Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

I have a soft spot for any recipe that manages to be bold, crispy, and comforting all at once—and these Bang Bang Salmon Bites hit that sweet spot perfectly. Every time I make them, I feel like I’m cheating the system a little. They taste like something you’d grab at a trendy fusion restaurant, but you can pull them off at home in under 30 minutes. And honestly? They’re so good you’ll probably end up eating half of them straight from the pan. I always do.

Before I walk you through everything, let me tell you what you’re in for. These bite-size salmon pieces get tossed in a light, crisp coating, pan-seared or air-fried until golden, and then drizzled—or fully smothered—in a creamy, spicy, tangy Bang Bang sauce. It’s the kind of sauce that makes you pause mid-bite and think, “Yep, that’s the stuff.”

What makes this recipe special is how deceptively easy it is. The ingredients aren’t fancy. The steps aren’t complicated. And the payoff is huge: crisp edges, tender salmon, and a flavor combo that pops. It works as an appetizer, a quick weeknight meal, a party snack, or even a rice-bowl topper.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy outside, tender inside—perfect texture every time
• Quick prep and cook time, ideal for busy nights
• Customizable heat level so you can go mild or fiery
• Uses simple pantry-friendly ingredients
• Works with pan-frying, baking, or air-frying
• Pairs well with rice, noodles, salads, or wraps
• Makes salmon exciting even for picky eaters

Tools You’ll Need

• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Helps you cube the salmon cleanly without tearing. A sharp blade makes the job easier—and safer.
• Mixing bowls
• You’ll want one for the salmon coating and another for your sauce.
• Skillet or air fryer
• Either method gets the bites crisp. I use a non-stick skillet when I want a deeper, golden crust, but the air fryer is great when you want things lighter.
• Tongs or a spatula
• You’ll use them to flip the bites gently without breaking them.
• Whisk
• Makes the Bang Bang sauce super smooth.

Ingredients

For the salmon bites:

• 1.5 lb salmon fillet (680 g), skin removed and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (60 g)
• 1/2 tsp salt (3 g)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (2 g)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (2 g)
• 1/2 tsp paprika (2 g)
• 2–3 tbsp oil for pan-frying (or spray for air fryer)

For the Bang Bang sauce:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (80 g)
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce (30 ml)
• 1–2 tsp sriracha (5–10 ml), adjust to taste
• 1 tsp honey (7 g)
• 1 tsp lime juice (5 ml)

How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

1. Prep the salmon

Pat the salmon dry—this helps the coating stick. Cut it into even cubes so everything cooks at the same speed. If the salmon feels slippery, stick it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Cold fish is easier to slice neatly.

2. Make the coating

In a bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss the salmon pieces gently until they’re fully coated. They should look lightly dusted, not cakey.

3. Mix the Bang Bang sauce

Whisk mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Taste it. If you want more heat, add another dot of sriracha. If you want it sweeter, add a touch more honey.

4. Cook the salmon

Pan-fry method:

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add the salmon pieces in a single layer. Let them cook without touching them for 2–3 minutes so the crust forms. Flip gently and cook another 2–3 minutes.

Air fryer method:

Spray the basket. Place salmon bites in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway.

5. Sauce it

You can drizzle the sauce over the bites, toss them completely, or serve it on the side. I prefer a generous drizzle—just enough for flavor without losing the crispy edges.

Serving Ideas

• Serve over jasmine rice with scallions and sesame seeds
• Toss into a fresh salad with cucumber, cabbage, and a squeeze of lime
• Stuff into tacos with crunchy slaw
• Add to a noodle bowl with veggies and soy-lime dressing
• Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks and extra Bang Bang sauce

Variations & Customizations

• Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter sauce
• Swap salmon for shrimp or chicken bites
• Add extra spices like cayenne or smoked paprika to the coating
• Make it gluten-free by ensuring your chili sauce and sriracha are GF
• Add ginger or rice vinegar to brighten the sauce

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Store leftover salmon bites in a sealed container for up to 2 days
• Reheat in an air fryer or skillet to keep them crisp
• The sauce keeps 4–5 days in the fridge
• You can cube the salmon a day ahead and keep it chilled until cooking

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Dry the salmon well so the coating sticks
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet or air fryer—space equals crispiness
• Flip gently; salmon flakes easily if handled roughly
• Taste the sauce before serving so you can adjust heat or sweetness
• If pan-frying, keep the heat medium-high; too low makes soggy crust, too high burns the coating
• Use fresh salmon when possible—the texture is noticeably better than frozen-thawed

Recipe Details

• Yield: 3–4 servings
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 340

Protein: 28 g

Fat: 18 g

Carbs: 16 g

Thanks for hanging out with me in the kitchen on this one. I hope you make these Bang Bang Salmon Bites soon because once you try them, I think they’ll become a regular in your rotation. If you do give them a go, let me know how they turned out—I love hearing what you switch up or serve them with. Happy cooking!