Bang Bang Salmon Bites — Crispy Salmon with Creamy Sweet-Spicy Sauce Recipe
Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy, flavorful salmon cubes seared to perfection and coated with a creamy, sweet-spicy Bang Bang sauce. This quick and easy skillet dish offers a perfect balance of bold flavors and textures, making it ideal as an appetizer, over rice bowls, or inside tacos.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon:
- 1 lb (450 g) salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch for extra crispiness
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt blend)
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust heat)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions
- Prep salmon: Pat the salmon dry thoroughly and cut into bite-sized cubes. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. If using, lightly toss the cubes with cornstarch to add extra crispiness during cooking.
- Heat pan: Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring the pan is hot before adding the salmon for a good sear.
- Sear salmon: Arrange the salmon cubes in a single layer in the skillet, avoiding overcrowding to allow even cooking. Cook each side for 2–3 minutes, or until the salmon is golden brown and cooked through.
- Make sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and honey in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Toss gently: Remove the cooked salmon from heat and gently toss it with the prepared Bang Bang sauce until each bite is well coated.
- Serve immediately: Transfer salmon bites to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispiness and flavor.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to prevent the salmon from drying out.
- Serve the salmon bites over jasmine rice, inside tacos, on sliders, or over a fresh crisp salad for versatile meal options.
- You can substitute salmon with shrimp, chicken, or tofu depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- The Bang Bang sauce can be prepared in advance and stored refrigerated, but cook the salmon fresh for the best texture.
- Use reusable containers for storing leftovers to reduce waste.
- Save salmon skin to crisp separately as a crunchy snack or garnish.
- Cook extra rice while the skillet is hot to save time and energy.
- Adjust sriracha quantity in the sauce to control the heat level.
- If preferred, you can air fry the salmon bites at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes or bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes instead of pan-searing.
- Make sure to fully thaw any frozen salmon before cooking and pat dry to avoid excess moisture.
Keywords: Bang Bang Salmon, crispy salmon bites, sweet spicy sauce, salmon appetizer, quick seafood recipe, skillet salmon
