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
Scale
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.
