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If you’re craving that classic buffalo wing flavor but want something more elegant, these Buffalo Salmon Bites are your answer. Tender salmon cubes are baked and tossed in a spicy, tangy buffalo sauce for a quick, impressive appetizer or dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Salmon Bites

Versatile for any event: Perfect for game day, dinner parties, or quick meals.
Simple to prepare: Just cube, season, bake, and toss for restaurant-quality results.
Unbeatable flavor combo: Rich salmon meets spicy, tangy buffalo sauce.
Indulgent yet healthy: Packed with salmon’s nutritional benefits, not heavy breading.

Ingredients & Tools

1 lb skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
For serving: ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, carrot sticks

Tools: A sharp chef’s knife, a medium mixing bowl, a baking sheet, and parchment paper.

Notes: Use a good-quality, skinless salmon fillet for even cooking. Don’t skip the smoked paprika—it adds smoky depth.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:	280 kcal
Protein:	25 g
Fat:	18 g
Carbs:	3 g
Fiber:	0 g

Serves: 3-4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10-12 minutes | Total Time: 22 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

What’s the best salmon to use? Look for a center-cut fillet of Atlantic or Sockeye salmon. It should be firm to the touch and have a vibrant color. A thicker fillet is easier to cube neatly than a thin tail piece.
Can I make my own buffalo sauce? Absolutely! A simple mix of 1/2 cup of a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce (like Frank’s), 1/3 cup of melted butter, and a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice will give you that classic, balanced flavor.
Why pat the salmon dry? This is a small but crucial step. A dry surface allows the oil and seasonings to cling better and promotes beautiful browning in the oven, rather than steaming.
What if I’m sensitive to spice? No problem! You can use a mild buffalo sauce or even a barbecue sauce for a different twist. The method remains exactly the same, so feel free to customize the sauce to your taste.

How to Make Buffalo Salmon Bites

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is perfect for getting a quick, firm cook on the salmon without drying it out. While the oven heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup an absolute dream and prevents any sticking.

Step 2: Now, let’s prep the star of the show. Take your salmon fillet and use a sharp knife to cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes. Try to make them as uniform as possible so they all cook at the same rate. Place the cubes in a medium bowl and pat them gently with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. You’ll notice this helps the seasonings stick.

Step 3: Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon cubes, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to toss everything together gently but thoroughly. You want every single cube to be coated in that flavorful oil and spice mixture. Be careful not to break the delicate salmon apart as you mix.

Step 4: Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching each other; giving them a little space allows the hot air to circulate and ensures they get a nice bit of color all over, rather than steaming next to each other.

Step 5: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The salmon is done when it’s opaque around the edges and flakes easily with a fork. It will continue to cook a bit after it comes out, so don’t overdo it! You’re aiming for tender and juicy, not dry.

Step 6: While the salmon is baking, whisk together your buffalo sauce, melted butter, and the optional honey in a clean bowl. The butter adds richness and helps the sauce cling to the salmon, while the honey just takes the sharpest edge off the heat, creating a more rounded flavor.

Step 7: As soon as the salmon bites come out of the oven, carefully transfer them back to the mixing bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the buffalo sauce mixture over the hot salmon and toss gently to coat. The heat from the salmon will help the sauce soak in beautifully.

Step 8: Now for the final touch! Transfer your saucy buffalo salmon bites to a serving platter. You can drizzle the remaining sauce over the top for an extra kick and a glossy finish. Serve them immediately while they’re still warm and wonderfully fragrant.

Storage & Freshness Guide

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Freezer: Freezing not recommended; texture may become watery.
Reviving: Reheat gently in a 275°F oven until warm.

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

A crisp, cool salad — A simple romaine or iceberg lettuce salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing, crunchy contrast to the spicy, rich salmon bites.
Creamy coleslaw — The creaminess of a classic coleslaw is the perfect antidote to the heat of the buffalo sauce, creating a wonderful balance of flavors and textures on your plate.
Roasted potato wedges — Salty, herby potato wedges are fantastic for scooping up any extra sauce and add a hearty, comforting element to the meal.

Drinks

A crisp lager or pale ale — The carbonation and slight bitterness of a cold beer help cut through the richness of the salmon and cleanse your palate between spicy bites.
Sparkling water with lemon — For a non-alcoholic option, the bubbles and citrus are incredibly refreshing and act as a perfect palate cleanser against the bold buffalo flavor.
A dry Riesling — The slight sweetness and high acidity of this white wine balance the spice beautifully, making each bite of salmon taste even more vibrant.

Something Sweet

Classic New York cheesecake — The rich, dense, and cool creaminess of cheesecake is the ultimate finale, soothing your taste buds after the spicy main event.
Fresh fruit salad — A bowl of chilled, juicy fruits like melon, berries, and pineapple offers a light, natural sweetness that feels wonderfully refreshing.
Dark chocolate brownies — The deep, bitter-sweet notes of dark chocolate provide a satisfying and decadent end to the meal that still stands up to the lingering spice.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the salmon. Salmon cooks very quickly and continues to carryover cook once removed from the oven. Pull it out when it’s just opaque and still looks a little glossy in the center for the most tender result.
Crowding the baking sheet. If the salmon cubes are too close together, they’ll steam instead of roast. This prevents that lovely, slightly

Buffalo Salmon Bites

Cost Level $$

Category Salmon Recipes

Difficulty Medium

Cuisine American, southern-us

Servings 3

Total Time 22 minutes

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Learn how to make easy Buffalo Salmon Bites in under 25 minutes. Perfectly baked salmon tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. Get the simple recipe and serve tonight!

Ingredients

For the salmon and seasoning:

1 lb skinless salmon fillet (cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the buffalo sauce:

1/2 cup buffalo sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)

For serving:

ranch or blue cheese dressing
celery sticks
carrot sticks

Instructions

01
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is perfect for getting a quick, firm cook on the salmon without drying it out. While the oven heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup an absolute dream and prevents any sticking.
02
Now, let's prep the star of the show. Take your salmon fillet and use a sharp knife to cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes. Try to make them as uniform as possible so they all cook at the same rate. Place the cubes in a medium bowl and pat them gently with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. You'll notice this helps the seasonings stick.
03
Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon cubes, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to toss everything together gently but thoroughly. You want every single cube to be coated in that flavorful oil and spice mixture. Be careful not to break the delicate salmon apart as you mix.
04
Arrange the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they aren't touching each other; giving them a little space allows the hot air to circulate and ensures they get a nice bit of color all over, rather than steaming next to each other.
05
Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The salmon is done when it's opaque around the edges and flakes easily with a fork. It will continue to cook a bit after it comes out, so don't overdo it! You're aiming for tender and juicy, not dry.
06
While the salmon is baking, whisk together your buffalo sauce, melted butter, and the optional honey in a clean bowl. The butter adds richness and helps the sauce cling to the salmon, while the honey just takes the sharpest edge off the heat, creating a more rounded flavor.
07
As soon as the salmon bites come out of the oven, carefully transfer them back to the mixing bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the buffalo sauce mixture over the hot salmon and toss gently to coat. The heat from the salmon will help the sauce soak in beautifully.
08
Now for the final touch! Transfer your saucy buffalo salmon bites to a serving platter. You can drizzle the remaining sauce over the top for an extra kick and a glossy finish. Serve them immediately while they're still warm and wonderfully fragrant.