If you’re craving a meal that’s both incredibly flavorful and packed with wholesome ingredients, you’re going to adore this Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe. It’s a delightful combination of crispy salmon, vibrant veggies, and a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce that elevates every bite. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or impressive entertaining!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
It’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors: Crispy salmon bites paired with crunchy cucumber salad and creamy avocado create a taste sensation.
Healthy and nourishing: Packed with omega-3-rich salmon, fresh veggies, and wholesome brown rice, this bowl feeds your body right.
Simple yet impressive: The recipe comes together quickly and easily but looks like a dish from a gourmet restaurant.
Highly customizable: Swap veggies or sauces to suit your taste or what you have on hand, making it a flexible weeknight hero.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The beauty of the Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that each play a vital role. From the creamy bang bang sauce that ties all the flavors together, to the crispy salmon bites bursting with savory goodness, every component contributes to an unforgettable bowl of yum.
- Salmon: Fresh, bite-sized pieces make it easier to achieve that irresistible crispy texture while ensuring juicy, tender interiors.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Made with Greek yogurt or mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha creates that creamy, tangy, and spicy kick.
- Coconut aminos: A great soy sauce alternative adding umami without heaviness; easily swapped with low-sodium soy sauce and maple syrup.
- Fresh veggies: Cucumber salad, broccoli, and creamy avocado give a refreshing crunch, vibrant colors, and balanced richness.
How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cucumber Salad and Rice
Start by mixing together the fresh cucumber salad ingredients in a small bowl and letting it marinate to develop its crunchy, tangy flavor. Meanwhile, cook the brown rice according to package directions, so it’s fluffy and ready as the wholesome base for your bowls.
Step 2: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, stir together Greek yogurt or mayo with sweet chili sauce and sriracha until perfectly blended. This creamy, spicy sauce will bring everything together with just the right kick when drizzled on your bowls.
Step 3: Cook the Broccoli
Sauté, steam, or roast the broccoli florets until just tender but still with a little bite. I love sautéing mine with a touch of avocado oil and a splash of water for a quick, flavorful result that keeps the bright green color popping.
Step 4: Prepare and Cook the Salmon Bites
Combine coconut aminos, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil in a bowl for a vibrant marinade. Cut fresh salmon into bite-sized chunks, then heat avocado oil in a skillet until sizzling. Place salmon skin-side down if skin is on, letting it crisp up beautifully for 2-3 minutes. Turn the salmon chunks and pour the marinade into the skillet, allowing it to boil gently and glaze the fish to perfection, cooking through in about 4-5 minutes.
Step 5: Assemble Your Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
To build your bowls, layer a bed of warm brown rice, add a generous scoop of cucumber salad, a handful of tender broccoli, and slices of creamy avocado. Top it all off with the crispy salmon bites and drizzle plenty of that irresistible bang bang sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or green onions if you want an extra flourish.
How to Serve Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe
Garnishes
To make these salmon bowls even more stunning and flavorful, garnish with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro. A lime wedge on the side adds a bright citrus zing that perfectly complements the rich bang bang sauce.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a simple miso soup or an edamame salad to keep things light and refreshing. A crisp Asian slaw or pickled ginger also pairs beautifully if you want to add a tangy crunch to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Feel free to get creative by serving the bowls inside halved avocados or over a bed of crunchy lettuce for a refreshing salad-style spin. For a fun twist, try stacking layers in a clear jar for a grab-and-go meal with visual appeal!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover salmon bites, rice, and veggies separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to five days—this keeps everything fresh without sogginess. Store the bang bang sauce in a small jar to maintain its creamy texture.
Freezing
While the salmon bites freeze well, the fresh veggies and avocado do not retain their ideal texture after freezing. Freeze the salmon separately in a single layer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat salmon bites gently in a nonstick skillet over medium heat to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the texture can become rubbery. Warm the rice separately, and add fresh cucumber salad and avocado slices freshly for the best experience.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of fish for this recipe?
Absolutely! While salmon’s richness really shines here, you can use other firm fish like cod, tuna, or even shrimp. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the seafood is cooked through but not overdone.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The bang bang sauce has a gentle heat from sriracha balanced by sweet chili sauce and creamy yogurt or mayo, making it pleasantly spicy without overwhelming. You can always adjust the amount of sriracha to suit your heat preference.
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What’s the best way to get crispy salmon bites?
Using avocado oil or another high smoke point oil and ensuring the pan is hot before adding the salmon helps achieve that golden crispy skin and edges. Avoid overcrowding the pan so the salmon can sear properly.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce makes this recipe naturally gluten-free, plus the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free as well. Just be sure to verify your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe is a total game-changer in your dinner rotation—fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor and texture that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this bowl makes every meal feel special and satisfying. I truly can’t recommend it enough—give it a try and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls are a vibrant, flavorful meal combining crispy sautéed salmon chunks glazed in a tangy coconut aminos sauce, paired with fresh Asian cucumber salad, steamed broccoli, creamy avocado slices, and brown rice. Topped with a spicy-sweet bang bang sauce, this dish offers a delightful blend of textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors, perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 4 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 tsp sriracha
Salmon Bites
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil for cooking
- 1 lb salmon filet, chopped into bite-sized chunks
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional)
Bowls
- 1 batch Asian cucumber salad (ingredients not specified but typically cucumbers, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, salt)
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 large head broccoli, chopped into florets
- 1 large ripe avocado, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Asian Cucumber Salad: Combine all salad ingredients in a small bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, ideally one hour, to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the Brown Rice: Follow package instructions to cook rice, making about 1 cup dry rice to yield 3 cups cooked for two servings.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Mix Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cook the Broccoli: Steam, sauté, or roast broccoli. For sautéing, heat 1 tsp avocado oil with 1/4 cup water in a nonstick skillet and cook until tender.
- Prepare the Salmon Sauce: In a small bowl, combine coconut aminos, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha (if using), and toasted sesame oil (if using), stirring well.
- Cut the Salmon: Dice salmon filet into bite-sized pieces, leaving skin on if preferred.
- Sauté the Salmon Bites: Heat 1 Tbsp avocado oil over medium-high in a large skillet until sizzling. Place salmon skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until skin is golden-brown. Flip salmon pieces and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Glaze with Sauce: Pour prepared salmon sauce into skillet, allowing it to boil gently. Reduce heat if boiling too aggressively. Continue flipping salmon every few minutes until fully cooked and glazed, about 4-5 minutes more. Verify doneness with a meat thermometer reaching 145°F internal temperature or fully light pink center.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide cooked rice among bowls. Add cucumber salad, sautéed broccoli, avocado slices, and salmon bites. Drizzle with bang bang sauce. Optionally, add extra coconut aminos, teriyaki sauce, green onions, or sesame seeds for added flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy this delicious, nutritious, and balanced meal immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute coconut aminos with 1/4 cup liquid aminos or low-sodium soy sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or brown sugar to balance saltiness.
- For saucier bowls, drizzle extra teriyaki sauce, coconut aminos, or soy sauce as desired.
- Store leftovers in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator; they will keep well for up to 5 days.