Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon: Easy and Delicious Recipe

There’s something deliciously nostalgic about a weeknight dinner that crackles in the air fryer while you toss a quick saladjust like your mom might’ve done, but with a modern twist. This Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon recipe is trending across Pinterest and TikTok for good reason: it’s fast, flavorful, and the perfect cozy meal. Expect tender, flaky salmon, creamy-spicy bang bang sauce, and a satisfying crunch, all in about 20 minutes.

This dish wraps salmon in a lightly golden crust and slathers it in a bold, zingy sauce that hits every notesweet, spicy, creamy, and bright. Imagine chili crisp meeting tangy lime and smooth mayo. You probably already have most of the ingredients like sriracha, Greek yogurt, or panko in your pantry. Check out the full breakdown below!

I grew up cooking with cast-iron skillets during long Sunday suppers, but lately I’ve been all about the air fryer’s simplicity. After testing this recipe multiple times (yes, we happily ate this five nights in a row!), I finally nailed the sweet-heat balance. The sauce clings just right, and the crisp? Irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon

• Quick and Easy: The entire recipe comes together in under 30 minutesperfect for weeknight meals.
• Bold and Flavorful: The creamy bang bang sauce adds a delicious sweet and spicy punch to tender fillets.
• Healthier Twist: Air frying keeps the fish light, with crispy edges and less oil.
• Minimal Ingredients: Uses kitchen staples and flexible swapsno last-minute grocery runs needed.

Necessary Ingredients (and a Few Notes)

This simple ingredient list is all you need for a satisfying, flavorful dinner. Here’s what makes each one essential:

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh or thawed, about 6 ounces per piece. You can use skin-on or remove the skin if you prefer.
• Olive Oil: Helps crisp the exterior in the air fryer while adding light flavor.
• Bang Bang Sauce: A punchy mix of mayo (or Greek yogurt), sweet chili sauce, sriracha (optional heat), and lime juice.
• Optional Garnish: Sliced green onions and sesame seeds offer crunch, color, and brightness.

How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon

This flavor-packed salmon dish is simple enough for any night of the week. Here’s how to bring it together:

1. Prep the Salmon: Pat each fillet dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice. Mix until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes for optimal crisping.
4. Cook the Salmon: Lightly brush or spray fillets with olive oil on all sides. Place fillets skin-side down in the fryer (if using skin-on). Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
5. Add Flavor Boosts: During the last 1–2 minutes, brush the tops with Bang Bang sauce so it slightly caramelizes without burning.
6. Finish and Serve: Let the salmon rest for 2 minutes after cooking. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, then serve hot!

Tips, Tweaks, and Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Texture: If the fish seems dry, reduce the air fryer temp to 375°F for the final minutes or reduce total cook time slightly.
• Adjusting Spice Level: Cut back on sriracha for a more kid-friendly dish, or amp it up for heat lovers.
• Ingredient Swaps: Sub Greek yogurt for mayo to lighten it up. No chili sauce? Combine honey and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F to restore crispness.

How to Store and Reheat

This dish tastes best fresh but it reheats beautifully when done right. Here’s how to store leftovers and enjoy them again:

• To Store: Let salmon fully cool, then place in an airtight refrigerator-safe container. Use within 48 hours for best texture.
• To Reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F, then cook salmon for 5–7 minutes or until warmed through.
• Pro Tip: Avoid microwaving, which can make salmon rubbery. The air fryer keeps the crust crisp and savory.

Expert Insight: Mastering Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon

Cooking salmon in an air fryer ensures the edges crisp up beautifully while the interior stays moist and tender. This Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon takes it further by adding a creamy, zingy twist of sauce that enhancesnot masksthe natural flavor of the fish. It’s a clever shortcut to a restaurant-worthy meal right at home with minimal cleanup.

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The Long Road to Perfecting Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon

This Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon recipe took a lot of tweaking to reach perfection. My first batch was overcooked, the sauce was too spicy, and I missed that caramelized edge. But after a few kitchen experimentsand a couple of dinners shared with honest taste-testersI got it just right. Now the balance of heat, sweetness, tang, and crisp makes this a go-to dinner in our house.

FAQs ( Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon )

Wrapping Up Your Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon

You’ll love how this Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon comes together in under 30 minutescrispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, with a creamy, flavorful sauce that sings. It’s an easy, modern twist on family cooking that feels just right any night of the week.

Feel free to swap mayo for Greek yogurt or mellow the heat with less sriracha. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer, keeping that crisp edge alivea little tip I picked up from a fellow home cook. Plus, those pantry-friendly ingredients mean you’re never far from comforting homemade goodness.

Give this recipe a whirl and snap a picdid it remind you of a cozy kitchen moment? Share your twists or pass it along to someone who needs a simple, tasty dinner idea. Trust me, you’ll wanna make this again and again.

Thomas Baker

Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon: Easy and Delicious Recipe

A quick and flavorful air fryer salmon recipe featuring a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. Perfect for a healthy, easy dinner that’s ready in under an hour.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 53 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Method

 

1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice until smooth and combined.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
4. Brush each salmon fillet with olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket.
5. Cook the salmon for 10-12 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
6. In the last minute of cooking, brush a generous amount of Bang Bang sauce over the salmon fillets.
7. Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
8. Drizzle with additional Bang Bang sauce and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• For extra spice, add more sriracha to the sauce. Leftover salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.