Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe – Spicy and Juicy Bites
There’s something deeply satisfying about a meal in a bowl. It feels complete, balanced, and nourishing, all in one go. For me, the best bowls are a mix of textures and temperatures, with something warm and comforting nestled against cool, crisp vegetables. This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowl recipe is the absolute pinnacle of that idea. We’re talking about cubes of salmon, so incredibly tender on the inside with a light, crisp coating, all tossed in a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce that clings to every single bite. This is my go-to recipe when I need something that feels a bit special for a weeknight but comes together in under 30 minutes.
What I adore about these salmon bowl recipes is how they transform a simple fillet of fish into something exciting. Using an air fryer gives us those coveted crispy edges without any deep-frying, keeping the salmon wonderfully moist. The real star, of course, is the Bang Bang sauce – a simple mix of ingredients that creates a flavour profile that’s both familiar and thrilling. We’re not just making dinner; we’re building a bowl of pure joy.
This recipe is ideal for anyone looking to add more fish to their diet in a genuinely delicious way. It works beautifully for a quick family dinner, a healthy lunch prep for the week, or even for serving to friends. The components are straightforward, but the final result is a vibrant, satisfying meal that always gets compliments.
Recipe Overview
This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowl recipe is all about creating delicious contrasts. You’ll get succulent, flaky salmon pieces with a delicate crispy exterior, generously coated in a dynamic sauce that’s creamy from mayonnaise, spicy from sriracha, and sweet from a touch of honey and sweet chilli. Assembled in a bowl with fluffy rice and fresh, crunchy vegetables, it’s a complete and balanced meal. After testing this recipe five times, I finally landed on the perfect air fryer temperature and time to get the salmon just right without drying it out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 people
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe
- Genuine Flavour: The sauce is the heart of this dish. The creaminess of the mayonnaise is cut through with the sharp heat of sriracha and the gentle sweetness of honey and sweet chilli sauce. Paired with the rich, savoury flavour of the salmon, it’s a truly compelling combination.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this entire meal can be on your table in about 25 minutes, making it brilliant for those busy evenings when you want something nourishing without the long wait.
- A Flexible Recipe: The bowl concept is wonderfully adaptable. Don’t have rice? Use quinoa or even mixed greens as a base. Swap the cucumber and edamame for shredded carrots, bell peppers, or pickled red onion. You can truly make it your own.
- Great for Weeknight Dinners: When you want to elevate your midweek meal routine, this salmon bowl recipe is a fantastic choice. It feels sophisticated but the process is so straightforward. It also works well for meal-prepping lunches; just keep the sauce separate until you’re ready to eat.
- Family Tested: This is a recipe that everyone in my house gets excited about. Even my partner, who isn’t the biggest fish fan, absolutely loves these salmon bites. The creamy sauce and crispy texture seem to win everyone over.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the best results, try to use high-quality ingredients, especially the salmon. A good, fresh fillet will make all the difference. I often use Kewpie mayonnaise for the sauce as its rich, umami flavour adds a wonderful depth that you don’t get from standard mayo. You can find it in most large supermarkets or Asian food stores.
- For the Salmon Bites:
- 600g skinless, boneless salmon fillet, cut into 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp light olive oil or avocado oil
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 120g good-quality mayonnaise (I prefer Kewpie)
- 3 tbsp Thai sweet chilli sauce
- 1-2 tbsp sriracha (or more, to your taste)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- For Assembling the Bowls:
- 300g jasmine or sushi rice, cooked
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 150g edamame beans, shelled and steamed
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted, for garnish)
- A few sprigs of fresh coriander (optional)
Sara’s Tip: Make sure to pat the salmon cubes completely dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This is a crucial step for getting that cornflour coating to stick properly and achieve maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
The process for these air fryer salmon bites is very streamlined. While the rice cooks, you can prepare the salmon and the sauce, so everything comes together at once. It’s all about efficient, organised cooking!
- Cook the Rice: First, get your rice cooking according to the package instructions. This usually takes about 15 minutes, which gives you the perfect window to prepare everything else.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat your salmon cubes thoroughly dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, mix together the cornflour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the salmon cubes to the bowl and toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Drizzle with the oil and toss again.
- Make the Sauce: While the salmon marinates for a moment, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until smooth. The history of sauces like Sriracha is fascinating, adding such a key component to modern fusion dishes like this one. Taste the sauce and adjust the sriracha or honey to your liking.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (180°C fan). Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important not to overcrowd it; cook in two batches if necessary. Air fry for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and the edges are golden and lightly crisped. For food safety, ensure fish is cooked to the correct temperature as advised by the Food Standards Agency.
