Discover the perfect weeknight dinner that combines crispy texture with sweet and spicy flavors in this irresistible Bang Bang Salmon recipe. This dish draws inspiration from the popular Bang Bang Shrimp found in many Asian fusion restaurants, but transforms the concept with tender, flaky salmon as the star.
The origin of “bang bang” dishes traces back to Sichuan street food, where vendors would “bang” a hammer against meat to tenderize it. Today’s version focuses on the signature sauce—a mouthwatering blend of creamy, sweet, and spicy elements that perfectly complements the natural richness of salmon.
Beyond its incredible taste, this dish packs impressive nutritional benefits. Salmon provides heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential vitamins, making this not just a delicious choice but a nutritious one too.
What makes this Bang Bang Salmon truly special is how quickly it comes together. Whether baked in the oven or prepared in an air fryer, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes, especially with our salmon bites recipe. The versatility of this recipe allows you to serve it as an elegant main course, a casual weeknight dinner, or even as bite-sized appetizers for your next gathering.
Table of Contents
What is bang bang salmon?
Bang bang salmon is a flavorful dish featuring salmon coated with a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce. Named after the popular Bang Bang shrimp, this recipe combines the natural richness of salmon with a signature sauce typically made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.
What makes this dish special is its versatility – it can be prepared in an air fryer for crispiness, baked in the oven, or even pan-seared. The salmon can be cut into bite-sized pieces or prepared as fillets.
Bang bang salmon works perfectly as a main course with rice and vegetables, in salmon bowls, or as an appetizer. It’s an ideal choice for a quick, impressive meal that delivers bold flavors without complicated techniques.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Salmon
The beauty of Bang Bang Salmon lies in its simplicity, using fresh ingredients that create bold flavors without complicated techniques. This combination delivers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and creaminess that complements the natural richness of salmon. Check the USDA guide on choosing and preparing seafood
For the Salmon:
- 1½ pounds fresh salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil is perfect for cooking the salmon in the air fryer.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes: Consider adding lime wedges and fresh herbs to your crispy bang bang salmon.
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges are a great addition to serve alongside bang bang salmon bites, enhancing the yum factor.
- Fresh cilantro leaves
For best results, use fresh salmon fillets rather than frozen. If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to achieve that desired crispy exterior. The sauce ingredients can be adjusted to make it milder or spicier based on your preference for the homemade bang bang sauce.
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon
Creating this flavorful dish is surprisingly simple. The contrast between crispy salmon and creamy sauce makes for an unforgettable meal that will soon become a regular in your dinner rotation.
First, place the salmon by removing the skin and cutting it into even chunks. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels to ensure they get properly crispy during cooking. This step is crucial for developing that perfect golden exterior.
Prepare the Salmon: First, cut the salmon into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F or prepare your air fryer.
- Remove the skin from the salmon fillets and cut into 1½-inch pieces.
- Pat salmon dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, toss salmon with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the seasoned salmon and gently toss to coat.
For Oven Method: Bake the salmon for a delicious and healthy meal.
- Arrange the salmon fillets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy.
For Air Fryer Method:
- Place salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380°F for 8–10 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake halfway through cooking.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Whisk until smooth and well-blended.
- Drizzle sauce over the cooked salmon or serve on the side.
Your salmon is fully cooked when it flakes effortlessly with a fork and its internal temperature hits 145°F.
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of Bang Bang Salmon makes it an ideal centerpiece for various meal presentations, from casual weeknight dinners to impressive entertaining options that will have your guests asking for the recipe.
Bang Bang Salmon goes perfectly with a range of side dishes and can be served in many delicious ways, including as bang bang salmon bites. Its sweet and spicy profile complements both simple and complex accompaniments, making it perfect for any occasion. Get inspired by Whole Foods’ salmon bowl ideas.
Salmon Bowls: Create a nutritious and satisfying meal by serving your Bang Bang Salmon over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or brown rice. Add fresh avocado slices, cucumber, shredded carrots, and edamame for a colorful bowl that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Drizzle extra bang bang sauce on top for more flavor.
Light Meal Options: For a lighter approach, serve the crispy salmon bites over a fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions. A light drizzle of the bang bang sauce works perfectly as a dressing.
Party Appetizers: Transform this dish into an elegant appetizer by making smaller salmon bites and serving them with toothpicks. Place a small dish of extra bang bang sauce nearby for dipping.
Complete Dinner: For a full dinner experience, pair with steamed broccoli and coconut rice. The mild flavors of these sides balance the bold taste of the crispy bang bang salmon bites beautifully.
Fusion Tacos: Break tradition and use your bang bang salmon as filling for soft tacos with fresh slaw and avocado slices for a delicious fusion dish, or try it as bang bang salmon bites.
Tips & Variations
Perfecting your Bang Bang Salmon is easy with these helpful tips and creative variations that customize the dish to your preference while maintaining its signature sweet and spicy flavor profile.
