These air fryer salmon bites are tossed in a lemony garlic mixture and air-fried for just 8 minutes. Then drizzled with a creamy, zesty Bang Bang Sauce - so good! These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are an easy salmon dinner recipe you're going to be making on repeat.
You’ve gotta love anything bite-sized! And I'm all about variety so a spread of all the mini bites I love laid out to enjoy at once is heaven.... like stuffed mushrooms, stuffed mini peppers, all the meatballs and now Salmon Bites!
These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are so easy and delicious. I'm predicting there soon to become a new family favorite recipe.
If you enjoy this air fryer salmon recipe you should try my Mini Salmon Cakes and my semi-homemade Bang Bang Fish Tacos next!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Quick + Easy – These salmon bites are perfect for busy weeknights. They are ready in under 15 minutes, including prep and cook time! It literally takes longer to preheat my oven than making these bites in the air fryer.
- Flavor-Packed + Bang Bang Sauce – The garlic lemon seasoning adds some amazing flavor to these salmon bites. And tossed in the creamy, spicy-sweet sauce takes these bites to the next level. They're finger-licking good! (Adjust the amount of heat by using more or less of the hot sauce.)
- Kid-Friendly + Crowd-Pleaser – These are great for the kiddos or a group of friend. You gotta love anything bites-size - right? Serve them as an appetizer, main, or a fun party snack.
- Healthy + Nutritious – These salmon bites are packed with protein and omega-3s. And since they are airfried you only need a little oil to prepare them. Nutritious and delicious!
- Crispy Outside + Tender Inside – The air fryer gives you a golden, crispy finish without deep frying.
- Versatile – Serve them in bowls, tacos, wraps, salads, or rice plates—so many ways to enjoy!
- No Mess, No Fuss – You gotta love easy cleanup! There's no oil splatter or greasy clean-up - the air fryer keeps it simple and clean.
- Great for Meal Prep – Make a batch ahead of time and reheat for quick lunches or dinners all week long.
Salmon Bites Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
- Fresh salmon fillets – skinless and cut into 1-11/2-inch cubes.
- Garlic powder – adds more flavor.
- Lemon pepper seasoning - adds balance and brightens the salmon. I only use Lawrys Lemon Pepper Seasoning!
- Salt + black pepper – brightens up the natural flavor of the fish.
- Olive oil – helps crisp up the salmon in the air fryer.
- Fresh garlic - adds more flavor.
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise – creates a creamy base.
- Sweet chili sauce – gives some sweetness and a mild kick.
- Sriracha – adds a bit of zesty heat (adjust to taste).
- Lemon juice – adds brightness and balances out the sweetness from the chili sauce.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below for this air fryer salmon recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). You can also cook them in the oven - preheat to 400°F (200°C) or (390°F).
Prep the Salmon Fillets: If there is skin on the salmon remove it gently with a very thin filleting knife or chef's knife. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Cut it into bite-sized (1-1½ inch) cubes.
Season: Add the garlic powder, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper to the cut up salmon.
Mix together the salmon and spices.
Add the olive oil and fresh garlic and gently combine.
Air Fry: Make sure the air fryer has been preheated to 400°F (200°C) (or 390°F.) Arrange salmon in a single layer in the basket. (Be sure to not over crowd.)
Air fry for 7–9 minutes until golden and cooked through. (Cook for 10-12 minutes if using the oven.)
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lemon juice.
Toss & Serve: Once salmon is done, toss it in the sauce or serve with the sauce on the side for dipping.
How to Store, Reheat and Freeze this Air fryer Salmon Recipe
Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Pop them back in the preheated air fryer at 400°F (or 390°F) for 2-3 minutes to heat them up again. You can also microwave, but they won't have much crispiness.
Freezing: Freeze the cooked salmon bites (without the Bang Bang sauce) on a tray, then transfer to an air tight freezer bag or container for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen in a pre-heated air fryer at 400°F (or 390°F) for 3-4 minutes.
Tips, Tricks & Substitutions
- Use skinless salmon for this recipe. If the skin is on the salmon, ask the seafood department to remove it for you. Or remove it yourself with a very thin chef's knife or a filleting knife.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – Air needs to circulate around each fish bite so leave space between them. Cook them in 2 batches unless your air fryer has space to accommodate all of the fish bites.
- Add a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil to the seasoning for an umami kick
- Substitute some or all of the mayo in the recipe with Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
- Swap out the sweet chili sauce with buffalo sauce for a more savory flavored sauce. Or add some cayenne pepper for more spice.
- Make it dairy-free by using vegan mayo.
- Use shrimp or even cut up chicken breasts or tenders as a protein alternative. (Note: The cooktime will vary.)
What to Serve With Salmon Bites
- Steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice
- Rice noodles, Zoodles or Lo Mein
- Asian cuccumber salad or Asian-style slaw
- Serve as sliders in mini buns with lettuce and Bang Bang Sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
7–9 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 400°F (or 390°F) is perfect for 1-inch salmon cubes.
Yes, for sure! Cook them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden.
Yes! Thaw it completely first and pat it dry with a paper towel - it needs to be as dry as possible.
It has a mild kick, but you can reduce or skip the sriracha to make it less spicy. Or if you want more heat (like me) add more sririacha.
You can prep the salmon, seasonings and the sauce ahead of time. Then toss the salmon in the seasoning and cook just before serving for the best texture
Use a thicker cut of salmon, at least 1 inch thick. Skinless salmon is the best. As I mentioned, you can have the seafood department remove it for you, or you can do it yourself. You'll want to use a very sharp knife with a thin blade.
These Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites are the ultimate mix of crispy, tender, sweet, and spicy.
Whether you're cooking salmon in the air fryer for the first time or you're already hooked, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. It's quick, full of flavor, and easy to make. Plus, it's a fun way to enjoy salmon that's anything but boring!
More Easy and Delicious Salmon Recipes:
- Easy Salmon Patty Recipe
- Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Mini Salmon Cakes with Sriracha Lemon Aiol
- Mediterranean Salmon with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Feta
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’ve made this Salmon Bite Recipe, tap the stars below to leave a recipe rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments!
Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
These air fryer salmon bites are tossed in a lemony garlic mixture and air-fried for just 8 minutes. Then drizzled with a creamy, zesty Bang Bang Sauce - so good! These Bang Bang Salmon Bites are an easy salmon dinner recipe you're going to be making on repeat.
Ingredients
For the Salmon Bites:
- 1 ½ pounds skinless salmon (1 inch thick)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper (Lawry's brand is the only one I use)
- ½ teaspoon salt & pepper
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: A pinch or more of cayenne pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayo (or greek yogurt or a combination of them)
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespooons sriracha or other hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (or 390°F) (See note about cooking in the oven.)
- Prep the Salmon Fillets: If there is skin on the salmon remove it gently with a very thin filleting knife or chef's knife. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Cut it into bite-sized (1-1½ inch) cubes.
- Add the garlic powder, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper to the cut up salmon. and mix together.
- Add the olive oil and fresh garlic and gently combine.
- Make sure the air fryer has been preheated to 400°F (or 390°F). Arrange salmon in a single layer in the basket. (Be sure to not over crowd. Cook in two batches if necessary.)
- Air fry for 7–9 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lemon juice.
- Once salmon is cooked, drizzle or toss it with the sauce. Or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
You can cook these salmon bites in the oven if I don't have an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) . Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook for about 10-12 minutes, until crispy and golden.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’ve made this Salmon Bite Recipe, tap the stars above in the recipe to leave a recipe rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments!
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