- Coat the Salmon: Transfer the hot salmon bites to a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the Bang Bang sauce over them. I find that using a spatula to gently fold the sauce over the salmon helps to coat every piece without breaking them apart.
- Assemble Your Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the saucy bang bang salmon bites. Arrange the sliced avocado, edamame beans, and cucumber alongside the salmon.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle a little of the remaining sauce over each bowl. Garnish with sliced spring onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and fresh coriander if you’re using it. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips From My Kitchen
- Don’t Skip the Cornflour: The light coating of cornflour is what helps the salmon develop a beautifully crisp exterior in the air fryer. It also gives the sauce something to cling to, ensuring every bite is flavourful.
- The Secret to Perfect Bites: I learned that cutting the salmon into uniform, 1-inch cubes is key. This ensures they all cook at the same rate, so you don’t have some pieces that are overcooked and dry while others are underdone.
- Make-Ahead Method: You can make the Bang Bang sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The vegetables can also be chopped a day ahead to save you time. The salmon is best cooked just before serving for optimal texture.
- Storage: Leftover salmon bowls can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend storing the components separately if possible. Reheat the salmon bites in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 180°C to bring back some of their crispness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the Air Fryer: Placing too many salmon bites in the basket at once will cause them to steam instead of crisp up. For the best texture, cook them in a single, even layer, leaving a little space between each piece. Work in batches if your air fryer is small.
- Using Wet Salmon: If the salmon is damp when you coat it, the cornflour mixture will become gummy and won’t create a crispy layer. A thorough pat-down with a paper towel is a non-negotiable step!
- Dressing the Salmon Too Early: Don’t toss the salmon in the sauce until you are ready to serve. The crispy coating will soften the longer it sits in the creamy sauce, so for the best texture, sauce and serve immediately.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your tastes or what you have in the kitchen. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Extra Spicy Salmon: If you love heat, add an extra tablespoon of sriracha to the sauce. You could also add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the cornflour mixture for an extra kick on the salmon itself.
- Different Protein: This recipe works wonderfully with other proteins. Try it with king prawns (adjust cooking time to 4-5 minutes) or cubed chicken breast. For a similar flavour profile, check out my Bang Bang Chicken Thighs recipe.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the salmon for firm tofu, pressed well and cubed. The cooking method is almost identical. Cauliflower florets also work brilliantly; just be sure to increase the cooking time slightly until they are tender and golden.
What to Serve With Bang Bang Salmon Bites
While this is a complete meal in a bowl, a few extra touches can make it even better. Here’s what I like to serve alongside it.
- Pickled Ginger: A small amount of pickled ginger on the side provides a fantastic, sharp contrast that cuts through the richness of the salmon and the creaminess of the sauce.
- Crispy Seaweed Snacks: Crumbled sheets of nori or other seaweed snacks add a lovely salty, umami crunch when sprinkled over the top just before serving.
- A Crisp White Wine: A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the spicy and rich flavours of the dish beautifully. A light, crisp lager is also a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the Rice: First, get your rice cooking according to the package instructions. This usually takes about 15 minutes, which gives you the perfect window to prepare everything else.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat your salmon cubes thoroughly dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, mix together the cornflour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the salmon cubes to the bowl and toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Drizzle with the oil and toss again.
- Make the Sauce: While the salmon marinates for a moment, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until smooth. The history of sauces like Sriracha is fascinating, adding such a key component to modern fusion dishes like this one. Taste the sauce and adjust the sriracha or honey to your liking.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (180°C fan). Arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd it; cook in two batches if necessary. Air fry for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through and the edges are golden and lightly crisped. For food safety, ensure fish is cooked to the correct temperature as advised by the Food Standards Agency.
- Coat the Salmon: Transfer the hot salmon bites to a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the Bang Bang sauce over them. I find that using a spatula to gently fold the sauce over the salmon helps to coat every piece without breaking them apart.
- Assemble Your Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the saucy bang bang salmon bites. Arrange the sliced avocado, edamame beans, and cucumber alongside the salmon.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle a little of the remaining sauce over each bowl. Garnish with sliced spring onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and fresh coriander if you're using it. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
I really hope you give this Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowl recipe a try. It’s one of those meals that looks impressive and tastes incredible but is secretly so straightforward to put together. It has become a firm favourite in my home, and I love seeing it come together so vibrantly in the bowl. If you make it, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below – I love hearing from you! Happy cooking!
– Sara Gomez
