Best Bang Bang Salmon Air Fryer Recipe (20 mins)
By far this is the best bang bang salmon air fryer recipe you will ever try. Not only is it delicious but the bang bang sauce is lower in fat than most traditional ones. This juicy salmon is filled with tons of flavor that is slightly tangy and spicy. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights to get dinner on the table quickly. If you want more easy air fryer recipes try these air fryer chicken tenderloins, air fryer chicken sausage, or air fryer teriyaki salmon.
This post may contain affiliate links in which I receive a small commission.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE BANG BANG SALMON RECIPE
- Flavorful Sauce: The Bang Bang sauce used in this recipe combines greek yogurt, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha sauce, and rice vinegar, creating a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. This sauce adds a delicious coating to the salmon, enhancing its taste.
- Versatility: Bang Bang Salmon can be served in various ways, making it a versatile dish. You can enjoy it as a main course alongside rice or vegetables, or use it in tacos, salads, or sandwiches.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe is simple and quick to prepare especially when using the air fryer. With minimal effort, you can have a flavorful and satisfying meal ready in no time.
- Healthy Option: Salmon is a great source of protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and brain function. By air frying the salmon instead of pan-frying or deep-frying, you can reduce the amount of added oil, making it a healthier cooking method.
WHAT TYPE OF SALMON TO USE
Farm-raised and wild-caught salmon differ in several key aspects. Farm-raised salmon has a milder flavor and fattier flesh compared to wild-caught salmon. On the other hand, wild-caught have a more robust flavor and firmer texture due to their natural diet and active lifestyle. Overall, the choice between farm-raised and wild-caught salmon will depend on taste preference and availability of both at your local grocery store.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR BANG BANG SALMON
- Fresh salmon fillets – I prefer center cut salmon fillets for this recipe however any cut of salmon will do.
- Spices – a blend of Old bay, paprika and black pepper is used to season the pieces of salmon. Alternatively you can use cajun seasoning as a replacement.
- Avocado oil – a light but high heat oil used for this cooking method however you can also use avocado oil cooking spray as well.
BANG BANG SAUCE INGREDIENTS
While you can use a store bought sauce, making a homemade spicy sauce is easy with a few simple ingredients
- Light mayo – has a lighter flavor than traditional mayo and has less fat grams per serving as well
- Greek yogurt – plain greek yogurt adds a touch of tanginess as well as helps cut down on fat grams keeping this sauce lighter than the traditional version
- Sweet chili sauce – keeping the carbs and sugar low, I prefer to use GHughes sweet chili dipping sauce
- Sriracha – sriracha sauce brings a spicy kick in this condiment. If you don’t have sriracha you can substitute for your favorite hot sauce.
- Rice Vinegar – rice vinegar is a key ingredient to help balance out the flavor with the greek yogurt being the base.
HOW TO BRINE SALMON
For the best results for this bang bang air fryer salmon recipe, I highly suggest brining the salmon. Place about 2 cups of water in a bowl along with 1.5 tbsp of salt. I place the salmon fillets in the salty solution and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. This brining process helps to break down the muscle fibers in the salmon creating a juicier finished product.
Other reasons to brine salmon:
- Helps season the flesh which improves the flavor
- Helps prevent the protein from drying out
- Helps prevent the albumin from leaking out the salmon
Once you have finished brining the salmon, remove from the solution and set down on paper towels and throughly pat dry.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BANG BANG SAUCE
In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients and stir to combine throughly and set aside.
COOKING SALMON FILETS
Cooking air fryer bang bang salmon is such an easy way to get dinner or lunch done quickly.
In a small bowl, mix the spice blend together and liberally season the top of the salmon. Next drizzle the avocado oil over the salmon and spread with a pastry brush to evenly coat.
Next place the salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer with the skin side down. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon pieces. Cook the salmon 8-10 minutes or to your preferred doneness. However internal temperature should read 145 degrees f at the thickest part of the salmon.
Remove the salmon from the air fryer and set on parchment paper or a plate to cool.
While the salmon is cooling, drizzle sauce over the top of the salmon.
Alternatively you can drizzle the sauce on the salmon with about 1-2 minutes left in the cooking process. Return to the air fryer for the remaining time left for a more baked on sauce.
HOW TO SERVE
To make this a complete meal you can serve this delicious recipe as a bang bang air fryer salmon bowl. Add some jasmine rice, sliced cucumbers, pickled onions, shredded carrots and a leafy green like spinach or kale. Top with green onions and red pepper flakes.
For a low carb option swap out the white rice for cauliflower rice.
Alternatively you can you use the bang bang salmon in dishes like tacos, atop a green salad or simply by itself.
STORING LEFTOVERS
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQ’s
While salmon is the traditional choice for this dish, you can certainly experiment with other types of fish such as trout, tuna or tilapia. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary compared to using salmon.
The spiciness of Bang Bang Salmon can be adjusted according to personal preference. Typically, the sauce includes sweet chili sauce and sriracha, which provides a subtle heat. You can increase or decrease the spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili sauce or adding other spicy ingredients.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can either bake or pan fry the bang bang salmon recipe. Using the baking method, preheat oven to 375 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and follow the same instructions outlined above for prepping the salmon. If pan frying, heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet to medium heat, coat with oil and place the salmon fillets in the pan skin side up.
Let’s stay in touch! Feel free to follow me on my social media as I share more healthy recipes, fitness workouts and motherhood. Give a follow at: Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest!
Best Bang Bang Salmon Air Fryer Recipe (20 mins)
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
Salmon Filets
- 2 pieces Salmon Filets
- 1 tsp Old bay
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Avocado oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Mayo Light or low fat
- 2 tbsp Sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp Rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Sriracha
Instructions
Brining Salmon
- Place about 2 cups of water in a bowl along with 1.5 tbsp of salt.
- Put the salmon fillets in the salty solution and let them soak for at least 10 minutes.
Bang Bang Sauce
- In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients for the sauce
- Stir to combine all of the ingredients throughly
Cooking Salmon Filets
- In a small bowl, mix the spice blend together and liberally season the top of the salmon. Next drizzle the avocado oil over the salmon and spread with a pastry brush to evenly coat.
- Next place the salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer with the skin side down. Cook the salmon 8-10 minutes or to your preferred doneness. Internal temperature should read 145 degrees f at the thickest part of the salmon.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer and set on parchment paper or a plate to cool.
- While the salmon is cooling, drizzle sauce over the top of the salmon.
- Alternatively you can drizzle the sauce on the salmon with about 1-2 minutes left in the cooking process. Return to the air fryer for the remaining time left for a more baked on sauce.
