Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe

Spicy Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe for Dinner

Salmon takes center stage in these irresistible bang bang salmon bites that promise an explosion of flavor in every single bite.

The crispy exterior gives way to tender, succulent fish that will have you craving more with each mouthful.

Zesty sauce drizzled generously creates a tantalizing blend of creamy and spicy notes that dance across your palate.

These bowls bring restaurant-quality elegance right to your dining table with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Light, refreshing, and packed with protein, these salmon bites offer a delightful meal that suits both weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings.

The combination of textures and bold seasonings makes this recipe a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.

Prepare to be amazed by how simple ingredients can create such an extraordinary culinary experience.

Why You’ll Be Hooked on These Salmon Bites

  • Dive into a mouthwatering salmon dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Adjust spice levels and ingredients to match personal preferences, making this recipe perfect for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.
  • Combines protein-rich salmon, fiber-dense broccoli, and nutrient-loaded rice for a balanced, wholesome meal that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating.
  • Impress guests or family with a restaurant-quality dish that looks stunning but takes surprisingly little time and effort to prepare.

Ingredients Breakdown for Bang Bang Bowls

Main Ingredients:
  • Salmon: Fresh fish chunks that will be marinated and crisped in a skillet.
  • Rice: Nutty brown rice or fragrant jasmine rice serves as the foundation of the bowl.
  • Cucumber: Provides a cool, refreshing element to the dish.
  • Broccoli: Adds nutritious green vegetable with a slight char for texture.
  • Avocado: Creamy slices that enhance the bowl's richness.
Sauce and Marinade Ingredients:
  • Greek Yogurt, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha: Creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that brings vibrant flavor to the salmon bites.
  • Coconut Aminos, Rice Vinegar, Garlic, Sriracha, Sesame Oil: Liquid mixture that adds depth and complexity to the salmon's taste.
Garnish and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh and crunchy toppings that provide additional texture and visual appeal.
  • Salt: Enhances overall seasoning of the dish.
Liquid Components:
  • Avocado Oil: Used for cooking salmon and broccoli with a high smoke point.
  • Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to cucumber salad and marinade.

Simple Guide to Salmon Bite Perfection

Step 1: Create Zesty Cucumber Salad

Toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, salt, and sesame seeds in a small bowl.

Let the mixture marinate while preparing other components, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 2: Cook Perfect Rice

Prepare rice according to package instructions.

Choose brown rice for a nutty profile or jasmine rice for a fragrant alternative.

Step 3: Whip Up Bang Bang Sauce

Blend Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl until silky smooth.

Taste and adjust spice levels to personal preference.

Refrigerate while completing other preparation steps.

Step 4: Craft Salmon Marinade

Combine coconut aminos, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl.

Set aside for salmon seasoning.

Step 5: Sear Crispy Salmon Bites

  • Avocado oil
  • Salmon chunks

Heat avocado oil in a skillet until shimmering.

Add salmon chunks skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes.

Flip and continue cooking until golden.

Pour marinade over salmon, reduce heat, and let sauce thicken into a glossy glaze.

Step 6: Sauté Vibrant Broccoli

Cook broccoli florets in a separate skillet with water and avocado oil.

Cover briefly to steam, then uncover to allow slight charring on edges.

Step 7: Construct Flavor-Packed Bowls

Layer rice, cucumber salad, and broccoli in serving bowls.

Top with crispy salmon bites and generously drizzle bang bang sauce.

Tips for Crunchy Bites and Creamy Sauce

  • Let salmon sit in coconut aminos mixture for 15-20 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and tenderness.
  • Pat salmon dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Adjust bang bang sauce heat level by increasing or decreasing sriracha quantity to match personal spice tolerance.
  • Swap brown or jasmine rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for lower-carb or gluten-free alternatives.
  • Experiment with different vegetables like asparagus or zucchini instead of broccoli for diverse nutrition and flavor profiles.

Reheat and Store Salmon Bowls the Easy Way

  • Store leftovers in airtight containers, separating salmon, rice, and vegetables. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
  • Freeze salmon and rice separately in freezer-safe containers for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing cucumber salad and broccoli as they lose texture and quality.
  • Warm salmon gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to preserve crispiness. Add a splash of oil to prevent drying and restore original texture.
  • Keep bang bang sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving to restore consistency and blend flavors.

What Matches Well With These Salmon Bowls

  • Enhance Flavor Harmony: Pair this zesty salmon bowl with a crisp, chilled Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the richness and complements the spicy bang bang sauce perfectly.
  • Refreshing Beverage Boost: Brew a cold Japanese green tea to balance the heat of sriracha and provide a clean, light counterpoint to the rich salmon and creamy sauce.
  • Texture-Enhancing Side: Add a small side of pickled daikon radish to introduce a tangy, crunchy element that brightens the entire dish and cleanses the palate between bites.
  • Complementary Wine Choice: Select a dry Riesling with subtle mineral notes that will highlight the dish's Asian-inspired flavors and stand up to the bold sriracha kick.

