Air Fryer Hack: Cooking Frozen Salmon

Cooking salmon from frozen in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy and delicious meal. With no need to defrost the salmon, you can have a flaky, tender, and moist fillet ready in under 20 minutes. The convenience of this method is hard to beat, and it delivers a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides or used in other recipes. By following a few simple steps and using basic ingredients, you can create a nutritious and flavorful salmon dish that will impress.

No need to defrost

You can cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer with no need to defrost it first. This is a great option for a quick and easy dinner that is ready in under 20 minutes. The convenience of air fryer frozen salmon is hard to beat, and you will have a delicious, healthy, and flavorful meal in no time.

The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 important to place the salmon skin side down in the air fryer basket to prevent overcooking. You can also season the salmon with simple spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the frozen salmon fillets in a single layer inside and cook for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, you can sprinkle the top of the salmon with the spice blend and place it back in the air fryer for an additional 6-9 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon and can range from 12 to 18 minutes.

The salmon is done 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 salmon should also flake easily when pressed gently with a fork. If it is not flaky yet, you can let it cook for an additional 2 minutes and then check again.

With this method, you can have tender, flaky, and flavorful salmon that is moist and juicy, with no need to defrost the salmon beforehand.

Skin on or skin off?

Whether you choose to cook your salmon with the skin on or off is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on while cooking helps to insulate the fish, keeping it moist and holding it together. However, the skin will not become crispy, and you can always remove it before eating if you prefer.

If you choose to cook your salmon with the skin on, place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket. This will prevent the salmon from overcooking.

If you prefer to remove the skin before cooking, you can simply cut it off with a sharp knife.

Regardless of whether you choose to cook your salmon with the skin on or off, the cooking time and temperature will remain the same. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (204°C) and cook the salmon for a total of 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness.

For food safety, it is recommended to cook salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). However, if you prefer your salmon more tender, you can cook it to medium-rare, around 125-135°F (52-57°C).

To check the doneness of your salmon, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet. The salmon is ready when it is opaque, yet firm, with a slightly pink center, and the meat easily flakes when gently scraped with a fork.

Seasoning and flavouring

Once the salmon has thawed in the air fryer, open the basket and spray or brush the fillets with oil or cooking spray. This will prevent the fish from sticking to the basket and help the seasoning stick to the fish. You can also add lemon slices or a drizzle of bottled lemon juice to the salmon before returning it to the air fryer.

If you're feeling adventurous, try a combination of salty and sweet flavours by using brown sugar and soy sauce. Or, for a spicy kick, add some cayenne, Cajun seasoning, or blackened seasoning. For a citrusy twist, grate some lemon or lime zest on top of the salmon before cooking.

Remember, it's best to season the salmon after the first few minutes of cooking, once it has started to thaw. This will ensure that the seasoning sticks to the fish.

Temperature and timing

The temperature and timing of cooking salmon in an air fryer depend on whether you prefer your salmon to be well-done or medium-rare. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145ºF, and this is the temperature to aim for if you are pregnant or immunocompromised. However, most chefs recommend cooking salmon to medium-rare, with a temperature of 125-135ºF. It is worth noting that the salmon's internal temperature will continue to increase slightly even after you stop cooking.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon fillets and your preferred level of doneness. As a general rule of thumb, cooking salmon in an air fryer takes around 10-20 minutes, with most sources giving a more specific range of 12-18 minutes. If your salmon fillet is particularly thick, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

To ensure the salmon is fully cooked, it should reach an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC). You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, especially if you are cooking thicker pieces of salmon. If you prefer your salmon to be medium-rare, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 125-135ºF.

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (199-204°C) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Place the frozen fillets directly in your air fryer basket, skin-side down. This prevents the salmon from overcooking, although the skin will not be crispy.
• Cook the frozen salmon for 7 minutes.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil, avocado oil, or another cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper and garlic powder to taste.
• Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for another 6-9 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 135-145°F and flakes easily when scraped with a fork.

Tender and flaky

You can definitely cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great option for a quick and easy dinner with minimal prep and almost zero cleanup. The best part? You don't have to defrost the salmon before cooking it in the air fryer, which means less time in the kitchen and more time for you.

To get that tender and flaky texture we all love, there are a few simple steps to follow. First, preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare the salmon by brushing it with olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil spray of your choice. Be sure to place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket; this will help prevent overcooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the salmon. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, the cooking time will vary, but on average, it should take around 12 to 20 minutes for your salmon to be perfectly flaky and tender. For thinner fillets, check the salmon after 5 minutes, and for thicker fillets, aim for the longer end of the cooking time range.

While the salmon is cooking, you can prepare a simple seasoning blend. A classic combination is garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest for a bright, citrusy note. If you're feeling adventurous, throw in some fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different spices and herbs to find your perfect flavor profile.

When the salmon is close to being done, you can check its progress by using a fork to gently flake the flesh. If it flakes easily, your salmon is ready! The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety, but if you prefer your salmon more tender, you can aim for a lower temperature of around 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy tender and flaky air-fried salmon any night of the week. It's a convenient, healthy, and delicious way to prepare salmon without spending hours in the kitchen. So, the next time you're wondering what's for dinner, remember that frozen salmon and your trusty air fryer are a match made in culinary heaven.

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