A couple of years back, I had a bang bang shrimp appetizer at Bonefish Grill, and it’s safe to say I’ve been hooked ever since! So, I thought, why not take that flavor and give it a twist with a different type of seafood? Thus, my air fryer bang bang salmon recipe was created!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love making bang bang salmon in the air fryer! It comes out quickly, generally only needing 10-15 minutes of cooking time depending on the size of your fish portions, and the air fryer keeps your fish really moist and flaky.
This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, and delicious enough that you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation! But, it’s equally good for Lent, or your feast of the seven fishes celebration.
You can adapt this recipe to use different cuts of salmon. I’m using approximately 3-ounce fillet portions here, but I’ve also made this recipe into bang bang salmon bites and it’s great too! Check out my Air Fryer Salmon Bites recipe for more tips on cooking the cubes.
Top your fish up with zesty bang bang sauce for the perfect finish. I’m including a recipe for homemade, which allows you to adjust ingredients based on preference for heat level. However, you can definitely use pre-made, which is available in most major grocery stores!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 1 pound salmon (fresh or defrosted if frozen)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 Tbsp sriracha sauce (depending on spice preference)
- 2 Tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Ingredient Notes and Tips
- I’m using approximately 3-ounce salmon filet portions. You can use other size pieces, but the cooking time will vary. I prefer skinless, but you can also use skin on
- If you need to use your fish directly from frozen, cook for 1-2 minutes to defrost before seasoning to prevent it from sliding off. Alternatively, see my guide on how to quickly Defrost Fish in the Microwave if that’s more convenient!
- Other good seasoning options for the fish can include paprika or onion powder if you want to change things up!
- For a sweeter sauce, feel free to add up to 1 Tbsp of maple syrup or honey to your mix! For more heat, add more sriracha or a spicy seasoning like Cajun!
- Garnish options include some chopped fresh parsley, sliced green onions, and lemon wedges
How to Make Bang Bang Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Trim your salmon into equal-sized pieces, remove any skin if desired (optional), and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Place the salmon into the preheated air fryer basket or rack (skin side facing down if you’re using skin-on) in a single layer, and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F on the air fry setting
- While the salmon is cooking, in a small bowl, combine the mayo, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and vinegar, and mix well to combine
- After the first 5 minutes have passed, reserve about ⅔ of your sauce for serving and spread the remaining ⅓ over the tops of the salmon filets (use a basting brush, spatula, or the back of a spoon)
- Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes at 400°F until the fish flakes easily with a fork (or the internal temperature is 145°F)
- Drizzle the remaining sauce over the salmon (or serve on the side for dipping) and serve with your favorite sides!
What to Serve With Bang Bang Salmon
- Rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Fried rice
- Coconut rice
- Risotto
- Quinoa
- Noodles
- Zoodles
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Edamame
- Sliced cucumbers
- Green salad
- Caesar salad
- Cucumber salad
- Grilled pineapple
- Coleslaw
- Crab rangoon
- Garlic bread
- Red or white wine
- Gin or vodka cocktails
Try my air fryer bang bang salmon with my Frozen Edamame in the Air Fryer, Frozen Crab Rangoon in the Air Fryer, Coconut Mango Sticky Rice, Lime Vodka Sour, Hibiscus Vodka Cocktail, or my Lake Water Drink Recipe.
Recipe FAQs
What Is Bang Bang Sauce Made Of?
Bang Bang sauce typically includes mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha or hot sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sometimes sugar.
It’s a creamy, sweet, and spicy blend. Of course, there are other variations and optional additions you can use to make it your own.
Can I Use Frozen Salmon For This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon, but for best results, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator prior to cooking. Pat dry to remove excess moisture for better flavor absorption.
You can cook directly from frozen, but you’ll want to make sure to cook it for a few minutes to defrost it before adding seasonings, or else they will wash off.
Can I Use Different Sauces For This Dish?
Using a different sauce will no longer be bang bang salmon, but that said, there are a variety of other sauces that are delicious with salmon.
