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 kind of food that makes you look like you know what you are doing while actually doing very little. Crispy outside, succulent inside, with a spicy creamy sauce that slaps in the best way. If you want a quick dinner that feels fancy without drama, you are in the right place.

Want a slightly different take while you sip your beverage of choice? Check out this Bang Bang Salmon Bites recipe for extra inspiration.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Listen up. This recipe ticks a lot of boxes. It is fast, forgiving, and delivers big flavor with minimal effort. You do not need to be a chef to pull this off. It is idiot proof, even I did not mess it up the first time. The salmon stays tender because you only cook bite sized pieces, and the panko gives you that satisfying crunch without being greasy. The sauce? Totally addictive. Sweet, spicy, creamy, and tangy all at once.

Also, bowls make everything feel balanced and healthy. Rice, veggies, a few toppings, and boom you have a meal that looks like it took hours. Want to try a chicken version later because variety is life? There is a great spin on that too if you are curious about other bang bang bowl options right here.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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

Yes these are straightforward. Swap what you must and keep the fun.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: Set oven to 425 F or preheat your air fryer to 400 F. Hot environment equals crispy goodness. Give it a few minutes so it actually reaches temp.

2. Season the Salmon: Toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder smoked paprika salt and pepper. You want an even coating so every bite has flavor.

3. Coat in Breadcrumbs: Pour panko into a shallow bowl and add the olive oil or spray. Press each salmon cube into the panko until coated. This is where the crunch lives.

4. Bake or Air-Fry: Spread bites on a parchment lined baking sheet if using oven bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through and crisp on the outside. If using an air fryer cook for 8 to 10 minutes flipping once. Watch them closely near the end.

5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon cooks whisk together mayonnaise sweet chili sauce sriracha honey and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness to your liking. Pro tip don’t skip the lime it brightens everything.

6. Assemble the Bowls: Start with rice then add cabbage carrots avocado and green onions. Top with the crispy salmon and drizzle a generous amount of bang bang sauce. Finish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking you do not need to preheat the oven rookie move. That crisp comes from heat ready to pounce.
• Using wet salmon pieces when coating the panko. Pat them dry or the crumbs will slide off like they are escaping.
• Overcrowding the pan or basket. If pieces touch they steam and become sad instead of crunchy. Give them space.
• Drowning the bowl in sauce at first. Start with less and add more. You can always add more but you cannot un-sauce.
• Skimping on seasoning. Salmon likes a little attitude. Salt and spices make it sing.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Want to switch things up? No sweat.

• Swap panko for crushed tortilla chips for a fun twist. IMO this adds a taco vibe.
• No mayo fan? Use Greek yogurt or a mix of yogurt and a little tahini for creaminess.
• Short on time? Toss the salmon in cornstarch instead of panko and pan fry for 4 minutes to get a quicker crust.
• Want a vegetarian option? Try crispy tofu cubes prepared the same way. They soak up the sauce like it is their job.
• Prefer chicken? Use boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bites and follow the same steps. If you want more chicken inspo check this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for ideas.

FAQ

Q Why is my panko not crisping up in the oven?
A Is your oven actually hot or did you forget to preheat? Make sure the panko has oil and give the bites space on the sheet. Hot air is the secret.

Q Can I use frozen salmon?
A Sure you can but thaw it fully and pat dry first. Frozen then soggy leads to sad crunch outcomes.

Q How spicy will this be with 1 tbsp sriracha?
A Mild to medium depending on your sriracha. Want less heat use 1/2 tbsp and add honey for balance. Want nuclear go wild.

Q Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A Absolutely. It keeps for a few days in the fridge. Stir before serving. FYI the lime flavor gets even better after a bit of chill time.

Q Can I air fry everything at once like rice veggies and salmon?
A Rice no please. Veggies you can air fry but they have different cook times. Cook the salmon separately and toss the veggies briefly if you want char.

Q How do I reheat leftovers without losing crisp?
A Oven or air fryer at 350 F for 5 to 8 minutes. Microwave will make it soggy. Trust me.

Q Is this healthy?
A It can be. Salmon gives you protein and omega 3s and you control the sauce. Swap mayo for yogurt and use cauliflower rice if you want lighter.

Final Thoughts

You did it. You made something quick tasty and a little bit showy without sweating over it. These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are perfect for weeknights date nights or whenever you want to impress without a kitchen meltdown. Remember to give the salmon room to breathe on the pan and do a taste check on the sauce. You are in control of the heat and sweet levels so tweak to suit your mood. Go ahead and experiment a little you will probably end up making this again next week.

Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it.

Conclusion

If you want another take focused on air fryer technique check out this helpful guide Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – I Am Homesteader.

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 outside, succulent inside, these Bang Bang Salmon Bites are coated in panko and served with an addictive spicy creamy sauce, perfect for a quick yet fancy meal.

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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
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil or spray for crisping
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice level)
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or cauliflower rice
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: Set the oven to 425°F or preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Season the Salmon: Toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for an even coating.
3. Coat in Breadcrumbs: Pour panko into a shallow bowl, add the olive oil or spray, and coat each salmon cube with panko.
4. Bake or Air-Fry: Spread bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or air-fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once.
5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Adjust to taste.
6. Assemble the Bowls: Start with rice, then add cabbage, carrots, avocado, and green onions. Top with crispy salmon and drizzle with Bang Bang sauce. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Notes

Ensure to preheat your cooking method to achieve the best crispiness. Substitute as needed for dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking/Air Frying
• Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: salmon, bang bang, appetizer, quick dinner, seafood, Asian cuisine