Ever get that super hungry feeling but want something healthy, crispy, super tasty, and dare I say, quick? High Protein Low Calorie Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites absolutely tick all my boxes every single time. Maybe you’re bored with chicken. Maybe you just want a little crunch with major flavor. Look, I get it. I’m about to spill all my secrets for easy salmon bites that taste like takeout but make your health goals happy. Want even more ideas? Check out these amazing high protein low calorie crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites and if you’re in a garlic mood, those crispy honey garlic salmon bites are wild. Okay, let’s get to the good stuff.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, there’s a million reasons these are my go-to. First off, you’re working with salmon, which is protein-packed and easier on the calories than you’d guess. No fuss. The outside gets super crisp (like, dangerously snackable) and the bang bang sauce? Oh man, it brings sweet, spicy, and creamy, all tangled together. This one’s perfect for busy folks who hate boring chicken or meal-prep people searching for actual flavor. And I’m not kidding, make these once and suddenly you’ll start craving salmon every week. Kids, roommates, even picky eaters go in for seconds. I’ve even swapped the sauce for leftovers on sandwiches, just saying. Plus, it just feels good eating something that tastes like a treat but is secretly fueling your body.
High Protein Low Calorie Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless salmon fillets cut into cubes
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Nonstick spray or light oil optional
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or light mayo
- 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp rice vinegar optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease your air fryer basket. This helps keep things from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Prep the salmon: Cut skinless salmon fillets into bite-sized cubes, about 1 to 1½ inches each. Make sure to pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step is key to getting that crispy coating to stick properly.
- Set up your coating station: In one bowl, whisk two eggs. In another, mix together 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. These give your bites that crunchy texture and flavor punch.
- Coat the salmon: Dip each salmon cube in the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Then roll it in the panko mixture, gently pressing to make sure the crumbs stick. You want full coverage but not clumps.
- Arrange for baking or air frying: Place the coated salmon cubes in a single layer on your parchment-lined tray or air fryer basket. Leave space between pieces so they crisp up evenly. A quick spritz of cooking spray on top can help with browning.
- Bake or air fry:
- In the oven: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- In the air fryer: Cook for about 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispness. The outside should be crunchy and the inside flaky and tender.
- Make the bang bang sauce: While the salmon is cooking, stir together ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or light mayo), 1 tablespoon sriracha, and 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. Want more tang? Add a splash of rice vinegar. Want more heat? Add extra sriracha.
- Sauce and serve: Once the salmon bites are crispy and ready, let them cool for a couple of minutes. Then drizzle the bang bang sauce over the top or serve it as a dip on the side, your call.
- Optional add-ons: Sprinkle chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top for extra flavor and flair. Serve over rice, in lettuce wraps, or with roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Notes
Pros
- High in protein and low in calories
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- No frying needed, oven or air fryer friendly
- Crunchy outside, tender inside
- Perfect for meal prep and healthy snacks
- Customizable spice level
- Family and kid-friendly
Cons
- Not ideal for freezing
- Needs fresh salmon for best results
- May get soggy if sauce is added too early
- Not suitable for microwave reheating if you want crispness
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need for This Bang Bang Salmon Bites Recipe
to-find stuff. For your High Protein Low Calorie Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites, you’ll just need:
- Fresh salmon fillets (skinless if possible, makes things a lot simpler)
- Cornstarch or a little regular flour (that’s your crispy coat)
- Garlic powder, salt, and a sneaky shake of black pepper
- Cooking spray (saves calories, keeps the crunch)
- Non-fat Greek yogurt or light mayo for the banging sauce
- Sriracha or any hot sauce you like
- Sweet chili sauce – it is the glue of bang bang flavor
If you’ve got some scallions hiding in your fridge, chop those up on top. They make it pop. Small, simple, and you don’t have to sell your soul at the grocery store for anything.
How to Make This Easy Dinner
Making these salmon bites couldn’t be more chill. Slice your salmon into chunky bites, not too small unless you want them to fall apart. Toss those in a bowl with cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and that pepper. You want a light coat, not a powdered sugar donut situation.
Spread them out on a parchment-lined baking tray, don’t crowd them! (They’re introverts, let ‘em breathe.) Mist them with cooking spray to lock in the crunch factor.
Pop the tray in a hot oven or, if you’re feeling fancy (and slightly impatient), the air fryer. Just about 8 to 10 minutes. They turn golden, little sizzling edges begging for sauce.
For the bang bang sauce, stir up Greek yogurt, sweet chili, and sriracha. Taste it. Want more spice? Squeeze more sriracha, why not.
Let those bites cool for just a minute, they pack heat right out of the oven. Toss or dip ‘em in sauce and enjoy. Not rocket science, but it feels borderline gourmet.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
I’ve made High Protein Low Calorie Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites so often I’ve tried every shortcut, trust me. Wild salmon? Amazing, but any salmon works, sockeye, coho, even that frozen stuff if you’re in a pinch. Don’t skip the cornstarch, though. That’s what gives you that satisfying crunch without deep-frying.
Gluten-free? Use potato starch or rice flour. Need it dairy-free, just swap the yogurt for a vegan mayo. The bang bang sauce is generous, so drizzle or dunk however you want. If your oven runs hot, check those bites at 7 minutes. I’ve burned a few in my time, no shame. And if you want to double the recipe for meal prep, they actually reheat well. So go ahead, make too much. You’ll thank yourself on a busy Tuesday night. Oh – for a little variety, peek at this crispy bang bang chicken or maybe dip them in some bang bang sauce if you’re obsessed like me.
How to Store
So you’ve got leftovers? You’ve got willpower, my friend. Cool your High Protein Low Calorie Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites completely first. Pop them in an airtight container and stash them in the fridge for up to three days. They honestly crisp up again if you toss them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes. The sauce stays good in a jar in the fridge for about a week. Don’t microwave unless you love rubbery salmon (nobody does). If you want to freeze them, you absolutely can, just reheat in the oven, never the microwave. That way, the “crisp” survives.
Serving Suggestions
Here’s where you get creative, and it’s ridiculously fun:
- Or heck, stick them in a tortilla with extra sauce and call it a weeknight win
- Over a big bowl of rice, maybe steal ideas from a bang bang chicken bowl
- Wrapped in a lettuce leaf if you want something light
- Tossed into a salad with crunchy veggies
FAQ
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yep. Just thaw, pat dry, and you’re good. Extra water ruins the crunch.
Is there a good low-calorie substitute for mayo in the sauce?
Absolutely, Greek yogurt is my go-to. Creamy and adds more protein.
Does this work with other fish?
Totally. Try cod or tilapia, but, heads up, cooking time might change.
Is this spicy?
You can dial it up or down. Add extra sriracha if you love the heat or skip half if spice isn’t your thing.
Can I make this gluten free?
Just swap panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs. Everything else is already good to go.
