Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Why You Will Love This Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

The Perfect Union of Texture and Taste

These Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are the perfect union of texture and taste in one irresistible package. The exterior offers a nice crunch that gives way to soft, flaky salmon inside, and the bang bang sauce offers a harmonious combination of creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors. This recipe takes plain salmon to a new level of excellence as a mouth-watering dining experience that your dinner guests will fight over for the last morsel. Seafood lovers and even non-seafood fans who shy away from fish plates will adore these crispy bang bang salmon bites.

A Deliciously Versatile Treat

Why are these crispy bang bang salmon bites so incredible is their sheer versatility. They glisten as a spectacular appetizer for parties, are a show-stopping feature of any tapas selection, or can be paired with a salad to make a complete meal. The combination of healthy salmon and rich coating and signature sauce creates a dish that is both remarkable and rewarding. These crispy bang bang salmon bites bring restaurant-quality flavors into your home kitchen with surprisingly simple preparation methods that even novice cooks can easily execute.

A Celebration of Simple Ingredients

The beauty of these crispy bang bang salmon bites is in the creative transformation of simple ingredients into something exceptional. Fresh salmon is the hero, providing an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and pantry staples provide the perfect coat and the mythical bang bang sauce. This dish demonstrates you don’t have to search for esoteric ingredients to create flavors to die for, simply savvy combinations and timely technique. In 30 minutes, you can have these crispy bang bang salmon bites that will revolutionize your method of cooking salmon at home.

Equipment

• Sharp chef’s knife
• Large mixing bowls
• Shallow dishes for breading station
• Large non-stick skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
• Kitchen thermometer (optional but handy to have in case of oil temperature)

Ingredients

For the Salmon Bites:

• 1 pound fresh salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ cup vegetable oil for frying (or to taste)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise (regular or dairy-free)
• 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Garnish:

• 3 green onions, sliced thinly
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white, black, or mix)
• Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

Pat salmon pieces dry. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then let rest 5 minutes at room temperature.

Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, and garlic powder. Reserve half for dipping and use the other half to coat the cooked bites.

Step 3: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up three shallow pans: flour, beaten eggs with water, and panko with paprika. Coat salmon in flour, then egg, then panko, pressing to adhere.

Step 4: Cook the Salmon Bites

Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry salmon in batches 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Step 5: Finishing and Serving

Toss warm salmon bites with sauce, garnish with green onion, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges and extra sauce for dipping.

Making Ahead & Storage

• Bang bang sauce may be made 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Salmon may be cut and seasoned 4 hours ahead, stored covered in the refrigerator.
• Bang bang salmon bites are best consumed immediately after cooking when they are crispiest. Refrigerate leftovers for a maximum of 2 days in an airtight container.
• To restore some crispiness, reheat leftovers in a 350°F/175°C oven for 5-7 minutes. The crispy coating will go soggy if you microwave it.

Expert Tips

• Choose fresh, center-cut salmon fillets with bright color and firm texture. Wild-caught salmon typically gives you better flavor for these crispy bang bang salmon bites.
• Cut the salmon into pieces of equal size (around 1-inch cubes) so that they cook evenly, giving you perfectly cooked crispy bang bang salmon bites throughout.
• The oil needs to be hot enough such that the bites sizzle as soon as they go in, without being too hot such that they burn too quickly before the salmon cooks through. It’s crucial to achieve the best crispy bang bang salmon bites.
• Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature and crisp each piece on all sides. Overcrowding steams rather than fries, destroying the signature crispiness of these bang bang salmon bites.
• For the best bang bang sauce, tailor the sriracha to your preferred level of spiciness. The best sauce for crispy bang bang salmon bites should be thick enough to adhere to the salmon but not so thick that it overpowers the crunchy coating.

Presentation Ideas

• Serve your crispy bang bang salmon bites on an extra-large white platter with bang bang sauce served in a small ramekin in the center for upscale presentation.
• Create an Asian-inspired platter by garnishing with cucumber ribbon, shredded carrot, and microgreens alongside your crispy bang bang salmon bites.
• Serve individual portions of crispy bang bang salmon bites on small paper cones or small takeout boxes for a playful presentation.
• Arrange crispy bang bang salmon bites alternately on skewers with slices of multicolored bell pepper for a dramatic appetizer.
• As an alternative main course, mound crispy bang bang salmon bites over a bed of coconut rice or Asian slaw and drizzle extra bang bang sauce over the top.

Nutritional Insights

These crispy bang bang salmon bites offer a delicious means of harnessing the nutritional benefits of salmon while satisfying cravings for a crispy, tasty treat. Salmon is renowned for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which preserve heart and brain function. Despite as much frying as is done, using this recipe’s structured approach to coating and quick frying reduces oil uptake over deep frying.

For a lower-fat version of these crunchy bang bang salmon bites, air fry or bake the breaded salmon pieces on a wire rack in a 400°F/200°C oven for 10-12 minutes until crispy. This version is lower in fat but still delivers texture and flavor.

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