Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites

Ingredient List for Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites.

• Salmon: to cut even cubes, look for center cut salmon. This is the thickest part of the fish before the filet tails off.

• Seasoning: I wanted to add heat to the recipe and used a cajun seasoning. It compliments seafood and has just enough kick without overpowering the recipe. I used Big Unc Cali Cajun.

• Mayo: used to provide creaminess to the bang bang sauce.

• Sriracha: adds sweetness and tanginess to the sauce with moderate heat to compliment the cajun salmon bites.

• Garlic: adds savoriness and a nutty flavor to the bang bang sauce.

• Rice Vinegar: acidity to break up the creamy and savory ingredients used for the sauce.

• Ketchup: adds sweetness to balance the mayo.

• Green Onion: used as a garnish. Adds a burst of freshness to each bite

• Sesame seeds: I used equal parts white and black sesame seeds for color and crunch.

What is bang bang sauce?

Bang bang sauce is an Asian inspired sauce. Creamy, sweet and spicy, it has hints of sriracha and is delicious on seafood. Best of all it’s super easy to make and you can use it as a dipping sauce with any protein. Chicken, beef, pork or fish, enjoy the sweet and spicy sauce

Don’t confuse Bang Bang and Yum Yum sauce. While they may look the same and sound similarly, they are different. Bang Bang has the spicy component, while a Yum yum sauce is more tomato based.

To make Bang Bang sauce, you only need a few staple ingredients.

In a bowl, add mayo, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, freshly grated garlic and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients together.

Bang Bang sauce storage:

Set this Bang Bang sauce in the fridge. It can be enjoyed all week long as a dip or condiment on a burger or school sandwich.

Prep the salmon bites.

For the perfect uniform salmon bites, I highly recommend you purchase the center cut of the fish. This is the thickest part of the filet giving the cubes some height. It will also provide the most even sized bites which is ideal for even cooking.

Start my removing the skin. Using a filet knife, gently slide the knife down the back removing only the skin. Take your time here! This is where you run the risk of slicing too much meat off and having an uneven piece.

Next, slice the salmon into 1 inch wide strips and next into 1 inch cubes. I find that this is the perfect bite size for any adult or child making for the ideal appetizer.

Drizzle some olive oil for the seasoning binder and season with a cajun seasoning. This will add a mild level of heat to the salmon without overpowering the rich savory taste of the fish. Cajun seasoning works as the perfect spicy compliment to fish in general, but if you want something more savory, you can never go wrong with an all purpose seasoning. It’s a great balance of savory salt, pepper, garlic and paprika.

Crisp up the cajun salmon bites.

This crispy cajun salmon bites recipe comes together in minutes. And while I cooked the fish on my griddle, this is the perfect recipe to make in the air fryer or in a skillet on the stove top. The key here is to crisp up the skin without overcooking the salmon.

I used my Weber Griddle. Preheat it to a medium high heat or set the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drizzle some olive oil on the flat top and place the cajun seasoned salmon bites on the grill. After about 2 minutes check the crust and flip over to a new side. Repeat this until all sides have a nice crust.

The ideal internal temperature on the crispy cajun salmon bites should be 135 degree Fahrenheit. Remove them from the grill and let them rest. Plate up the salmon bites and finish them with the bang bang sauce.

Garnish the crispy cajun salmon bites.

As a final step, prepare a simple garnish to dress the crispy cajun salmon bites.

I really like using sesame seeds and small pieces of green onion. The sesame seeds add a little bit of a crunch and the green onion adds a burst of freshness and sharpness to balance the creamy and savory flavors. Serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Delicious seafood recipes to try:

Fish & Seafood

Butter Smoked Shrimp

Fish & Seafood

Smoked Stuffed Shrimp

Fish & Seafood

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Beef

Steak and Shrimp Dinner