Air Fryer Foil-Wrapped Salmon: Do's And Don'ts

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. While some recipes recommend wrapping salmon in foil before placing it in the air fryer, others advise against it, as it can prevent the fish from crisping up. However, using foil can make cleanup easier and help lock in moisture and flavour.

Why you shouldn't wrap salmon in foil in an air fryer

While wrapping salmon in foil before placing it in the air fryer is a viable option, there are several reasons why you might not want to do this.

Firstly, wrapping salmon in foil will prevent the skin from crisping up. If you prefer your salmon with crispy skin, it is best to avoid foil.

Secondly, wrapping the salmon in foil will make it harder for you to achieve the desired level of doneness. Salmon wrapped in foil tends to cook more slowly and evenly, which can make it difficult to get the crispy edges that some people prefer.

Thirdly, wrapping salmon in foil can create more waste and be less environmentally friendly. By forgoing the foil, you reduce the amount of waste generated and can make your cooking process more sustainable.

Finally, wrapping salmon in foil can affect the flavour and texture of the dish. Air frying salmon directly in the basket allows for more air circulation, resulting in a crispier exterior and juicier interior.

In conclusion, while wrapping salmon in foil before air frying is a personal preference, there are several reasons why you might choose not to do so. By avoiding foil, you can achieve crispier skin, control the doneness more effectively, reduce waste, and enhance the flavour and texture of your dish.

How to cook salmon in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil (or your choice of oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Dried dill
• Lemon (optional)

Method

First, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.

Line your air fryer basket with aluminium foil and preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Brush or spray the salmon fillets with olive oil and season with garlic powder and dried dill.

Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook at 400°F for 6-11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

The salmon is done when it registers an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

Tips

• It is not necessary to wrap the salmon in foil, as this will prevent it from crisping.
• There is no need to flip the salmon while cooking.
• You can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer, but increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• For easy cleanup, do not oil the foil if you want to remove the salmon skin after cooking.

How to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer

Cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer is a convenient and time-saving method for preparing this nutritious fish. You can cook it straight from the freezer, and it's ready in under 15 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (204°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures the appliance is hot enough when you add the salmon.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon

• Remove any ice or excess water from the frozen salmon fillets using paper towels. This step helps the salmon cook evenly and prevents it from getting mushy.
• Place the frozen salmon fillets, skin-side down, directly into the air fryer basket.

Step 3: Initial Cook

Cook the frozen salmon for around 7 minutes. This step is to defrost the fish, and it won't be fully cooked yet.

Step 4: Season and Add Flavor

• Brush the salmon with olive oil or avocado oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper.
• Lay lemon slices or thin lemon wedges over the fillets for extra flavor.

Step 5: Final Cook

Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-7 minutes, depending on how well done you like your salmon and the thickness of your fillets. Thicker fillets will take longer to cook.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

• The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (62.7°C). However, if you prefer your salmon moister and less dry, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C).
• The salmon should be crisp and slightly browned on the edges and should flake easily when scraped gently with a fork.

Step 7: Serve

• You can serve the salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice or a sauce like maple Dijon sauce, bacon aioli, or teriyaki sauce.
• Enjoy your perfectly cooked, tender, and flaky frozen salmon from the air fryer!

How to remove salmon skin when cooking in an air fryer

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious, healthy meal. While it is not necessary to wrap salmon in foil when using an air fryer, you may choose to do so to seal in moisture and flavour. If you prefer to serve your salmon without the skin, there are a few methods you can use to remove it before or after cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Before Cooking: You can remove the skin from fresh salmon using fish tweezers, a sharp knife, or your fingers. Peel off the skin gently to leave as much flesh on the fish as possible.
• After Cooking: If you are cooking the salmon with the skin on, you can remove the skin after cooking. The cooked salmon will flake off easily with a fork, and you can let your guests peel away the skin themselves. Alternatively, you can use tongs or a fork to carefully remove the skin from the top of the cooked salmon.
• Crisping the Skin: If you like your salmon skin crispy, you can remove it from the fish once the desired internal temperature is reached, and place it back in the air fryer to crisp up. Place a metal heat-safe trivet or rack on top of the skin to prevent it from flying around the air fryer and place it back in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-4 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved.
• Serving: You can serve the salmon skin on top or underneath the salmon portions. Serving it underneath makes it easier to cut through, but placing it on top allows everyone to see the crispy skin.
• Storing: If you are not serving the salmon skin right away, it can be stored in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. However, it may lose some of its crispness and the fishy taste will become stronger over time.

By following these steps, you can easily remove the skin from your salmon when cooking in an air fryer and choose to enjoy it crispy or not at all!

What to serve with air fryer salmon

There are several side dishes that go well with air fryer salmon. Here are some ideas:

• Asparagus: A classic pairing with salmon, you can prepare this alongside the salmon in the air fryer or go for grilled or roasted asparagus.
• Other Vegetables: Any vegetable will work with salmon. For comfort food, try roasted fingerling potatoes, or go for something green like sautéed Brussels sprouts.
• Salad: An ideal side dish, especially Asian noodle salad or a classic green arugula salad.
• Whole Grains: Add some fibre and healthy carbohydrates with a serving of instant pot brown rice.
• Rice: Try Lebanese rice or turmeric rice salad.
• Couscous: Mediterranean couscous salad is a great option.
• Farro: This grain pairs well with salmon for a filling meal.

You can also cook certain sides in the air fryer, such as frozen broccoli, potatoes and carrots, or frozen asparagus.

Frequently asked questions