How To Cook Frozen Salmon In An Air Fryer

Cooking salmon from frozen in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. It's convenient, as there's no need to defrost the salmon first, and it can be ready to eat in under 20 minutes. You can cook the salmon fillets from frozen, and then add seasoning and put them back in the air fryer to finish cooking. This method produces salmon that's flaky, tender, and moist with a slightly crispy edge.

No need to defrost

You can cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer, and there is no need to defrost it first. It is a quick and easy option for a healthy, flavorful, and flaky dinner. The air fryer does a great job of cooking the fish perfectly and keeping it moist and delicious. It is also a versatile dish, and you can eat it with a variety of sides or use it in other recipes.

To cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen salmon fillets, preferably skin-side down, directly into the air fryer basket. You can use salmon with or without the skin, but leaving the skin on can help prevent the salmon from overcooking. However, the skin will not be crispy. For even cooking, try to use salmon fillets that are a similar size and thickness.

Cook the salmon for 7 minutes to defrost it. While the salmon is defrosting, prepare the marinade or seasoning by whisking together ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or flavors. You can also add lemon slices or fresh herbs on top of the salmon as it cooks for extra flavor.

After 7 minutes, brush the defrosted salmon with the marinade or seasoning. Place the salmon back into the air fryer and cook for another 6 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The total cook time for frozen salmon in an air fryer can range from 12 to 18 minutes.

To ensure the salmon is fully cooked, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The recommended temperature for food safety is 145 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you can cook the salmon to medium-rare, around 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, for a more tender texture. The salmon should be opaque in color and flaky when cooked.

Cook time and temperature

Cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy and delicious meal. The convenience of this method is that you can cook the salmon straight from frozen without having to defrost it first, saving you time and effort. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon fillets and your desired level of doneness, but generally, it will take around 12 to 20 minutes.

To ensure the salmon is cooked properly, it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The recommended internal temperature for food safety is 145°F, but if you prefer your salmon medium-rare, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 125-135°F. It's important to note that the USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F for salmon, especially if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.

When cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 390°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the salmon by brushing it with olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil spray of your choice. It is recommended to place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket to prevent overcooking.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon fillets. For thinner fillets, cook for 7 minutes, then check the internal temperature. If the salmon has reached 135°F or higher, you can take it out and let it rest for 5 minutes – the temperature will continue to rise to 145°F. If the salmon is not yet at the desired temperature, put it back in the air fryer and check every 1-2 minutes until it reaches the desired doneness. For thicker fillets, the total cooking time can be up to 18 minutes.

To add flavor to your salmon, you can brush it with a marinade or seasoning blend before or after cooking. A simple seasoning blend can include olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne. You can also add fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro, or a sprinkle of brown sugar for a sweet glaze.

Flaky, tender, and crispy

Cooking salmon from frozen in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy, flavorful, and flaky meal. The best part? You can have it ready in under 20 minutes with no thawing required!

To achieve the perfect flaky, tender, and crispy salmon, start by preheating your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your salmon fillets by brushing them with olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil spray of your choice. It is recommended to place the salmon fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket to prevent overcooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, cook the frozen salmon for about 7 minutes. During this time, you can prepare a simple spice blend by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. After the initial 7 minutes, remove the salmon from the air fryer and generously sprinkle the spice blend over the fillets.

Place the salmon back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 6 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit at its thickest point. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. The fillets should be opaque in color and flake easily when gently pressed with a fork.

For a more tender texture, you can cook the salmon to a lower internal temperature of 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that the USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety, especially if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.

With this simple method, you can enjoy flaky, tender, and crispy salmon cooked from frozen in your air fryer. It's a convenient, healthy, and delicious option for busy weeknights or whenever you're short on time!

Seasoning and ingredients

When it comes to seasoning and ingredients, the options are endless. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with additional spices and sauces.

A basic seasoning of salt and pepper is a classic choice, and you can brush the salmon with olive oil or avocado oil to keep the fish moist. You can also add some lemon slices on top of the salmon as it cooks to infuse it with extra flavour. If you don't have fresh lemons, a drizzle of bottled lemon juice will do the trick.

For something a little different, you can create a marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne, and salt. Brush this mixture onto the salmon fillets before cooking. Alternatively, you can cook the salmon without seasoning for a few minutes, and then brush on the marinade once it starts to thaw.

If you're feeling adventurous, add some brown sugar and maple syrup to your seasoning for a delicious, sweet glaze. Or, try grating some garlic into your marinade for a unique flavour profile.

Health benefits

Yes, you can cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy way to have a healthy and delicious meal. The convenience of air fryer frozen salmon is hard to beat. It is ready in under 20 minutes and you don't even have to defrost the salmon first!

Salmon is considered a superfood due to its rich nutrient content. It is an excellent source of lean protein and is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are well studied for their role in heart health and cardiovascular disease prevention. Additionally, freezing helps to lock in nutrition, preserving nutrients such as protein, fat, and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A and D.

Salmon is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin D, and B vitamins. It is naturally gluten-free and low carb, making it suitable for special diets such as Whole 30, paleo, and keto.

The versatility of salmon allows for it to be incorporated into various dishes, making it a healthy and tasty addition to your meals.

Frequently asked questions