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About This Recipe
Salmon nuggets are all the rage right now and these bang bang salmon bites made in the air fryer definitely hit the mark! This easy recipe is ready in just 15 minutes and makes the perfect healthy protein for an easy dinner everyone will love.
Plus, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy this bang bang salmon! Enjoy these salmon bites on top of a blackened salmon salad, in a salmon sushi bowl with rice or your favorite veggies!
I love pairing any kind salmon with oven roasted carrots, broccoli, green Beans or roasted cauliflower and carrots.
And just when you thought air fryer salmon bites couldn’t get any better, we’re pairing them with Bang Bang sauce! Seriously what an epic combo – your taste buds will dance! Go ahead and bookmark this recipe because I can guarantee you it’s absolutely one you will come back to!
Why You’ll Love these Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Ready in JUST 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- A great low carb, high protein option for quick meal
- SALMON = SUPERFOOD! High levels of healthy omega-3s which are great for hormonal health
- Perfect for salads, sushi bowls, or serve with your favorite sides for a complete meal
- Delicious on its own but insane with the Bang Bang sauce drizzled on top!
- Salmon filets – I used Atlantic, skinless salmon fillets for this recipe but you can use the kind with the skin on too. Also, if your salmon is frozen, be sure to thaw before using.
- Seasonings – Sweet paprika (can also use regular or smoked paprika), brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Mayonnaise – This is what we’ll use as the main base for the bang bang sauce. I used light mayo but any mayo will do the trick!
- Sweet chili sauce
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Sriracha
- Want more kick? If you like a bit more of a kick, feel free to add a dash or chili powder or cayenne to your seasoning mix. I kept this recipe pretty mild so the whole family could enjoy but I love switching up the seasonings and giving it a bit more a kick when I’m in the mood for spicy.
- Don’t want any kick? If you’re super sensitive to spice, you can omit the red pepper flakes.
- Use Chicken instead. If salmon isn’t your thing you can make bang bang chicken bites instead! Just cut up chicken into 1-inch cubes and follow the recipe as is. The chicken make need to cook a smidge longer. So just make sure it reaches 165F or check that the center is no longer pink.
How to Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Make sauce: whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl or shake in a mason jar. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Dressing will thicken with time; To make it thinner, just shake with a little more water until desired consistency.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Whisk the seasoning mix together in a small bowl.
3. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and cut into 1-inch cubes using a sharp knife.
4. Add salmon cubes to a bowl and spray with cooking spray or olive oil spray so all sides are coated. Add the seasoning mix. Toss to evenly coat.
5. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add the salmon bites to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
6. Cook for 5-7 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the salmon is no longer pink.
- Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat salmon bites, place leftover salmon in the air fryer and heat it for about three minutes at 350°F, shaking halfway.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure salmon is fully thawed if using frozen. To thaw, you can put frozen salmon in the refrigerator overnight. Or, place the salmon in a sealed bag in a bowl of cold water and let it sit for 30 minutes, or until thawed.
- Make sure to pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. This will ensure the cooking oil, and therefore the seasoning, sticks to the salmon well and doesn’t run off from the excess water. Which helps lock in the moisture and also ensures max flavor.
- To ensure that salmon bites cook evenly, be sure to cut into even 1-inch cubes. Also, be sure to shake the air fryer basket (or flip bites if using an air fryer with a tray) halfway though.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon bites as this can turn the salmon dry.
How can I cook these salmon bites if I don’t have an air fryer?
You could cook these salmon bites several ways if you don’t have an air fryer. Firstly, you can cook in a skillet for about 3-4 minutes. Secondly, you can also cook on a baking sheet in the oven at 425F for about 10 minutes. Thirdly, you can also broil them for 3-4 minutes on each side.
Can I make this recipe with chicken if I don’t like salmon?
Of course! This is a great recipe to swap for chicken if seafood isn’t your thing. Just cut up chicken breast or tenderloins in 1-inch cubes, spray with cooking spray and rub with seasoning then cook in air fryer. You might need to cook for an additional minute or two. So just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or there is no pink in the center.
Is salmon healthy for you?
Yes, salmon is actually a superfood! Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids which have a ton of benefits for your heart and brain. Plus, it’s a great source of protein, high in B vitamins and so much more! You can check out all the additional health benefits of salmon here!
Can I use a different type of salmon?
Yes you can use any type of salmon you prefer! If you want a little lower in fat, you can use coho or sockeye salmon. You can also used farm raised instead of wild salmon if that’s what you have on hand! Keep in the that the cooking time may change if you use a salmon lower in fat. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook and dry out.
How do I know my salmon bites are done?
Salmon is done when you can easily flake it with a fork. Or you can double check using a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 135 degrees F inserted into the thickest part.
More Quick and Delicious Salmon Recipes
All recipes by Lauren Levy. Photos by Sierra Inn.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Bang Bang Salmon Bites (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. salmon filets skinless
- 1 Tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise (120g)
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce (60g)
- 1.5 tsp honey
- 1.5 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sriracha can add 1-2 tsp more more if you want it spicier
- 1 Tbsp water (more or less depending on if you want it as a sauce or more like a dressing)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl or shake in a mason jar. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Dressing will thicken with time; To make it thinner, just shake with a little more water until desired consistency.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Whisk the seasoning mix together in a small bowl.
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and cut into 1-inch cubes. Add salmon bites to a bowl and spray with cooking spray so all sides are coated. Add the seasoning mix and toss with the salmon bites to evenly coat.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add the salmon bites to the air fryer basket in an even layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the salmon is no longer pink.
Equipment
- Air Fryer I love this 5-in-1 grill/oven/air fryer from Ninja! It you don't have a ton of counter space for several different appliances I highly recommend this one!
Notes
- Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat salmon bites, place leftover salmon in the air fryer and heat it for about three minutes at 350°F, shaking halfway.
- Make sure salmon is fully thawed if using frozen. To thaw, you can put frozen salmon in the refrigerator overnight. Or, place the salmon in a sealed bag in a bowl of cold water and let it sit for 30 minutes, or until thawed.
- Make sure to pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. This will ensure the cooking oil, and therefore the seasoning, sticks to the salmon well and doesn’t run off from the excess water. Which helps lock in the moisture and also ensures max flavor.
- To ensure that salmon bites cook evenly, be sure to cut into even 1-inch cubes. Also, be sure to shake the air fryer basket (or flip bites if using an air fryer with a tray) halfway though.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon bites as this can turn the salmon dry
Bang Bang Sauce Nutrition:
- Per serving: 2 Tbsp (30g) – makes 7 servings
- Nutrition per serving: 52 calories 4C / 4F / 0P
- MFP entry: LFF Skinny Bang Bang Sauce
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
