1. Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to 390°F. Preheating is key to getting that perfect crispy texture on the salmon.

2. Season the salmon

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the salmon bites gently until they’re evenly coated. You’ll want them to be lightly glistening with the seasoning mixture.

Tip: Don’t skip the olive oil—it helps the seasoning stick and adds a touch of richness.

3. Make the Bang Bang sauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Taste and adjust the heat or sweetness to your liking. Pro tip: Reserve half the sauce in a separate bowl for drizzling later.

4. Coat the salmon bites

Add the seasoned salmon bites to the bowl with the sauce (the half you didn’t reserve) and toss to coat. Be gentle to avoid breaking apart the salmon pieces.

5. Cook in the air fryer

Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Place the salmon bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 4-5 minutes until they’re golden and cooked through.

Tip: Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should read 140-145°F for perfectly cooked salmon.

6. Finish and garnish

Once the salmon bites are done, transfer them to a plate, drizzle with the reserved Bang Bang sauce, and sprinkle with freshly chopped chives for a pop of color and flavor.