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If you love bold flavors paired with crispy, perfectly cooked seafood, then the Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to snack or appetizer. These salmon bites are tender and flaky on the inside with a crunchy panko coating, all complemented by a spicy, sweet bang bang sauce that delivers an irresistible kick. And the best part? Using an air fryer means you get all that deliciousness with less oil, making this dish feel both indulgent and a bit lighter. It’s quick to prepare, easy to make, and utterly crave-worthy every single time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: just a handful of everyday ingredients that come together to create an explosion of taste and texture. Each component, from the flaky salmon to the seasoned panko crust and the creamy spicy sauce, plays a key role in making these bites so unforgettable.
- Salmon fillet: Fresh, skinless, and cut into bite-sized cubes to ensure quick cooking and maximum flavor in each piece.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick perfectly to the salmon for that crispy crust.
- Eggs: Beaten to bind the flour and breadcrumbs, creating a crunchy outer layer.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Provide a light, airy crunch that’s essential for the perfect texture.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory note that enhances the overall flavor.
- Paprika: Gives a mild smoky warmth and a lovely color to the crust.
- Salt and Black pepper: The basics that season the salmon and breadcrumbs for balanced taste.
- Cooking spray: Ensures crispiness without excess oil, perfect for air frying.
- Mayonnaise: The rich, creamy base for the bang bang sauce that balances out the spice.
- Sweet chili sauce: Brings sweetness with a spicy echo, essential for that bang bang flavor.
- Sriracha: Adjusted to taste, it adds heat and that unmistakable tangy punch.
- Honey (optional): Provides a touch of natural sweetness to mellow the sauce if you prefer.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon Bites
Start by patting your salmon cubes dry with a paper towel. Removing excess moisture is key to getting that crispy coating because moisture can cause sogginess when cooking.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station
Create three separate bowls to make the coating process seamless: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed together with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This setup will help you get a beautifully coated bite every time.
Step 3: Coat the Salmon
Dip each salmon cube first in the flour, then the egg, and finally in the seasoned panko crumbs, pressing lightly so the breadcrumbs adhere well. This triple coating ensures a crunchy crust that locks in the fish’s moisture.
Step 4: Preheat and Arrange in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes to get it nice and hot. Then, place the salmon bites in a single layer inside the basket without overlapping. This spacing is crucial for even cooking and crispiness.
Step 5: Cook the Salmon Bites
Lightly spray the bites with cooking spray to help them develop a beautiful golden crust. Cook them for 7-10 minutes, turning halfway through so each side becomes crispy and uniform in color. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing at this point!
Step 6: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the salmon is cooking, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. This sauce is the heart of the Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe, delivering that perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and spice.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Drizzle the bang bang sauce generously over the hot salmon bites, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce to dip into all that heat and sweetness with each bite. Optionally, sprinkle garnishes like chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top for extra flair and crunch.
How to Serve Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
Garnishes
To really amp up the presentation and flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds over the bites. These add a lovely fresh crunch and visual pop that complements the dish beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve the salmon bites alongside a light cucumber salad, jasmine rice, or steamed broccoli to keep the meal balanced and satisfying. These sides help tone down the heat from the spicy sauce and offer refreshing contrasts.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, arrange the salmon bites on a platter with small bowls of bang bang sauce for dipping. Alternatively, serve them atop crisp lettuce leaves or inside lettuce cups for a fun, handheld “taco” style bite that’s perfect for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep that crispy crust intact, avoid piling them up and try to lay them in a single layer if possible.
Freezing
These salmon bites don’t freeze as well once cooked because the panko crust can lose its crispiness. If needed, you can freeze the raw, coated salmon bites on a parchment-lined tray first, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen, increasing air fry time slightly.
Reheating
To reheat leftover salmon bites, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. This quick blast of heat refreshes their crispiness and warms the salmon just right without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, you can use thawed frozen salmon cubes, but make sure they are completely dry before coating to ensure the crust adheres well and crisps up nicely.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these bites in a conventional oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The texture will be similar, though air frying gives a slightly crispier result with less oil.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The sauce has a mild to moderate kick depending on how much sriracha you add. You can adjust the quantity to suit your heat tolerance or even omit it for a milder version.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep the crunch while making it safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, these salmon bites reheat well and can be prepared in advance, making them an excellent option for quick lunches or snacks during the week.
Final Thoughts
The Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe is a total game changer if you’re craving something crispy, zesty, and downright addictive. It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but impressive enough to wow guests at any gathering. Give it a try and watch these little bites vanish fast—they’re just that good!
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Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy, flavorful Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites coated in seasoned panko and served with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. This quick and easy recipe uses the air fryer for a perfectly golden crust and tender salmon inside, making it a delicious appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1 lb (450 g) salmon fillet, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon Bites: Pat the salmon cubes dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture, ensuring they will crisp nicely during cooking.
- Set up a dredging station: Arrange three bowls: Bowl 1 with flour; Bowl 2 with beaten eggs; Bowl 3 with panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Salmon: Dredge each salmon cube first in flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to make sure the coating sticks well.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3 to 5 minutes to get it ready for cooking.
- Arrange the salmon bites: Place the coated salmon cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap for even air circulation and crisping.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the salmon bites with cooking spray to help them brown beautifully.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Cook the salmon bites for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to achieve an even golden and crispy exterior.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth to create a creamy and spicy dipping sauce.
- Serve: Drizzle the Bang Bang Sauce over the crispy salmon bites or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
- Optional Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions or sesame seeds over the salmon bites for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Patting the salmon dry is essential to achieve a crispy coating.
- You can adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to control the spice level.
- Use cooking spray to help the coating crisp without additional oil.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp.
