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Bang Bang Salmon

Bang Bang Salmon

Crispy bang bang salmon bites in the air fryer or oven, drizzled with a creamy sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-American
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Instant-Read Thermometer 130-145°F is a narrow window, and a minute past it changes the texture. Worth checking early rather than late.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs salmon fillets skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 2 green onions sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  • Season the salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry and toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Drying the fish first helps the edges crisp instead of steam.
  • Mix the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and add more sriracha if you want it hotter. Set aside.
  • Preheat the air fryer: Preheat a basket air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps the salmon start crisping the moment it hits the basket.
  • Air fry the salmon: Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them so they crisp instead of steam. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway, until browned at the edges. Air fryer models vary, so use the visual cue and a thermometer: salmon is fully cooked at 145°F, and many cooks pull it around 130°F for a moister center.
  • Sauce and serve: Transfer the salmon to a serving bowl and drizzle generously with the bang bang sauce, or toss gently to coat. Scatter green onions over the top and serve right away.

Notes

Cook in a preheated basket air fryer at 400°F in a single layer, flipping halfway, or bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Air fryer models vary, so use the internal-temp cue: salmon is fully cooked at 145°F, and many cooks pull it around 130°F for a moister center.