Description
Bang Bang Salmon Bites are a flavorful and crispy appetizer featuring bite-sized pieces of salmon seasoned with smoked paprika and spices, air fried to perfection, and drizzled with a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce made from mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. This quick and easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tang, ideal for entertaining or a delicious snack.
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1 ½ 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, for extra heat)
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
- Prepare The Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, honey, and lime juice until well combined. Set aside for later use.
- Prepare The Salmon Bites: In a large bowl, combine the bite-sized salmon pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking.
- Cook The Salmon Bites: Arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. You may need to cook in batches. Air fry the salmon bites for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even cooking, until the salmon is cooked through and crispy on the edges.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon bites to a serving platter and drizzle generously with the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Serve any remaining sauce on the side as a dip.
Notes
- Ensure the salmon pieces are similar in size for even cooking.
- Adjust sriracha amount in the sauce to control the heat level.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to retain crispiness.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Leftover Bang Bang sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
