Description
These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are crispy, flavorful chunks of salmon coated in panko breadcrumbs and baked or air-fried to perfection. Served over a bed of jasmine rice with fresh veggies and drizzled with a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce, this dish is a delicious and healthy weeknight meal. Perfect for meal prep or sharing as an appetizer, it offers a delightful combination of textures and vibrant Asian-inspired flavors that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon Bites:
- 1 lb fresh salmon (skinless and cut into bite-sized cubes)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil or spray for crisping
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice level)
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Juice of ½ lime
For the Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (or cauliflower rice)
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) to ensure the salmon bites will cook evenly and develop a crispy crust.
- Season the Salmon: In a mixing bowl, toss the salmon cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning blend.
- Coat in Breadcrumbs: Press each seasoned salmon cube gently into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring a thorough coating. Lightly spray or brush the coated pieces with olive oil to help them crisp up during cooking.
- Bake or Air-Fry: For baking, place the coated salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 12–14 minutes until golden and crispy. If using an air fryer, cook in batches at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crispiness on all sides.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, fresh lime juice, and honey in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of sriracha.
- Assemble the Bowls: Layer cooked jasmine rice at the base of your bowl. Top with shredded purple cabbage, sliced avocado, shredded carrots, and crispy Bang Bang salmon bites. Drizzle generously with the Bang Bang sauce and garnish with sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, substitute jasmine rice with cauliflower rice.
- Adjust the sriracha in the Bang Bang sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Make sure to cut the salmon into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator and taste great reheated or cold.
- This recipe is kid-friendly and great for meal prep lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking or Air Frying + Assembly
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Salmon, Salmon Bites, Asian-inspired salmon recipe, crispy salmon, healthy salmon recipe, quick dinner, meal prep salmon
