notes / Tips

Variations

• Make it spicier with extra sriracha or red chili flakes.

• Go low-carb by using almond flour and crushed pork rinds.

• Try protein swaps like shrimp, cod, or chicken.

Substitutions

• Dairy-Free: Use vegan mayo.

• Oil-Free: Bake without oil spray (though crispiness may reduce).

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Prep salmon cubes and sauce a day ahead.

• Store sauce separately in fridge for up to 5 days.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Overcooked salmon → reduce cooking time by 2 minutes.

• Burnt coating → check oven temp accuracy.

• Sauce too thick → thin with lime juice or a splash of water.

Tools & Equipment

• Air fryer or baking sheet

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk

• Kitchen thermometer (optional but ensures salmon reaches 63°C / 145°F).

Serving Ideas

• Pair with garlic rice, cucumber salad, or coleslaw.

• Serve as game-day appetizer with toothpicks.

• Pair with a crisp white wine or lemonade.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 320

• Protein: 28 g

• Fat: 15 g

• Carbs: 14 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sodium: 420 mg

Conclusion

These Easy Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are proof that you can create a restaurant-style dish at home in under 30 minutes. Whether you make them in the air fryer or oven, they’ll turn out deliciously crunchy and coated in a creamy, tangy sauce.

Easy Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Air Fryer & Oven Dinner Recipe

Crispy outside, tender inside these salmon bites are unbeatable. Perfect for both air fryer and oven cooking. Healthy twist on the classic Bang Bang style. Works for dinner, appetizers, or meal prep. Customizable with spice, protein swaps, and sauces.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Seafood Recipes

Cuisine: American, Fusion, Mediterranean

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Salmon Bites
• 1 large salmon fillet about 450 g / 1 lb, cut into bite-sized cubes
• ½ cup 60 g all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 2 large eggs beaten
• 1 cup 120 g panko breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes for extra crunch)
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• For the Bang Bang Sauce
• ½ cup 120 g mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to taste
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Optional Add-ins
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish
• Sesame seeds to sprinkle on top
• Substitution Ideas:
• Use avocado oil spray instead of regular oil for lighter crisping.
• Replace salmon with shrimp cod, or chicken bites.

Method

 

1. Preparing the Salmon Bites
2. Cut the Salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Pro Tip: Drying ensures coating sticks better.
3. Season: Lightly season salmon pieces with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes.
4. Making the Bang Bang Sauce
5. Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until creamy.
6. Taste & Adjust: Add extra chili sauce for sweetness or more sriracha for heat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
7. Coating the Salmon
8. Prepare Breading Stations: Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.
9. Coat Salmon: Dip each cube first in flour, then egg, then panko. Make sure each piece is fully coated for maximum crispiness.
10. Cooking in Air Fryer or Oven
11. Air Fryer Method
12. Preheat: Set air fryer to 200°C / 400°F.
13. Arrange Salmon: Place salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil.
14. Cook: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Salmon should be golden and crispy.
15. Oven Method
16. Preheat Oven: Heat to 220°C / 425°F.
17. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line with parchment paper and arrange coated salmon bites in a single layer. Spray or brush lightly with oil.
18. Bake: Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Look for crispy edges and opaque centers.

Notes

Variations

• Make it spicier with extra sriracha or red chili flakes.
• Go low-carb by using almond flour and crushed pork rinds.
• Try protein swaps like shrimp, cod, or chicken.

Substitutions

• Dairy-Free: Use vegan mayo.
• Oil-Free: Bake without oil spray (though crispiness may reduce).

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Prep salmon cubes and sauce a day ahead.
• Store sauce separately in fridge for up to 5 days.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Overcooked salmon → reduce cooking time by 2 minutes.
• Burnt coating → check oven temp accuracy.
• Sauce too thick → thin with lime juice or a splash of water.

Tools & Equipment

• Air fryer or baking sheet
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Kitchen thermometer (optional but ensures salmon reaches 63°C / 145°F).

Serving Ideas

• Pair with garlic rice, cucumber salad, or coleslaw.
• Serve as game-day appetizer with toothpicks.
• Pair with a crisp white wine or lemonade.