Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

I will not pretend this is haute cuisine—it’s crunchy, saucy, and made for people who value flavor over plating. Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites are basically salmon nuggets with an attitude: double-textured, slightly spicy, and dangerously easy to eat by the fistful. Try it because it’s quick, impressive, and the kind of thing guests think took longer than it did. Serves: 2–4 (or 1, if you’re having a moment).

Once I made these for a “nice” family dinner and my husband thought “bites” meant sample portions. He ate half the batch while I was plating, then blamed the dog. The dog guilt-tripped us both. My kid decided to help by reorganizing the pantry—by pouring cereal into jars labeled “sugar” and “rice”—so while I was pan-frying salmon, I was also playing detective. Spoiler: the salmon survived; my pride did not.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use panko from a bag and pretend you made it by hand. Nobody will know, and your oven will forgive you.
– Swap out fresh garlic for 1 tsp garlic powder when life and children demand compromise.
– Cook all the salmon at once in a rimmed sheet pan—yes, the pan is too small, but we’re making sacrifices for flavor.
– Paper towels are your friend: dry the fish quickly to get crispier crust and fewer shrubby splatters to scrape off later.
– One-skillet strategy: sauce in same pan after you remove the fish. Less dishes, more smugness.

Serving Ideas

– Serve over steamed rice with chopped scallions and a drizzle of extra sauce—classy, but lazy.
– Toss with shredded cabbage and carrots for a crunchy slaw taco situation. Soft tortillas optional, dignity mandatory.
– Pair with a crisp white wine if anyone in the house has earned it (hint: if the kids drove you nuts today, you qualify).
– For the brave, drop the bites onto a salad and call it “light.” We all know the fries are calling your name.
– Keep it simple: lemon wedge, a little sriracha on the side, and absolutely zero apologies.

What to Serve It With

– Jasmine or sushi rice — because carbs make everything better.
– Quick cucumber salad — refreshing and rude to heavy sauces.
– Steamed broccoli or green beans — parental approval guaranteed.
– Pickled red onions or kimchi — for that “I read a food blog once” energy.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t crowd the pan—unless you enjoy steaming salmon instead of getting that crunchy crust.
– If your crumbs burn, it’s not the recipe; it’s a cry for help from your skillet. Lower the heat. Breathe. Regroup.
– Trim visible skin/scales like a civilized person. If you don’t, you’ll regret it and so will your teeth.
– If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of water. If it’s too thin, accept it and dunk more bites.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Use almond flour or crushed cornflakes for a gluten-free crust.
– Swap salmon for tofu or shrimp if you like aquatic variety.
– Tone down the heat with extra mayo in the sauce if someone in the house has feelings about spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites

A delightful appetizer featuring fresh salmon, coated with a spicy, crispy batter.

No ratings yet

Rate This Yum Pin This Recipe For Later! Share The Yum On Facebook Print

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.25 lb fresh salmon fillets cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
• ▢ 0.5 cup mayonnaise use a spicy variety for more heat
• ▢ 2 tbsp sriracha sauce adjust to taste
• ▢ 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
• ▢ 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Start by cutting the salmon into small bite-sized pieces.
• Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with panko breadcrumbs, and one with the mixed mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Coat each piece of salmon in flour, then dip into the mayonnaise mixture, and finally roll it in the panko breadcrumbs.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry the salmon bites until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
• Remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Notes

Serve hot with extra sriracha and lime wedges for dipping. Try adding some chopped cilantro for extra flavor!