These simple adjustments and alternatives can transform this already delicious dish into something truly special that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Key Tips:
- Pat the salmon completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Cut salmon pieces into similar sizes for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket – work in batches if needed.
- For extra flavor, marinate the salmon in a bit of soy sauce for 15 minutes before cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise.
- You can prepare the sauce in advance and keep it sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days .
Delicious Variations:
- Honey Garlic Bang Bang Salmon: Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and an extra tablespoon of honey to the sauce.
- Coconut Bang Bang Salmon: Replace half the mayonnaise with coconut cream for a tropical twist.
- Spicy Version: Double the sriracha and add a teaspoon of gochujang for serious heat lovers.
- Lighter Option: Substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise for a tangier, lighter sauce.
- Citrus Bang Bang: Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lime zest to the sauce for a fresh, citrusy element.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free cornstarch and check that your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free.
Nutritional Information for Easy Bang Bang Salmon
Understanding the nutritional profile of Bang Bang Salmon helps you make informed dietary choices while enjoying this flavorful dish that combines protein-rich salmon with the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce.
While this dish offers significant nutritional benefits from the salmon, the thai sweet chili sauce adds calories. Consider portion size or sauce modifications if you’re watching your caloric intake. Learn more about omega-3 benefits from Healthline.
Nutritional Facts Per Serving (approx. 4 oz salmon with 2 tbsp sauce):
- Calories: 320
- Protein: Skinless salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein. 25g
- Total Fat: 22g of homemade bang bang sauce can enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g of crispy bang bang salmon bites can be a delightful appetizer.
- Sugars: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
The salmon itself provides excellent nutrition with omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which support heart and brain health. A single serving delivers approximately 75% of your daily vitamin D needs and significant amounts of B vitamins, particularly B12.
Health Benefits: The salmon skin provides additional nutrients and healthy fats.
- The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon may help reduce inflammation and lower risk of heart disease.
- High-quality protein from skinless salmon supports muscle maintenance and growth.
- Salmon contains selenium, a powerful antioxidant that helps shield your cells from damage.
Dietary Considerations: Consider using air fryer salmon for a lower-calorie option.
- Lower-Calorie Option: Air fryer salmon bites provide a healthier alternative. Reduce sauce amount or substitute part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Lower-Sodium Option: Reduce salt in the seasoning and use low-sodium soy sauce if included.
- Keto-Friendly: This dish is relatively low in carbs and can fit into a ketogenic diet.
- Paleo Option: Use paleo-approved mayonnaise in the sauce.
FAQs
How to Store Bang Bang Salmon?
Properly stored Bang Bang Salmon retains its flavor and texture, making it perfect for meal prep and easy bang bang salmon recipes. Keep any leftover salmon and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days. For best results when reheating, preheat the oven to 275°F for 10-15 minutes or use an air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore some crispiness. It’s best to skip the microwave, as it can leave the salmon with a rubbery texture.The bang bang sauce can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I Make this in an Air Fryer?
Yes! Air fryer bang bang salmon is fantastic and cooks even faster than the oven method. For best results, preheat your air fryer to 380°F, arrange the seasoned salmon pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed), and cook for 8-10 minutes. The air fryer creates exceptionally crispy salmon bites while keeping the inside tender and moist. Remember not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent proper air circulation and result in less crispy salmon.
When is Salmon Done Cooking?
Salmon is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and flakes easily with a fork. The flesh should be opaque and slightly firm to the touch, not translucent or raw in the center. For this recipe, the small salmon pieces typically cook in 8-10 minutes in an air fryer or 12-15 minutes in a conventional oven. Be careful not to overcook salmon as it can quickly become dry. If you don’t have a food thermometer, look for the moment when the salmon easily flakes with gentle pressure from a fork.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Bang Bang Salmon represents the perfect balance of convenience and flavor that modern home cooking aspires to achieve. This dish brings together the nutritional powerhouse of salmon with an irresistible sweet and spicy sauce that transforms an ordinary dinner into something memorable.
Whether you’ve prepared it as a quick weeknight meal, an impressive dinner party main course, or as bite-sized appetizers, Bang Bang Salmon delivers restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. The versatility of this recipe allows you to adapt it to various dietary needs while maintaining its signature flavor profile.
As you incorporate this recipe into your cooking repertoire, don’t be afraid to experiment with the variations suggested or create your own unique twist. The foundation of crispy salmon with creamy, flavorful bang bang sauce provides an excellent canvas for culinary creativity.
We’d love to hear about your experience making this Bang Bang Salmon! Did you follow the recipe exactly or add your personal touch? Did you serve it as a main dish or transform it into appetizers? Share your photos and feedback in the comments section below.
For more delicious seafood recipes that combine nutrition with incredible flavor, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. Your culinary adventure with healthy, flavorful meals is just beginning, and we’re excited to be part of your journey toward more satisfying home cooking, including delicious air fryer salmon.