This easy bowl mixes crunchy salmon, fresh veggies, and a creamy sauce. The salmon bites are breaded and crisped in the oven or air fryer. If you want another quick version, try this quick Bang Bang salmon recipe for more ideas.
Why make this recipe
This recipe gives you crispy, spicy salmon bites with a sweet kick. It cooks fast and feels special but stays simple. The flavors please kids and adults, and the bowls come together in minutes.
How to make Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Preheat your oven or air fryer and get a baking sheet or basket ready.
- Season the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat each cube in panko breadcrumbs and place them on the tray. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil.
- Bake or air-fry until golden and cooked through, about 8–12 minutes depending on size and method. The air fryer method is similar to many crispy bites recipes, and you can follow an air fryer chicken bites method for timing tips.
- Mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice to make the bang bang sauce.
- Assemble bowls with rice, cabbage, carrots, avocado, and salmon bites. Drizzle sauce and sprinkle green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
Ingredients :
▢ 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
Directions :
Preheat Oven or Air Fryer:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or set air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil the baking sheet or basket.
Season the Salmon:
Toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Coat in Breadcrumbs:
Press each seasoned cube into panko breadcrumbs so they stick. Place them spaced on the tray and lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil.
Bake or Air-Fry:
Bake for 10–12 minutes or air-fry for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Flip halfway for even crisping.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
Assemble the Bowls:
Place rice in bowls. Add shredded cabbage, carrots, avocado slices, and the salmon bites. Drizzle sauce over the top and finish with green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
How to serve Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Serve warm right after cooking so the salmon stays crisp. Offer extra bang bang sauce on the side. These bowls work for lunch, dinner, or a party appetizer on skewers.
How to store Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Cool leftovers to room temperature, then store salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers. Keep in the fridge up to 2 days. Reheat salmon in the oven or air fryer to keep it crisp. Do not freeze the sauce; keep it cold.
Tips to make Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Cut salmon into even cubes so they cook the same.
- Press panko well so it sticks and gives a crisp crust.
- If using an air fryer, check early — cook times vary.
- Keep sauce and crunch separate until serving to keep texture.
- Use lime juice right before serving for fresh flavor.
Variation
- Use crushed cornflakes or almond meal instead of panko for different crunch.
- Make it spicy by adding more sriracha or sprinkle chili flakes.
- Swap jasmine rice for cauliflower rice to lower carbs.
- Turn them into tacos with small tortillas and slaw.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen salmon?
A: Yes. Thaw fully, pat dry, and remove excess moisture before seasoning and breading.
Q: Is it safe to eat salmon cooked this way?
A: Yes. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes. The bang bang sauce stores in the fridge up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Q: Can I bake all pieces at once?
A: Yes, but leave space on the tray so air can circulate and the pieces crisp evenly.
Q: How do I make it milder for kids?
A: Use less sriracha and more honey or sweet chili sauce to lower the heat.
Conclusion
For a quick air-fryer method, you can read a helpful guide on Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – I Am Homesteader. If you want another short recipe and timing tips, see Easy Bang Bang Salmon Bites (made in 20 minutes!) – Britney Breaks Bread.
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites
- 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
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice level)
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Juice of ½ lime
For Assembly
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (or cauliflower rice)
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 whole avocado (sliced)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 whole green onions (sliced)
- Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or set air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil the baking sheet or basket.
- Toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Press each seasoned cube into panko breadcrumbs so they stick. Place them spaced on the tray and lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil.
Cooking
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or air-fry for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through. Flip halfway for even crisping.
Making the Sauce
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
Assembling the Bowls
- Place rice in bowls. Add shredded cabbage, carrots, avocado slices, and the salmon bites. Drizzle sauce over the top and finish with green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.