Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites. You ever get home after a long day, open the fridge, and all the take-out menus start whispering your name? Same here. But, these are the moments when something like Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites will absolutely change your dinner game. I promise these are way more exciting than a tired grilled cheese or sad leftover pizza. If you loved easy dinners like 7 easy canned salmon ideas you’ll love for dinner or crave a little extra flavor, wait until you try these. And hey if you’re wild about fish cooked to absolute crispy perfection you gotta peek at this deliciously crispy air fryer fish too.
Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe
Ever bite into something and just know—dang, this is what bite-sized joy tastes like? That’s these salmon bites. Super crispy on the outside, kinda melt-in-your-mouth buttery inside, and then that sweet-spicy Bang Bang sauce hits with a surprise kick. I used to think only a five-star restaurant could pull off salmon that’s crispy and not all dried out. But nope. It turns out you absolutely can do this in around 20 minutes, flat.
My friends say “these are ADDICTIVE!” (actual text, not making this up) and even my picky cousin who “doesn’t really do fish” wanted seconds. The sauce… I don’t know, it’s almost not fair how easy it is. You’ll find yourself thinking of weird stuff to dip in it later. Chicken nugget? Leftover broccoli? I digress.
And let’s be real: these salmon bites are also a win when you need to impress folks but don’t feel like fussing. It’s minimal dishes, fast cleanup, and basically zero stress if you follow a few simple tips. Try ’em once and you might just ditch your old salmon routine.
These salmon bites have honestly made me excited about salmon again. Super easy and totally restaurant-worthy!
Pro Tips and Substitutions
Keepin’ it real here, salmon can be a little funny if you’ve never messed with it beyond baking. For perfect salmon bites, use skinless salmon and cut it into even cubes (not tiny, not huge—like dice about an inch across). Fresh is best but honestly, thawed-from-frozen works fine. Just pat it dry so you get that crisp on the outside.
Don’t have panko? Crushed cornflakes or even regular breadcrumbs will work. If you’re out of sriracha, sub your favorite hot sauce in the Bang Bang sauce. Mayo brand doesn’t matter much; just avoid the low-fat kinda stuff for max flavor. Prefer things less spicy? Go easy on the chili sauce, or just leave it out. Boom—still delicious.
Side note: I like to use a shallow dish to coat the salmon in the flour and crumbs, and don’t overcrowd when cooking or the crust gets soggy. Been there, done that—not great. A drizzle of oil in the pan, medium-high heat and a little space between the pieces gives the best sear. Don’t fuss too much with turning them either or the breading falls off. Trust, a little patience here does wonders.
And if you wanna go gluten-free, swap in gluten-free panko. You won’t know the difference, pinky promise.
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon
Here’s the quick and dirty (well, not dirty, just easy) on how I do Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites.
Start with about a pound of salmon. Use a sharp knife because wrestling slippery fish is no joke. Cube it up, then you do this three-step dunk: first flour, then egg, then panko (season the panko if you like things fancy). Be sure the pieces get totally coated. That’s the ticket for crunch.
Heat up some oil in a big skillet (I use olive oil but vegetable oil is also fine). Get it hot, but not smoking (I ruined salmon once and my kitchen smelled like burnt socks for a week). Sauté the salmon cubes in batches so every piece touches the pan, turning each one so every side gets golden.
While the salmon does its thing, whip up the Bang Bang sauce. This is the fun part! Mix together mayo, sriracha, a bit of honey, and a good squirt of lime. Taste and tweak to your liking. When the bites are crispy-crunchy, pile ’em on a plate and drizzle with sauce. Or dunk, if that’s more your style.
Honest truth? I usually double up on sauce. Trust me, you’ll want extras for everything on your plate.
What to Eat with Salmon Bites
Trying to turn this into an actual meal instead of just inhaling bites like popcorn? Let me help.
Here are my favorite serving ideas:
- Toss the bites over a simple green salad (extra sauce = dressing).
- Pair with sticky rice or jasmine rice for a more filling dinner.
- Serve with crispy fries or roasted sweet potatoes for ultimate comfort.
- Throw some on taco shells, top with slaw, and call it “Bang Bang Salmon Tacos.”
If you want more salmon inspiration, you absolutely need to check out mouthwatering salmon recipes you’ll love to make at home or this delicious pasta with salmon peas that will brighten your dinner. They’re both packed with wild ideas.
Try as many combos as you want, but honestly, I just eat these straight off the tray half the time. No shame.
Storing
Here’s where a little kitchen wisdom comes in. I recommend eating these crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites fresh. That’s when the crunch pops and the sauce is at its best. But life happens and sometimes you have leftovers.
Just pop them into an airtight container and stick in the fridge. They’ll stay good for another day or so. Keep the sauce on the side if you can, otherwise the coating goes soggy (not the end of the world, but you lose the crispy magic).
When reheating, skip the microwave if possible. Use an air fryer or toaster oven for a couple minutes so you can pretend you’re eating them “fresh” again. It’s not exactly flawless but it gets darn close. Honestly, I reheated late night leftovers last week and still did a happy dance in my kitchen.
If you love grilling instead, peek at this savor the flavor simple grilled salmon you’ll love guide.
Common Questions
Do I have to use fresh salmon?
Nope, frozen’s fine! Just thaw it completely and pat dry.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Absolutely yes! Air fryer cooks them even crispier. Try 400°F for 8-10 minutes, don’t overfill the basket.
What’s Bang Bang sauce taste like?
It’s a bit sweet, tangy, and spicy—kinda like restaurant yum-yum sauce but better.
Can I use another fish?
Sure thing! Cod or tilapia work. Texture changes a bit but still tasty.
Can I prep these ahead?
You could cut the salmon early and mix the sauce ahead. Don’t bread or cook until you’re ready though. That way the coating stays crisp.
Ready to Wow Friends With Salmon?
Okay, if you’re tired of boring salmon fillets, these Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are your new go-to rescue recipe. You can mix it up, add a wild side dish, or just pop ’em like snacks (I won’t judge). Clean up’s a breeze, people will think you channeled your inner chef, and every bite brings you that vibey flavor explosion. For more inspo, check out tips from Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – I Am Homesteader if you want another take or dive into the quick tricks from Easy Bang Bang Salmon Bites (made in 20 minutes!) – Britney … if you need proof it’s really fast. Now, get cooking and let me know how many friends you converted to the salmon side!
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Start with about a pound of skinless salmon, cube it into even pieces.
- Coat the salmon cubes in flour, then dip them in the beaten egg, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Sauté the salmon cubes in batches, turning to ensure all sides are golden brown.
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the Bang Bang sauce by mixing mayo, sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a bowl. Adjust to your taste.
- Once the salmon bites are crispy and cooked through, place them on a plate and drizzle or dunk them in the Bang Bang sauce.
Notes
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Start by cubing the salmon into roughly 1-inch pieces.
- Coat each piece in flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the coated salmon cubes in batches, ensuring that each piece touches the pan and turns golden brown on all sides.
- In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Adjust flavors to taste.
- Serve the crispy salmon bites with the Bang Bang sauce on the side or drizzled on top.
