These Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites are a quick, easy last-minute recipe perfect for parties or snacks. Lightly crispy on the outside, savory with a bit of heat, they’re finished with a creamy homemade bang bang sauce for a sweet-spicy balance.
For more seafood appetizers try smoked stuffed shrimp or grilled tequila lime shrimp. For a bright, tangy salmon option, my dill mustard grilled salmon is a great summer meal.
Table of Contents
- Ingredient List for Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites.
- What is bang bang sauce?
- Prep the salmon bites.
- Recipe Tip
- Crisp up the cajun salmon bites.
- Recipe Tip
- Garnish the crispy cajun salmon bites.
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Delicious seafood recipes to try:
- Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites Recipe
Ingredient List for Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites.
- Salmon: Use center-cut salmon for even, thick cubes that cook uniformly.
- Seasoning: Cajun seasoning adds heat and complements seafood. Use a balanced blend so it doesn’t overpower the salmon.
- Mayo: Provides creaminess for the bang bang sauce.
- Sriracha: Adds sweet-tangy heat to the sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly grated garlic brings savory depth to the sauce.
- Rice Vinegar: Brightens and cuts through the creaminess.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and color to the sauce.
- Green Onion: Fresh garnish that adds a sharp, herbal note.
- Sesame Seeds: Mix white and black for contrast and light crunch.
What is bang bang sauce?
Bang bang sauce is an Asian-inspired, mayo-based sauce that’s creamy, sweet, and spicy. It typically combines mayonnaise, sriracha, ketchup, rice vinegar and fresh garlic. It’s excellent as a dip for seafood, chicken or grilled proteins and is easy to make ahead.
Note: Bang Bang and Yum Yum sauces may look similar, but bang bang is spicier while yum yum tends to be more tomato-forward.
To make the sauce, whisk together mayo, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha, grated garlic and a pinch of salt. Adjust the sriracha to taste.
Bang Bang sauce storage:
Store the sauce in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week. Use it as a dip, sandwich spread or finishing sauce.
Prep the salmon bites.
For even bites, choose the center cut of the fillet. Remove the skin carefully with a fillet knife, taking your time so you don’t trim away too much meat.
Recipe Tip
Trim thin pieces and save them for another use like salmon tacos or fish crisps.
Slice the salmon into 1-inch strips, then cut into 1-inch cubes—ideal bite size for adults and children. Toss the cubes with a little olive oil to help the seasoning adhere, then sprinkle with cajun seasoning. If you prefer a milder profile, substitute an all-purpose rub.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Crisp up the cajun salmon bites.
This recipe cooks quickly and works on a griddle, in a skillet or in an air fryer. The goal is to develop a crisp crust on the outside without overcooking the salmon.
Preheat your cooking surface to medium-high, or set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly oil the griddle or skillet and arrange the seasoned salmon bites in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, checking for a golden crust, and rotate until all sides are crisp. In an air fryer, place bites on the rack to allow airflow and crisp evenly—no flipping needed.
Recipe Tip
Air fryers crisp all sides when pieces are spaced on the rack. Avoid overcrowding for best results.
Remove the salmon bites when the internal temperature reaches about 135°F (57°C). Let them rest a few minutes before plating and finishing with bang bang sauce.
Garnish the crispy cajun salmon bites.
Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onion. The sesame adds crunch and the green onion brings freshness to balance the creamy, spicy sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook the bites for about 12–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F. They should be crispy outside and tender inside.
Bang bang sauce is creamy, slightly sweet and mildly spicy from the sriracha. It pairs especially well with seafood and grilled proteins.
Delicious seafood recipes to try:
Fish & Seafood
Crab Stuffed Salmon
Fish & Seafood
Butter Smoked Shrimp
Fish & Seafood
Chili Glazed Citrus Salmon
Fish & Seafood
Smoked Stuffed Shrimp
If you tried these Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites or another recipe, please leave a star rating and share how it went in the comments — I love hearing from you!
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Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Salmon (center cut)
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tbsp Olive oil
Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayo
- 3 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 Garlic clove, grated
- Pinch of salt
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tbsp Green onion
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the bang bang sauce: combine mayo, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha, grated garlic and a pinch of salt in a small bowl and mix until smooth.
- Remove the skin from the salmon carefully with a fillet knife.
- Cut the salmon into 1-inch strips, then into 1-inch cubes.
- Toss the cubes with olive oil and cajun seasoning to coat.
- Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium-high or set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the salmon bites on the hot surface, about 2 minutes per side, rotating until all sides have a crust. In an air fryer, place bites on the rack and cook without flipping until crisp and cooked through.
- Remove when internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C). Let rest 3–5 minutes.
- Plate the salmon bites, drizzle or dollop with bang bang sauce, and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Trim thin pieces and save for another use like tacos or fish crisps.
- In the air fryer, leave the bites on the rack so air circulates and crisps all sides; don’t overcrowd.
Nutrition
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