These Air Fryer Salmon Bites with creamy Bang Bang Sauce are one of those recipes that quickly become part of the regular dinner rotation. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights. Each bite is perfectly crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and packed with incredible flavor.
The lightly caramelized edges create the perfect texture, but it’s the irresistible Bang Bang Sauce that truly takes this dish over the top. After making these salmon bites several times in just a few weeks, it’s safe to say they’re a household favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Fast and fuss-free — minimal prep, minimal cleanup
- The marinade + bang bang sauce combo hits every flavor note
- Works as a weeknight dinner, a meal prep staple, or even a party appetizer
- Builds an amazing salmon bowl when you add your favorite toppings
Ingredient Notes
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Salmon — Center-cut fillets work best since they’re thicker and cook more evenly. Skinless is the way to go here. Ask your fishmonger to remove the skin — they’re usually happy to help.
- Oil — Olive oil is the everyday go-to, but toasted sesame oil adds a nice nutty depth if you have it on hand.
- Garlic — Fresh minced garlic is ideal. No fresh garlic? Garlic powder works too — use about ½ to 1 teaspoon.
Recipe Variations
- Stir fresh grated ginger into the marinade for a warm, zesty kick
- Crank up the heat with extra sriracha, your favorite hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne
- Turn these into salmon bowls — pile them over rice and top with avocado, pickled onions, shredded cabbage, edamame, cucumbers, sesame seeds, jalapeño, a squeeze of lime… the possibilities are endless
- Swap honey for maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar
- Add a splash of lime or orange juice/zest to the bang bang sauce for a bright citrus twist
How to Make It
Step 1 — Make the marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
Step 2 — Prep the salmon: Cut the salmon into roughly 1-inch cubes, keeping the pieces as uniform as possible. Toss them in the marinade until evenly coated. Let them sit for up to 30 minutes — but don’t go longer than that. The lemon juice will start breaking down the fish, and you’ll end up with a mushy texture.
Step 3 — Load the air fryer: Arrange the salmon pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed — don’t crowd them.
Step 4 — Cook: Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 7–10 minutes. Give them a shake or flip halfway through if you’d like. They’re done when the outside is golden and crisp and the internal temp hits 145°F.
Step 5 — Make the sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the bang bang sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust the spice level to your liking.
Step 6 — Rest and serve: Let the salmon rest for 3–5 minutes, then drizzle generously with bang bang sauce and dig in.
Recipe Tips
- Cut evenly. Uniform pieces mean even cooking. If a few smaller pieces cook faster, just pull them out early.
- Skip preheating. It takes a moment to load all the individual pieces — starting cold gives you more control and prevents the first pieces from overcooking while you’re still placing the rest.
- Watch the marinade time. 30 minutes max. The acid in lemon juice is not forgiving if you leave it too long.
- Know your air fryer. Every machine runs a little differently. Check yours a minute or two early the first time you make this.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge: Keep leftover salmon bites in an airtight container for 3–4 days. The bang bang sauce lasts about a week on its own. Reheat the salmon in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to bring back that crispiness.
- Freezer: Cool the bites completely, wrap in foil, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Ingredients
For the Salmon Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs salmon center-cut, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil or toasted sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- Make the marinade — In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined.2. Prep the salmon — Cut salmon into uniform 1-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Pour the marinade over the salmon and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for up to 30 minutes — do not exceed this as the lemon juice will break down the texture.3. Arrange in air fryer — Place salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.4. Cook — Set air fryer to 400°F and cook for 7–10 minutes. Optionally shake or flip halfway through. Salmon is done when the outside is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce — While salmon cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and adjust spice level as preferred.6. Rest and serve — Let salmon bites rest for 3–5 minutes. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition (per serving, estimated):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Sodium: 620mg
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