Bang Bang Salmon Bowls (Air Fryer Recipe!)
These bang bang salmon bowls are everything I want in a weeknight dinner—bold, satisfying, and ready to customize. We’re talking tender, air fried salmon bites coated in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce, piled high over rice with crunchy veggies and fresh toppings. Each serving of the salmon bites packs around 20g of protein, making it a powerhouse meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. I love the combo of warm salmon, crisp cucumbers, and that drizzle of sauce—but the best part? You can build your bowl exactly how you like it with your favorite veggies!
By the way, if you love a protein-packed bowl kind of situation for dinner, I think you’ll also enjoy these recipes:
- Blackened Fish Taco Bowls With Cilantro Lime Sauce
- TikTok Viral Cottage Cheese Ground Beef & Hot Honey Bowls
- Spicy Sriracha Salmon Bowls
- Teriyaki Chicken Wonton Taco Bowls
- Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
- Korean Veggie Bibimbap Bowls
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
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Salmon fillets: The star of the show! Skinless works best for easy seasoning and even air frying. Cut into cubes for quicker cooking and crispy edges.
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Brown sugar: Adds a touch of caramelized sweetness to balance out the spice and salt.
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Garlic powder: A pantry hero—gives that warm, savory backbone to the seasoning mix.
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Ground ginger: Brings subtle heat and a pop of zingy flavor that pairs beautifully with the bang bang sauce.
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Salt: Just enough to season the salmon without overpowering the other flavors.
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Black pepper: For a little bite—nothing fancy, just classic seasoning.
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Smoked paprika: Adds a touch of smoky depth and gorgeous color to the salmon bites.
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
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Japanese (Kewpie) mayonnaise: Richer and creamier than regular mayo—this is the secret to making the sauce irresistible. You can sub in regular mayo if that’s what you have.
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Thai sweet chili sauce: Sweet, sticky, and just a little spicy—this is what gives the sauce its signature flavor.
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Honey: Boosts the sweetness and helps balance the heat from the sriracha.
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Sriracha: The heat! Adjust to taste depending on your spice level. Start with less if you’re spice-sensitive.
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Fresh lime juice: Adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the mayo—don’t skip it!
Serving Suggestions:
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Cooked white rice: A classic base—fluffy jasmine or basmati works beautifully.
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Sliced cucumber: Crisp and cooling. Great contrast to the warm salmon and spicy sauce.
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Shredded red cabbage: Adds crunch, color, and a little bitterness to round things out.
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Shredded carrots: Sweet and vibrant—perfect for a little extra veggie goodness.
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Shelled edamame: Great texture and a boost of plant-based protein.
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Cooked broccoli: A hearty veggie option that holds up well in bowls.
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Sliced green onions: Adds a fresh bite and a little sharpness.
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Microgreens, for garnish: Optional, but they make it look super fancy and restaurant-worthy.
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Sesame seeds, for garnish: A final touch that adds nutty flavor and a little crunch.
How To Make Bang Bang Salmon Bowls
Want to print this recipe out for later? You’ll find a handy printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. But if you love to see how things come together, keep scrolling for the step-by-step instructions—with photos to guide you through the process!
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, if preheating is required for your model.
- In a medium bowl, add your cubed salmon along with brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Gently toss everything together until the salmon is nicely coated.
- Whisk together all the ingredients for your bang bang sauce in a separate bowl.
- Give it a quick taste and adjust anything to your liking. Once you’re happy with the flavor, divide the sauce into two bowls. Cover one and pop it in the fridge—you’ll need it for drizzling later.
- Pour the other portion of sauce over the seasoned salmon and toss to coat. Make sure each piece gets some of that creamy, spicy-sweet goodness.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a little oil, then arrange the salmon in a single layer. Don’t crowd the basket—work in batches if you need to.
- Air fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, flip the salmon, and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until cooked through and slightly caramelized. Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate and repeat with the rest.
- Once all the salmon is done, drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you like.
- To build your bowls, start with a scoop of white rice, then pile on the salmon. Add any toppings you’re into—cucumber, shredded carrots, red cabbage, edamame, avocado, broccoli, pickled onions… whatever sounds good. Drizzle with extra sauce and finish with some microgreens or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Nutritional Information
Please note that the nutritional details I’ve included in the recipe card are for the salmon bites in bang bang sauce. You’ll need to calculate your own additional ingredients separately if you’re carefully counting your macros! I did it this way so it’s easier for you if you want to create your own bowls with your own choice of toppings.
Each serving of the salmon bites with sauce contains approximately 520 calories, and 20g protein.
Recipe Notes
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Air fryer takes a little patience: If you’re using an air fryer, just know you’ll likely need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, depending on the size of your appliance and how many servings you want to prep at the same time. Totally worth it for that golden, crisp finish—but yes, it takes a little time.
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Want to cook everything at once? You can absolutely make this in the oven if you’re short on time (or patience). Just spread the seasoned salmon in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F/200°C for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the salmon is cooked through and slightly crisped, toss it in the bang bang sauce after baking—trust me, the sugars in the sauce can burn if added too soon.
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Using air fryer liners? Great for easy cleanup, but here’s the deal: don’t add the liner during preheating, and don’t put it in empty. Always place the salmon on top of the liner before starting the cook—otherwise, it can shift, blow around, or even catch fire (yep, learned that one the hard way).
Variations & Serving Ideas
I love serving these bang bang salmon bites bowl-style—with a scoop of fluffy white rice, crunchy veggies, and a drizzle of extra sauce over the top. It’s satisfying, colorful, and full of flavor.
But don’t let that stop you from customizing your own bowl situation:
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Lower carb? Swap the rice for cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage.
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No rice at all? Pile the salmon onto a big salad or stuff it into lettuce wraps.
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Want to make it handheld? Try wrapping it all up in a warm tortilla or nori sheet for a fun twist.
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Looking for a party idea? Serve the salmon on skewers with a bang bang dipping sauce on the side.
It’s one of those meals that’s endlessly flexible, so build your bowl (or wrap, or skewer) exactly how you like it.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bowls
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 1.5 pounds skinless salmon fillets cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ smoked paprika
For the bang bang sauce:
- ¾ cup Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Serving suggestions:
- Cooked white rice
- Sliced cucumber
- Shredded red cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Shelled edamame
- Cooked broccoli
- Sliced green onions
- Microgreens for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C, if preheating is required for your model.
- In a medium bowl, add your cubed salmon along with brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Gently toss everything together until the salmon is nicely coated.
- Whisk together all the ingredients for your bang bang sauce in a separate bowl.
- Give it a quick taste and adjust anything to your liking. Once you're happy with the flavor, divide the sauce into two bowls. Cover one and pop it in the fridge—you’ll need it for drizzling later.
- Pour the other portion of sauce over the seasoned salmon and toss to coat. Make sure each piece gets some of that creamy, spicy-sweet goodness.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a little oil, then arrange the salmon in a single layer. Don’t crowd the basket—work in batches if you need to.
- Air fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, flip the salmon, and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until cooked through and slightly caramelized. Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate and repeat with the rest.
- Once all the salmon is done, drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you like.
- To build your bowls, start with a scoop of white rice, then pile on the salmon. Add any toppings you’re into—cucumber, shredded carrots, red cabbage, edamame, avocado, broccoli, pickled onions… whatever sounds good. Drizzle with extra sauce and finish with some microgreens or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Nutrition
And that’s a wrap on these spicy-sweet bang bang salmon bowls! Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or throwing together a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think—leave a star rating and a comment below! It not only helps other readers, but it also helps me keep creating recipes you’ll love.
