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Blackened salmon salad with air fried salmon bites in a bowl with a forlk topped with tomato, cucumber, and red onion.

Blackened Salmon Salad with Air Fried Salmon Bites

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 232kcal
Author: Lauren
This Blackened Salmon Salad with Air Fried Salmon Bites is one of the best tasting, most nutritious salads you can eat! It's the perfect light summer meal that can also be prepped in advance. The bang bang dressing really takes this salad over the top and makes your taste buds dance! 
Print Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Salmon Bites:

  • 1 lb. salmon filets I used skinless, Atlantic salmon
  • 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

For the Salad:

  • 8 cups spring mix, lettuce, spinach or green of choice
  • 2 cups cucumber, finely diced
  • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 cup red onion, finely diced
  • red pepper flakes

(optional) 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)

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.

Salmon Bites

  • 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.

Assemble Salad

  • Add 1/4 of all the ingredients to four bowls or assemble each bowl at a time. (2 cups lettuce, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced red onion in each of the four bowls).
  • Drizzle with bang bang sauce (or dressing of choice), sprinkle with red pepper flakes and enjoy! 

Notes

Prep ahead and storage: Go ahead and chop your veggies, cook your salmon bites and make the dressing. Then store everything in individual airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or if taking on the go, store the salad and salmon bites together and just the dressing separately.
Other Cooking Methods:
  • To cook salmon in skillet: cook in a skillet for about 3-4 minutes.
  • To cook salmon in oven: cook in the oven at 425 for about 10 minutes. You can also broil them for 3-4 minutes on each side. 
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
*log Bang Bang Sauce or dressing or choice separately

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.6g | Protein: 22.5g | Fat: 11.5g | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 2g