Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

The Unbeatable Bang Bang Salmon Recipe Everyone Will Love

Culinary magic happens when bang bang salmon meets your kitchen’s creative spirit.

Creamy, spicy sauce transforms simple fish into an irresistible masterpiece.

Weeknight dinners demand excitement and flavor that pop with every bite.

Crispy edges and luscious center make this dish a true crowd-pleaser.

Bold ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste sensations.

Quick preparation means you can whip up restaurant-quality elegance in minutes.

Prepare to fall in love with this show-stopping seafood sensation that will become your new favorite meal.

Bang Bang Salmon = Bold, Bright, and Unforgettable

  • Burst with Flavor: Dive into a zesty explosion of spicy, sweet, and tangy Bang Bang sauce that transforms ordinary salmon into an extraordinary culinary experience.
  • Hassle-Free Cooking: Master this recipe with minimal kitchen skills, using simple ingredients and an air fryer that guarantees perfectly cooked salmon bites without complicated techniques.
  • Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a restaurant-quality dish in minutes, making it ideal for busy families seeking a delicious and nutritious meal that doesn't compromise on taste or excitement.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Serve as an appetizer, main course, or party snack that appeals to both seafood lovers and those looking to try something new with a kick of excitement.

What Brings the Bang to Bang Bang Salmon

Main Ingredients:
  • Salmon: A flavorful fish with a rich, buttery texture that serves as the star protein of this dish.
  • Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce that adds complexity and depth to the Bang Bang sauce.
  • Sriracha Sauce: A spicy chili sauce that provides a bold, fiery kick to the recipe.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the salmon.
  • Smoked Paprika: A smoky spice that adds a rich, deep flavor to the salmon bites.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Seasonings that balance and intensify the dish's taste.
Sauce Components:
  • Mayonnaise, Honey, Lime Juice: Ingredients that create a creamy, sweet, and tangy base for the Bang Bang sauce.
  • Olive Oil: A cooking oil that helps coat the salmon and promotes even cooking and browning.

Cook Up Bang Bang Salmon in a Flash

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Sauce

Grab a small mixing bowl and combine the following ingredients to create a mouthwatering sauce:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Thai sweet chili sauce
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Honey
  • Lime juice

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well-blended. Set the sauce aside while you prepare the salmon.

Step 2: Spice Up the Salmon

In a large mixing bowl, toss the salmon bites with these flavor-packed seasonings:
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper

Make sure each salmon bite is thoroughly coated with the spice mixture, creating a delicious flavor explosion.

Step 3: Fire Up the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.

Carefully arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure crispy edges.

If needed, cook in multiple batches.

Step 4: Crisp and Cook

Air fry the salmon bites for 8-10 minutes.

Halfway through cooking, give the basket a gentle shake to ensure even crispiness. The salmon is ready when it’s cooked through and has golden, crispy edges.

Step 5: Plate and Drizzle

Transfer the hot, crispy salmon bites to a serving platter. Generously drizzle the zesty Bang Bang sauce over the top.

Place the remaining sauce in a small bowl on the side for extra dipping enjoyment.

Secrets to Big Flavor in Bang Bang Salmon

  • Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that reduces calories while maintaining creamy texture.
  • Choose wild-caught salmon for better omega-3 content and more sustainable seafood selection.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing everyone to enjoy the dish comfortably.
  • Prevent salmon from drying out by avoiding overcooking and checking internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfect doneness.
  • Store leftover Bang Bang sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for quick meal prep and versatile dipping.

New Flavor Waves for Bang Bang Salmon

  • Spicy Mediterranean Salmon: Replace Thai sweet chili sauce with harissa paste, add fresh dill and lemon zest to the marinade for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
  • Coconut Curry Salmon Bites: Swap sriracha with red curry paste, incorporate shredded coconut into the seasoning mix, serve with a quick coconut-yogurt dipping sauce.
  • Smoky Maple Salmon Poppers: Substitute honey with pure maple syrup, increase smoked paprika, add crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat, garnish with chopped green onions.
  • Teriyaki Glazed Salmon Nuggets: Replace Bang Bang sauce with homemade teriyaki glaze using soy sauce, mirin, and ginger, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Great Pairings for That Bang Bang Punch

  • Spice Up with Chilled White Wine: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly balances the spicy, creamy Bang Bang sauce with its refreshing acidity and light, zesty profile.
  • Complement with Crunchy Slaw: Prepare a tangy Asian-inspired coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cilantro to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, spicy salmon bites.
  • Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Slice cucumber thinly and dress with rice vinegar, a touch of sugar, and chopped fresh dill to create a light, refreshing side that cuts through the rich, spicy flavors.

Store and Serve Bang Bang Salmon Like a Champ

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the Bang Bang sauce separate to maintain crispiness.
  • Freezing: Carefully place salmon in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through, preventing dryness by covering loosely with foil.
  • Air Fryer Reheating: Warm salmon at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. This method helps restore the original crispy texture without overcooking the fish.

Got Questions on Bang Bang Salmon? Dive In

  • Is Bang Bang Salmon spicy?

The sauce has a mild to moderate heat level due to sriracha and Thai sweet chili sauce. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less sriracha according to your preference.

  • Can I use other types of fish?

Yes, you can substitute salmon with other firm fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia. Just ensure the fish chunks are similar in size for even cooking.

  • Do I need an air fryer to make this recipe?

While an air fryer provides the best crispy texture, you can also bake the salmon in a preheated oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes or pan-sear in a skillet with some oil.

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Bang Bang Salmon Recipe

Bang Bang Salmon Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Culinary magic unfolds with bang bang salmon, a zesty Korean-inspired dish that dazzles taste buds. Creamy, spicy sauce and perfectly seared salmon create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1.5 pounds salmon fillets

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

  1. Craft a zesty fusion sauce by whisking mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice until silky smooth and well integrated.
  2. Elevate salmon pieces with a dynamic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne, thoroughly massaging the seasonings into each morsel with a touch of olive oil.
  3. Fire up the air fryer to a precise 400°F, allowing it to preheat for 3 minutes to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
  4. Strategically arrange salmon bites in a single, uncrowded layer within the air fryer basket, guaranteeing maximum crispiness and even heat distribution.
  5. Execute cooking process for 8-10 minutes, performing a mid-cycle basket shake to promote uniform browning and prevent sticking.
  6. Once salmon achieves a golden, crisp exterior and is thoroughly cooked, transfer to a pristine serving platter.
  7. Generously cascade the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the sizzling salmon bites, presenting additional sauce alongside for adventurous diners seeking extra flavor intensity.

Notes

  • Check salmon freshness by ensuring a mild ocean scent and firm, moist texture without discoloration.
  • Pat salmon dry before seasoning to achieve crispy, golden-brown exterior when air frying.
  • Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper and sriracha according to personal heat tolerance.
  • For gluten-free version, verify Thai sweet chili sauce is certified gluten-free or replace with homemade alternative.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 432
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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