1. Prepare the Salmon:

• Pat dry the salmon pieces with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This is extremely important for achieving perfectly crispy bang bang salmon bites.
• In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the salmon pieces evenly and toss to coat lightly.
• Allow the seasoned salmon to rest for 5 minutes at room temperature while you prepare the breading station and bang bang sauce.

2. Make the Bang Bang Sauce:

• Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, and garlic powder in a medium bowl until smooth.
• Half of the bang bang sauce: coat the crispy salmon bites with this after they’ve been cooked, and reserve half to use as a dipping sauce.
• Cover the dipping half in the fridge as you prepare the salmon.

3. Prepare the Breading Station:

• Have three shallow pans in a row: fill one with flour; the second one with beaten eggs and water mixed; and the third one with panko breadcrumbs and paprika mixed.
• Work in batches using a few fillets of salmon at a time: coat the salmon first in flour (tap off excess), then in egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
• Put the breaded crispy bang bang salmon bites on a clean plate or baking sheet as you complete coating all pieces.

4. Cook the Salmon Bites:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until it is shimmering but not smoking (around 350°F/175°C if using a thermometer).
• Working in batches to prevent overcrowding, add the breaded salmon bites carefully to the hot oil.
• Cook 2-3 minutes per side, gently turning with tongs until all sides are golden brown and crispy, and the salmon cooked through but still moist on the inside.
• Drain the fried crispy bang bang salmon bites with a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

5. Finishing and Serving:

• While still warm, toss crispy salmon bites into a large bowl with half the bang bang sauce made until they are lightly coated (or toss the sauce on top of bites).
• Arrange the crispy bang bang salmon bites on a serving plate.
• Garnish with slivers of green onion, sesame seeds, and cilantro leaves if desired.
• Serve hot immediately with lime wedges and save bang bang sauce for dipping.