Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are the perfect compromise between chef energy and "I hope this only takes 20 minutes" vibes. Crispy outside, tender inside, and slathered in a spicy sweet sauce that makes your taste buds do a happy jig.

If you want a sweet side idea to serve with these, check out this Blueberry Swirl Yogurt Bites recipe for a chilled dessert that plays well with bold flavors.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

• It cooks fast. Like blink-and-it-is-done fast. Perfect for weeknights or when you want to impress without sweating.
• It looks fancy even when you half-ignore the plating. People assume you slaved for hours. Let them think that.
• It is idiot proof. Even if your oven mood swings, the crisp panko and bold sauce hide a lot of sins.
• Healthy-ish? Salmon says yes. Comfort-food level? Also yes. Best of both worlds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb fresh salmon skinless and cut into bite sized cubes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil or spray for crisping
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to spice level
• 1 tsp honey optional
• Juice of ½ lime
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or cauliflower rice
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 avocado sliced
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 2 green onions sliced
• Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven or Air Fryer:
   Preheat the oven to 425°F or set your air fryer to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or spray the air fryer basket. Hot surface equals crisp bites so don’t skip this step.

2. Season the Salmon:
   Toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Keep it simple. Salt and paprika do the heavy lifting here.

3. Coat in Breadcrumbs:
   Add the panko breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl. Press each salmon cube into the panko so it gets a good crust. Use a little olive oil or spray to help the crumbs brown if you like extra crunch.

4. Bake or Air Fry:
   Place the salmon bites on the baking sheet or in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and just cooked through. Don’t overcook the salmon or it will get dry.

5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
   Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey if using, and lime juice. Taste and adjust. More sriracha for heat, more honey for sweetness, more lime for zing.

6. Assemble the Bowls:
   Spoon rice into bowls, add purple cabbage, shredded carrots, avocado slices, and green onions. Top with salmon bites and drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce. Finish with cilantro and sesame seeds. Eat immediately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven. Rookie move. Preheat or prepare to be underwhelmed.
• Overcrowding the pan. If the bites touch, they steam not crisp. Give them breathing room.
• Overbaking the salmon. Salmon goes from perfect to sad in a minute. Pull early if in doubt.
• Skimping on seasoning. Shrimp shows up to the party but wants seasoning to mingle. Same with salmon.
• Drowning everything in sauce. Yes the sauce is addictive but you want balance not a soggy mess.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No panko? Use cornflakes or crushed tortilla chips for a fun texture. I am not judging.
• Want it lighter? Swap mayo for Greek yogurt. You still get creaminess with fewer calories.
• Out of sriracha? Use any hot sauce you like or a pinch of chili flakes plus a splash of soy sauce.
• Not into rice? Try quinoa, soba noodles, or a bed of mixed greens for a salad version.
• Air fryer fan? Totally game. The air fryer gives an extra crisp edge that feels a little bougie.

My personal take? Panko plus a touch of oil is the secret to that pleasing crunch. Also lime versus no lime is a hill I will die on for flavor.

FAQ

Q. Can I use frozen salmon instead of fresh
A. Sure can. Thaw fully and pat dry before seasoning. Excess water will mess with the panko.

Q. Can I make the sauce ahead of time
A. Absolutely. The sauce gets better after a short chill. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Q. Is this kid friendly
A. Yep. Cut back on the sriracha and leave the sauce on the side. Kids love the crispy bites.

Q. Can I fry these instead of baking
A. You can shallow fry for ultra crunch but expect more cleanup. Air frying gives similar results with less oil.

Q. How spicy will this be with 1 tbsp sriracha
A. Medium spicy for most folks. Adjust up or down depending on your heat tolerance.

Q. Can I prep anything in advance
A. Yes. Chop veggies, make sauce, and bread the salmon ahead. Cook right before serving for best texture.

Q. Any tips for leftovers
A. Store salmon separately from rice and sauce if possible. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep crunch.

Final Thoughts

You just made Bang Bang Salmon Bites and you deserve a small parade. These bowls hit crunch, cream, sweet, and heat in one go. They are fast, flexible, and fancy enough to make your dinner table think you tried really hard. Now go impress someone or just yourself. You have earned it. FYI this also doubles nicely for meal prep if you like predictable deliciousness.

Conclusion

For an air fryer take on this recipe check out the helpful guide at Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – I Am Homesteader which has great timing tips. If you want a quick version that promises fast results see Easy Bang Bang Salmon Bites made in 20 minutes for inspiration. For another crispy take and different seasoning ideas peek at Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites – Foodie With Family.

Bang Bang Salmon Bites

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Pescatarian

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Description

Crispy and tender Bang Bang Salmon Bites slathered in a spicy sweet sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb fresh salmon skinless and cut into bite sized cubes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil or spray for crisping
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice level)
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Juice of ½ lime
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or cauliflower rice
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 avocado sliced
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 2 green onions sliced
• Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F or air fryer to 400°F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment or spray air fryer basket.
2. Toss salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Press each salmon cube into panko breadcrumbs for a good crust and use olive oil or spray for extra crunch.
4. Place salmon on baking sheet or in air fryer basket in a single layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes or air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden.
5. Whisk mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice to make the Bang Bang sauce.
6. Spoon rice into bowls, add cabbage, carrots, avocado, green onions, top with salmon bites, and drizzle with Bang Bang sauce. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep salmon bites crispy. Adjust sauce ingredients to your taste for more heat or sweetness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: salmon, seafood, quick recipe, easy dinner, crispy bites