Fun Bowl Combinations to Shake Things Up

  • Gluten-Free Salmon Sensation: Replace coconut aminos with tamari sauce, use gluten-free sweet chili sauce, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Keto-Friendly Salmon Bowl: Swap rice with cauliflower rice, use full-fat Greek yogurt for bang bang sauce, and maintain high-fat content by adding extra avocado and sesame oil.
  • Vegan Alternative Protein Bowl: Substitute salmon with crispy tofu chunks, use plant-based yogurt for bang bang sauce, and keep the same marinade and cooking technique for similar flavor profiles.
  • Low-Sodium Wellness Version: Reduce salt in cucumber salad, use low-sodium coconut aminos, replace sriracha with fresh chili peppers, and choose fresh herbs for additional flavor without extra sodium.

FAQs

  • What type of marinade is used for the salmon?

The marinade combines coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil, creating a flavorful and tangy coating that adds depth to the salmon bites.

  • Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

Yes, you can swap coconut aminos with soy sauce, use regular chili sauce instead of sweet chili sauce, and replace sriracha with another hot sauce that suits your taste preferences.

  • Is this recipe considered healthy?

Absolutely! The dish includes nutrient-rich salmon, fiber-packed brown rice, fresh vegetables like broccoli and cucumber, and uses heart-healthy oils like avocado oil, making it a balanced and nutritious meal.

  • How spicy is the bang bang sauce?

The bang bang sauce offers a mild to moderate heat level, combining Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. You can easily adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha to match your heat tolerance.

Print
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Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe

Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe


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4.8 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Bang Bang Salmon Bites elevate weeknight dinners with crispy, zesty Asian-inspired flavors. Succulent salmon pieces drizzled in spicy mayo create a quick, irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound salmon fillet (cut into bite-sized chunks)

Protein Marinade and Seasoning:

  • 12 cup coconut aminos (or substitute with naturally brewed soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon Uni-Eagle Sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (for frying)

Sauce and Garnish:

  • 13 cup plain Greek yogurt (or mayo as an alternative)
  • 4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Uni-Eagle Sriracha

Bowl Components:

  • 3 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 large broccoli head (florets steamed or roasted)
  • 1 large avocado, sliced for garnish
  • Asian Cucumber Salad (1 batch)

Instructions

  1. Create a tangy cucumber salad by combining cucumber slices with rice vinegar, salt, and sesame seeds. Allow the mixture to marinate while preparing other components, enhancing its flavor profile.
  2. Prepare rice according to package instructions, selecting brown or jasmine rice for optimal taste and texture.
  3. Craft the bang bang sauce by blending Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired, then refrigerate.
  4. Develop a marinade by mixing coconut aminos, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
  5. Sear salmon chunks in hot avocado oil at medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Pour marinade into the skillet, reducing heat to allow sauce to caramelize and coat the salmon.
  6. Simultaneously cook broccoli florets in a separate pan with water and avocado oil. Steam briefly, then uncover to achieve slight charring on edges.
  7. Compose the bowl by layering rice, cucumber salad, and broccoli. Crown with crispy salmon bites, drizzle generously with bang bang sauce, and garnish with avocado slices, chopped green onions, and additional sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Marinate cucumber slices ahead of time to enhance their tangy, refreshing flavor and allow the vinegar and sesame seeds to fully infuse.
  • Choose brown rice for added nutrition and nutty undertones, or opt for jasmine rice if you prefer a more delicate, aromatic base.
  • Adjust bang bang sauce heat level by increasing or decreasing sriracha, making it perfect for those who love mild or spicy flavors.
  • Control salmon’s crispiness by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding fish, creating a golden exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
  • Customize the bowl with alternative protein options like tofu or chicken for vegetarian or different protein preferences.
  • Prep ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen stress during meal preparation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Developing accessible single-serving recipes, Food writing and content creation, Plant-based and allergen-friendly cooking, Culinary education and workshop facilitation

Education

​Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Diploma in Culinary Arts

Specialized in plant-based cooking and sustainable kitchen practices.​

Portland Community College
Certificate in Food Writing and Media

Focused on recipe writing, food photography, and digital content creation.​


Clara’s food journey began with a curiosity for color, texture, and ingredients pulled straight from the garden. Her background in plant-forward cooking and creative writing gives her a unique edge – she makes healthy, flavorful food feel inviting, not intimidating.
She specializes in meals that work for busy lives and different diets, all without sacrificing taste. Clara’s voice comes through in every recipe she writes – clear, kind, and encouraging.

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