Crispy 25-Minute Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Bang Bang Sauce

These crispy, bite-sized salmon pieces are one of my favorite ways to turn a simple dinner into something seriously crave-worthy. The salmon gets golden and tender in the air fryer while a creamy, sweet-and-spicy Bang Bang Sauce takes every bite over the top. Best of all, this easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or a fun appetizer!

INGREDIENT NOTES

salmon: for best results, use center cut salmon fillets. These will be the thickest pieces of salmon. Skinless salmon is recommended to make this a lot easier, if you can have the butcher or worker at the fish counter of the grocery remove the skin, that is a great option.
oil: I prefer olive oil in this salmon recipe, but toasted sesame oil would be great too. Olive oil is more readily available in most homes so it makes for an easier recipe when everything is already in the pantry.
minced garlic is ideal in my opinion, but you can use garlic powder if preferred. Use 1/2 – 1 teaspoon

Recipe Variations

Add fresh ginger: Mix some minced fresh ginger into the marinade for an extra layer of delicious flavor.
Turn up the heat: For spicier salmon bites, add more sriracha to the Bang Bang Sauce, use your favorite hot sauce, or add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the salmon marinade.
Make salmon bowls: Turn these salmon bites into hearty bowls by serving them with your favorite toppings. Try cubed avocado, pickled onions, shaved carrots, shredded cabbage, sesame seeds, shelled edamame, jalapeño, cucumbers, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, rice, and any other favorite garnishes.
Switch up the sweetener: Instead of honey, try using maple syrup, agave, or even a sprinkle of brown sugar for a slightly different flavor.
Add some citrus: Brighten up the Bang Bang Sauce with a little fresh lime juice or lime zest. Orange zest would also be delicious for a fun citrusy twist!

Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Salmon Bites

They are so quick and easy to make.
The combo of the marinade with the bang bang sauce is unlike anything else.
Great for weekly meal prep.
The perfect start to a big salmon bowl with all the toppings!
Can be a perfect option for a quick dinner recipe or an easy appetizer.

Ingredients

For the Salmon Bites

1 ½-2 lb center cut salmon filets, skin removed and cut into approx. 1 inch pieces
2 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp soy sauce, tamari for gluten free
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ tsp onion powder
¾ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp sea salt

For the Bang Bang Sauce

½ c mayonnaise
3 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
½ – 1 Tbsp sriracha, vary to desired spice level
2 tsp honey
1 tsp rice vinegar

For Serving

Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds
Lime wedges
Cooked rice or greens, optional

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Cut the salmon: Cut the salmon into approximately 1-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces, keeping them as uniform in size as possible for even cooking. Transfer the salmon to a medium bowl.
Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, combine all of the salmon marinade ingredients and whisk until well blended.
Marinate the salmon: Pour the marinade over the salmon and toss until every piece is fully coated. Let the salmon marinate for up to 30 minutes, but do not marinate it longer than that, as the acid from the lemon can cause the salmon to become mushy.
Arrange in the air fryer: Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. I do not preheat my air fryer, but you can preheat yours if preferred; just keep in mind that the cooking time may be slightly shorter.
Air fry: Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the salmon for approximately 7–10 minutes. Turning or shaking the salmon halfway through is optional. The salmon is ready when the outside is browned and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 145°F, or your desired level of doneness.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon is cooking, whisk all of the Bang Bang Sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the spiciness to your preference.
Rest and serve: Once the salmon is cooked, let it rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. Drizzle generously with the Bang Bang Sauce and enjoy!

**Cut the salmon:** Cut the salmon into approximately 1-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces, keeping them as uniform in size as possible for even cooking. Transfer the salmon to a medium bowl.

**Prepare the marinade:** In a small bowl, combine all of the salmon marinade ingredients and whisk until well blended.

**Marinate the salmon:** Pour the marinade over the salmon and toss until every piece is coated entirely. Let the salmon marinate for up to 30 minutes, but do not marinate it longer than that, as the acid from the lemon can cause the salmon to become mushy.

**Arrange in the air fryer:** Place the salmon bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. I do not preheat my air fryer, but you can preheat yours if preferred; just keep in mind that the cooking time may be slightly shorter.

**Air fry:** Set the air fryer to **400°F** and cook the salmon for approximately **7–10 minutes**. Turning or shaking the salmon halfway through is optional. The salmon is ready when the outside is browned and crisp and the internal temperature reaches **145°F**, or your desired level of doneness.

**Make the Bang Bang Sauce:** While the salmon is cooking, whisk all of the Bang Bang Sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the spiciness to your preference.

**Rest and serve:** Once the salmon is cooked, let it rest for **3–5 minutes** before serving. Drizzle generously with the Bang Bang Sauce and enjoy!

Quick tip: Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cooking the salmon in a single layer gives the edges room to crisp up beautifully while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon Bites

These saucy salmon bites are incredibly versatile, so you can build your meal around whatever you’re craving. Here are some of my favorite pairings:

Steamed jasmine or coconut rice – Perfect for soaking up that delicious Bang Bang Sauce.
Crispy roasted potatoes – A hearty option that adds a satisfying crunch.
Asian-inspired slaw – The fresh, crunchy vegetables provide a great contrast to the creamy sauce.
Steamed broccoli – An easy veggie side that keeps the meal simple and balanced.
Cucumber salad – Cool, crisp cucumbers are especially refreshing alongside the spicy-sweet sauce.
Edamame – A quick protein-packed side that pairs beautifully with the salmon.
Avocado – Add sliced avocado for a creamy, fresh complement to the crispy salmon.
Rice bowls – Layer rice, salmon bites, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrots, and green onions for an easy restaurant-style bowl.

Notes

Storage: Store leftover salmon bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days. The Bang Bang Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 1 week. To reheat the salmon, place it in the air fryer for a couple of minutes until warmed through. The salmon bites can also be frozen. Allow them to cool completely, wrap them in foil, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Cut the salmon into uniform pieces: Try to keep the salmon pieces as similar in size and shape as possible so they cook evenly. If you have a few smaller pieces, that's perfectly fine—simply remove those pieces from the air fryer when they are done and continue cooking the larger pieces for a little longer.

No need to preheat the air fryer: I don't preheat my air fryer for this recipe because it makes it easier to add all of the salmon pieces without rushing. Since it takes a minute to arrange each piece in the basket, skipping the preheat helps prevent some pieces from overcooking or searing while you're still adding the rest.

Don't marinate the salmon for more than 30 minutes: It's important not to let the salmon sit in the marinade for longer than 30 minutes, especially when it contains acidic ingredients. The lemon juice can begin to break down the salmon and negatively affect its texture, leaving it mushy.

Keep an eye on the air fryer: Air fryers can vary quite a bit from one model to another, so stay nearby while the salmon cooks to prevent it from overcooking. You know your air fryer best, so adjust the cooking time as

Nutrition

Nutrition information: The nutrition estimate is based on an 8-ounce serving of salmon along with 2 tablespoons of Bang Bang Sauce. A typical recommended serving of salmon is around 6 ounces, so this calculation represents a slightly larger-than-average serving.

Calories: 558 kcal Carbohydrates: 15g Protein: 35g Fat: 39g Saturated Fat: 6g Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 105mg Sodium: 1261mg Potassium: 890mg Fiber: 0.4g Sugar: 14g Vitamin A: 278 IU Vitamin C: 3mg Calcium: 32mg Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.