Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – Crispy, Creamy, Spicy, and Addictively Delicious

There are recipes that are good… and then there are recipes that make you stop mid-bite, look around the room, and say, “Oh wow.” These air fryer bang bang salmon bites belong firmly in the second category. Crispy, melt-in-your-mouth salmon cubes paired with a creamy, sweet, spicy bang bang sauce—this is the kind of quick weeknight dish that tastes restaurant-quality but comes together with almost no effort.

If you’re a salmon lover, this recipe will become an instant staple. And if you’re someone who wants to love salmon but sometimes finds it bland or too plain, this is the dish that will convert you. The bang bang sauce alone is worth diving into a bowl of these bites—creamy mayo, sweet chili sauce, a hit of sriracha, and a bright squeeze of lime. When it coats hot, crispy salmon straight from the air fryer, something magical happens.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Start with fresh salmon, cut into chunks. Toss the pieces lightly in cornstarch, garlic, salt, and pepper—creating an ultra-thin coating that crisps beautifully in the air fryer. The corners turn golden and crunchy, while the inside stays buttery tender. You get that perfect contrast between the crispy outside and juicy inside.

Next comes the star of the dish: the bang bang sauce. This sauce has become wildly popular over the last decade, first appearing in fusion restaurants and quickly becoming a sensation online. It’s velvety, sweet, tangy, and spicy, all at once. And it’s perfect with salmon because it balances the richness of the fish with bold flavor and creaminess. Salmon + bang bang sauce is a match made in heaven.

Air frying salmon has another advantage: it cooks fast. We’re talking 6–8 minutes total. No oven preheating, no long cooking times, and no mess. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or quick lunches. The air fryer gives the salmon that lightly crisp texture that would otherwise take a pan-fry or broiling—but with far less oil.

One of the greatest things about these salmon bites is how versatile they are. You can serve them as a main dish, an appetizer, a taco filling, bowl topping, or even on skewers for a party. Want a quick lunch? Throw them on a salad. Craving something cozy? Serve them over rice. Want a high-protein snack? Eat them on their own with extra sauce. There are endless ways to enjoy them, and none of them require much effort.

Let’s dive deeper into why this recipe works so well and how you can customize it to fit whatever flavor mood you’re in.

---

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs fresh salmon, skin removed and cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• Optional: 1 teaspoon honey for a sweeter version

Garnishes:

• Green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Lime wedges

---

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Pat salmon cubes dry with paper towels.
3. In a bowl, toss salmon with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil until evenly coated.
4. Arrange salmon cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
5. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy on the outside and tender inside.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice.
7. Toss salmon bites in the bang bang sauce or drizzle it over the top.
8. Garnish with green onions, lime, or sesame seeds.
9. Serve immediately for best texture.

---

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh salmon if possible. Frozen works too—just thaw fully before cubing.
• Dry your salmon well. Moisture prevents crisping.
• Cornstarch = crispiness. Don’t skip it!
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Toss or drizzle? Tossing gives fully coated bites; drizzling keeps them crispier.
• Want extra crunch? Air fry an additional 1–2 minutes.

---

Variations

• Honey Bang Bang Salmon: Add a tablespoon of honey to the sauce.
• Spicy Version: Increase sriracha or add red pepper flakes.
• Bang Bang Salmon Bowls: Serve over rice with cucumbers, avocado, and cabbage.
• Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or a big salad.
• Crispy Panko Version: Coat salmon in panko + cornstarch before air frying.
• Bang Bang Tacos: Add salmon to tortillas with slaw and lime.

---

Serving Suggestions

Serve your salmon bites with:

• jasmine rice or coconut rice
• cilantro lime rice
• roasted vegetables
• crunchy cabbage slaw
• steamed broccoli
• quinoa bowls
• noodles
• tortillas for tacos

They’re also great on salads with a drizzle of extra sauce.

---

Storage Information

Refrigerator: Store up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon bites up to 2 months (freeze sauce separately).
Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes for best crispiness.
Meal Prep Tip: Keep sauce off until right before serving.

---

FAQ

Can I bake them instead of air frying?
Yes—bake at 425°F for 10–12 minutes.

Is this recipe spicy?
Mild to medium. Adjust sriracha to taste.

Can I use salmon with skin on?
Yes, but remove the skin before cubing.

Can I use another fish?
Cod, halibut, shrimp, or tilapia all work!

---

History / Fun Facts

Bang bang sauce originated from Asian-fusion cuisine, often used for crispy shrimp dishes. Its creamy-sweet-spicy flavor profile made it wildly popular online and in restaurants. Pairing it with salmon gives a modern twist—lighter, fresher, and full of vibrant flavor. The air fryer makes it even better by adding crispiness while keeping the inside buttery soft. Today, bang bang salmon bites are one of the most viral salmon recipes on social media, and for good reason: they’re quick, addictive, and unbelievably good.