Bang bang salmon bites
Bang Bang Salmon Bites feature seasoned salmon chunks cooked until tender, then served with a creamy bang bang sauce, scallions, and sesame seeds.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 lb center-cut Atlantic salmon fillet skin removed and diced into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 tsp honey optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Olive oil spray for the air fryer basket
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup Kewpie mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 to 1 tsp hot sauce sriracha, or sweet chili sauce
- 0.2 oz garlic grated or crushed, about 1 large clove
- 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce or 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 pinches coarse sea salt
For Garnish
- 1 bulb scallion chopped, or chives
- Toasted white and black sesame seeds or furikake
Instructions
Prepare the Salmon
- Remove the skin from the salmon fillet, if it has not already been removed.
- Dice the salmon into 1-inch / 2.5 cm cubes.
- Place the salmon cubes in a large mixing bowl.
- Season the salmon with coarse sea salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika or sweet paprika, ground black pepper, honey, if using, and olive oil.
- Gently toss until the salmon pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Air Fryer Method
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
- Arrange the salmon cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Leave a small amount of space between each piece to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 350°F / 177°C for 8 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the bang bang sauce.
Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the Kewpie mayonnaise, rice vinegar, hot sauce, sriracha, or sweet chili sauce, grated or crushed garlic, light soy sauce, sugar, ketchup, and coarse sea salt.
- Whisk until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
- If using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, omit the sugar from the sauce.
- Taste and adjust the sauce as desired.
- Remove the Salmon
- Once the salmon is cooked, open the air fryer basket and allow the salmon to rest for approximately 10 seconds.
- Carefully remove the salmon cubes from the basket using a thin spatula or suitable utensil.
- Transfer the salmon bites to a serving plate, taking care not to break them apart.
Oven Method
- To bake the salmon instead, preheat the oven to 400°F / 204°C.
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes on the prepared sheet pan in a single layer.
- Leave a small amount of space between each piece.
- Bake on the top rack for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
- Remove the salmon from the oven and transfer carefully to a serving plate.
Serve
- Garnish the salmon bites with chopped scallions or chives.
- Sprinkle with toasted white and black sesame seeds or furikake.
- Drizzle some of the bang bang sauce over the salmon bites.
- Serve the remaining sauce on the side.
- Serve warm.
Notes
To make Bang Bang Salmon Bites gluten free, use gluten-free tamari instead of light soy sauce, or use coconut aminos as listed in the recipe.
If using coconut aminos, omit the sugar because coconut aminos are naturally sweeter than soy sauce.
Confirm that the Kewpie mayonnaise, hot sauce, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, sesame seeds, and furikake are labeled gluten free, as some brands may contain gluten-based additives or cross-contact warnings.
Use plain salmon and seasonings that are certified gluten free, especially if cooking for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Prepare the salmon on clean cutting boards, utensils, air fryer baskets, baking sheets, and serving plates to prevent gluten cross-contact.