Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
If you’re craving a dinner that packs a punch with bold flavors, irresistible crunch, and tender, flaky salmon, you’ve got to try this Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon. This dish combines a perfectly crispy coating with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce that dances on your taste buds. Whether you’re cooking for family or whipping up a quick meal after work, this recipe is a guaranteed hit that feels both elevated and totally doable in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Ready in under 30 minutes, great for busy weeknights.
- Flavor Explosion: Combines crunchy texture with a creamy, spicy sauce for excitement in every bite.
- Healthy Ingredients: Salmon is rich in omega-3s and protein, making this dish nutritious and delicious.
- Versatile Meal: Perfect for serving over rice, salad, or noodles, fitting a variety of preferences.
- Impress Your Guests: Looks and tastes gourmet with minimal effort, ideal for entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients for Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon are easy to find and each plays a special role in creating the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color. Fresh salmon provides a buttery base, while the crunchy coating and tangy sauce bring that signature bang bang vibe to life.
- Fresh Salmon Fillets: Choose skinless and boneless for ease and even cooking.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Gives the crispy, golden crust without being too heavy.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps the coating stick and creates a light base layer.
- Eggs: Acts as a glue to bind the coating ingredients together.
- Mayo: Adds creaminess and richness to the bang bang sauce.
- Sriracha Sauce: Provides the spicy kick essential to bang bang flavor.
- Honey: Balances heat with natural sweetness in the sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the savory depth in both coating and sauce.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors, cutting through the richness perfectly.
- Cooking Oil: For frying to achieve that perfect crispiness without sogginess.
Variations for Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
Customizing this recipe is a breeze and makes it even more fun to tailor the dish for your taste or dietary needs. Try these variations to keep the experience fresh every time!
- Try Different Fish: Use cod or tilapia instead of salmon for a lighter or milder flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap panko breadcrumbs for crushed cornflakes or almond flour to keep it gluten-free.
- Heat Level Adjustments: Reduce or increase sriracha in the sauce to dial the spice up or down.
- Vegan Twist: Replace salmon with crispy tofu and use vegan mayo for the sauce.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Incorporate chopped cilantro or chives in the sauce for a fresh herbal punch.
How to Make Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Start by patting your salmon fillets dry with paper towels; this ensures the coating sticks better and fries up crispier. Cut the fillets into evenly sized pieces for consistent cooking.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
In three shallow dishes, place your flour in one, beaten eggs in the second, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with a sprinkle of garlic powder in the third. This classic dredging method helps build layers of texture.
Step 3: Coat the Salmon
First, dredge each piece of salmon in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko mixture until thoroughly coated. This triple-layer creates that crave-worthy crunch.
Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the salmon pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan for even frying.
Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the salmon cooks, whisk together mayo, sriracha, honey, lemon juice, and a touch of garlic powder in a small bowl. Adjust the sriracha to your preferred level of spice.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Drizzle the creamy bang bang sauce generously over the crispy salmon or toss the salmon gently in the sauce for full coverage. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
- Pat Dry Salmon: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so always dry before coating.
- Use Fresh Panko: Stale breadcrumbs can lose their crunch.
- Heat Control: Maintain medium-high heat when frying to get golden crust without burning.
- Don’t Flip Too Soon: Let the coating set before flipping to prevent it from falling apart.
- Make Sauce Ahead: Prepare the bang bang sauce early to let flavors meld, but add to salmon just before serving.
How to Serve Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
Garnishes
Fresh green onions, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime brighten the dish and add that extra pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
This salmon pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, simple green salads, or crunchy slaws that complement the richness of the fish and sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve it over a bed of soba noodles tossed in sesame oil or pop crispy pieces into lettuce wraps for a fun, handheld twist everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover salmon in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days to keep the fish fresh and the coating as crisp as possible.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze cooked salmon fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags; consume within 1 month for best quality.
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness, avoiding the microwave which can make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I bake the Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake it at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes on a greased baking sheet; the coating may be less crispy but still delicious.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The sauce has a moderate heat level from sriracha, but you can adjust up or down to suit your spice tolerance easily.
What type of salmon works best for this recipe?
Firm, skinless fillets like Atlantic or sockeye salmon hold up well to frying and absorb flavors nicely.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Absolutely, making the bang bang sauce a few hours ahead allows the flavors to blend beautifully and saves time when cooking.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, but keep the salmon and sauce separate until serving to maintain crispiness and freshness.
Final Thoughts
Have fun making this Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon and enjoy how it transforms your dinner routine into a flavorful celebration. It’s a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and spicy that’s sure to become one of your favorite recipes to share with family and friends. Dive in and savor every delicious bite!
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PrintHomemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon
Homemade Crispy Bang Bang Salmon is a quick and simple dinner recipe that features tender, flaky salmon coated in a golden, crunchy crust and topped with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish delivers a perfect balance of bold flavors, texture, and nutrition, making it ideal for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten free breadcrumbs and flour substitutes)
Ingredients
Salmon and Coating
- 4 skinless, boneless fresh salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for coating)
- Cooking oil (vegetable or canola) for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove moisture, then cut into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes—place all-purpose flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder in the third.
- Coat the Salmon: Dredge each salmon piece first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko mixture until fully coated, creating a triple-layer crust.
- Fry to Crispy Perfection: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the coated salmon pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan for even frying.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the salmon fries, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lemon juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Adjust sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Combine and Serve: Drizzle the creamy sauce over the crispy salmon or toss the salmon gently in the sauce ensuring full coverage. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Pat Dry Salmon: Always dry salmon before coating to ensure crispiness.
- Use Fresh Panko: Stale breadcrumbs lose crunch; use fresh for best results.
- Heat Control: Maintain medium-high heat when frying to achieve golden crisp crust without burning.
- Don’t Flip Too Soon: Let the coating set before flipping to prevent it from falling apart.
- Make Sauce Ahead: Prepare the bang bang sauce in advance to let the flavors meld but add to salmon just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: crispy salmon, bang bang sauce, fried salmon, quick dinner, spicy salmon recipe, easy salmon, weeknight meal