Nora
Golden on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside — these Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are everything you want in a bite-sized seafood treat. Coated in a light, seasoned crust, they’re fried (or air-fried) to perfection and drizzled with creamy, tangy Bang Bang sauce that hits all the right flavor notes: sweet, spicy, and irresistibly rich.
Whether you serve them as an appetizer, a snack for game day, or a fun dinner option, these salmon bites bring restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen. Pair them with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, and they’ll vanish faster than you can say “pass the sauce.”
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
- Crispy yet tender: Perfectly balanced textures make every bite addictive.
- Bold flavor punch: The Bang Bang sauce’s sweet-heat combo elevates the mild salmon.
- Quick to make: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile serving: Works as a main dish, party snack, or side.
- Crowd pleaser: Even seafood skeptics will be won over.
What’s the Best Salmon for Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites?
The best choice is skinless, boneless salmon fillets with a firm texture. Atlantic or sockeye salmon both work beautifully. Fresh is ideal for the best flavor and texture, but thawed, high-quality frozen fillets are a budget-friendly alternative. Just make sure they’re fully defrosted and patted dry before cooking — excess moisture can keep your coating from getting that irresistible crunch.
Ingredients for the Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Fresh, quality ingredients make all the difference here. Each one plays a role in bringing texture, flavor, and balance to the dish.
- Salmon fillets – The star of the show, providing tender, flaky bites.
- All-purpose flour – Forms the base for the crispy coating.
- Cornstarch – Adds extra crunch to the exterior.
- Eggs – Help bind the coating to the salmon.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Create that signature light and crispy texture.
- Garlic powder & paprika – Infuse the coating with subtle savory depth.
- Salt & black pepper – Essential for seasoning at every step.
- Cooking oil – For frying or spraying when air-frying.
- Bang Bang sauce – A creamy blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha for the perfect sweet-spicy finish.
How To Make the Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Step 1: Prepare the salmon
Cut the salmon fillets into bite-sized cubes. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks.
Step 2: Season the coating
In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This will be your seasoned base.
Step 3: Create the dredging station
Place beaten eggs in one bowl and panko breadcrumbs in another.
Step 4: Coat the salmon
Dip each salmon piece into the flour mixture, then into the egg, and finally into the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to help them adhere.
Step 5: Cook until golden
- Frying: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry salmon bites for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Air-frying: Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray lightly with oil and cook at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Step 6: Toss in sauce
Drizzle or toss the hot salmon bites with Bang Bang sauce right before serving to keep the coating crispy but saucy.
Serving and Storing Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
This recipe yields about 4 servings, making it perfect for a family dinner or a fun appetizer platter.
Serve immediately after tossing in Bang Bang sauce to enjoy the contrast of hot, crispy coating and cool, creamy sauce. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a bright finish.
For storage, keep leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to restore crispiness — microwaving can make the coating soggy.
What to Serve With Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites?
Asian Slaw
A crunchy, tangy slaw balances the richness of the salmon.
Garlic Butter Noodles
Silky, buttery noodles pair beautifully with the sweet-spicy sauce.
Steamed Jasmine Rice
A simple, fluffy base to soak up extra sauce.
Roasted Vegetables
Adds color, texture, and extra nutrition to your plate.
Cucumber Salad
Cool and refreshing, perfect for cutting through the heat.
Edamame with Sea Salt
A protein-packed, easy side that complements the Asian-inspired flavors.
Spicy Mango Salsa
Adds tropical sweetness and extra heat for adventurous palates.
Want More Seafood Snack Ideas?
If you loved these Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites, you’ll probably enjoy these other flavorful seafood dishes:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna — a creamy, garlicky pasta bake loaded with juicy shrimp.
- Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce — bold spices meet rich, buttery sauce.
- Pan-Fried Shrimp — simple, crispy, and perfect with lemon wedges.
- Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce — elegant yet easy enough for weeknights.
- Spicy Coconut Shrimp Soup — a warming, flavor-packed bowl of comfort.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest appetizer or seafood board so you can come back to it any time.
And when you make it, tell me how yours turned out! Did you fry or air-fry? Did you make your Bang Bang sauce extra spicy?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own — your tweaks might inspire someone else’s next dinner.
Explore beautifully curated seafood and snack recipes on NoraNosh Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next kitchen obsession.
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Equipment
- Chef’s Knife
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Skillet or Air Fryer
- Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb salmon fillets, skinless and boneless
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.33 cup neutral oil, for frying (or cooking spray)
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise for Bang Bang sauce
- 0.25 cup Thai sweet chili sauce for Bang Bang sauce
- 1-2 tbsp sriracha to taste, for Bang Bang sauce
- 1 tbsp honey for Bang Bang sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice for Bang Bang sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley or chives garnish
- lemon or lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Cut salmon into 1-inch cubes and pat very dry.
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Place beaten eggs in a second bowl and panko in a third.
- Dredge salmon: flour mixture → egg → panko, pressing to adhere.
- Skillet method: heat oil over medium-high; fry bites 2–3 minutes per side until deep golden and just cooked through.
- Air fryer method: preheat to 400°F; spray basket; cook 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Stir mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and vinegar/lime to make Bang Bang sauce.
- Drizzle or toss hot bites with sauce; garnish with herbs and serve with citrus wedges.