Asian style sauces in particular, such as teriyaki, or sweet, spicy, vibrant sauces with garlic, citrus, and other similar flavors are a great choice.
What Temperature Is Best For Air Frying Salmon?
Generally, salmon can be air fried anywhere between 360-400°F (180-200°C) depending on your recipe and air fryer’s available settings.
Cook the salmon for approximately 10-15 minutes (depending on the size of your portion) until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), which is the USDA guideline for food safety.
How Do I Prevent the Salmon from Becoming Too Dry in the Air Fryer?
The best way to prevent dryness is to avoid overcooking. Ensure the salmon is not too thin, pat it dry before seasoning, and monitor the cooking time closely to maintain moisture.
If it isn’t done after the cooking time passes, add time in small increments to prevent overdoing it.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon
- If you don’t want to preheat your air fryer (we’ve all been guilty of that), plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the colder starting temperature. If you use skin-on salmon, I highly recommend you preheat so that it gets crispier
- You do not need to flip the salmon during cooking. It’s a bit delicate and I find it breaks apart and really isn’t worth the trouble
- This recipe was made in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and my salmon was perfectly cooked (verified via meat thermometer) after 10 minutes. Note that your time may vary with a different air fryer, and with different thicknesses of salmon pieces – keep your pieces as similarly sized as possible for best results
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Store extra sauce separately if possible for best results when reheating
- To reheat, air fry at 375°F for about 5 minutes, until heated through. Check out my guide on how to Reheat Salmon in the Air Fryer for all the tips and tricks!
- Trader Joe’s Salmon Pinwheels in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Salmon
- Easy Air Fryer Salmon Packets
- Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer
Final Thoughts
This bang bang salmon in the air fryer is one of my favorite dinners! It’s easy to make, and comes together in only about 15 minutes for the perfect weeknight option.
Of course, it’s equally good for Lent, the feast of the seven fishes, or any other fish-forward celebration! This recipe is also naturally low carb, so it fits with several different dietary needs!
I love the combination of creamy and spicy sauce on flaky, moist salmon. Serve it alongside some rice and vegetables for a complete meal, or make it into a rice bowl. It even reheats well the next day for an easy lunch option, so feel free to make extra!
Katie’s tip
If you don’t like salmon, make sure to check out my Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken recipe for a similar option featuring a different protein.
Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon (fresh or defrosted if frozen)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 Tbsp sriracha (depending on heat preference)
- 2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Trim your salmon into equal-sized pieces, remove any skin if desired (optional), and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder1 pound salmon, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder
- Place the salmon into the preheated air fryer basket or rack (skin side facing down if you’re using skin-on), and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F on the air fry setting
- While the salmon is cooking, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and vinegar, and mix well to combine⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1-2 Tbsp sriracha, 2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar
- After the first 5 minutes have passed, reserve about ⅔ of your sauce for serving and spread the remaining ⅓ over the tops of the salmon filets (use a basting brush, spatula, or the back of a spoon)
- Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes at 400°F until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (or the internal temperature is 145°F)
- Drizzle the remaining sauce over the fish (or serve on the side for dipping) and serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
- I’m using approximately 3-ounce salmon filet portions. You can use other size pieces, but the cooking time will vary. I prefer skinless, but you can also use skin on
- If you have to use your fish directly from frozen, cook for 1-2 minutes to defrost before seasoning to prevent it from sliding off
- For a sweeter sauce, feel free to add up to 1 Tbsp of maple syrup or honey to your mix!
- If you don’t preheat your air fryer (we’ve all been guilty of that), plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the colder starting temperature. If you use skin-on salmon, I highly recommend you preheat so that it gets crispier
- You do not need to flip the salmon during cooking. It’s a bit delicate and I find it breaks apart and really isn’t worth the trouble (also be gentle when removing it!)
- This recipe was created in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and my salmon was perfectly cooked (verified via thermometer) after 10 minutes. Note that your time may vary with a different air fryer, and with different thicknesses of salmon pieces – keep your pieces as similarly sized as possible for best results
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any garnishes or sides added, size of pieces, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
