Air Fryer Salmon Jerky: A Tasty Treat?

Salmon jerky is a tasty, healthy snack that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. It is also easy to make at home, especially if you have an air fryer. You can use fresh or frozen salmon fillets, but make sure to remove all the bones. Marinate the salmon in a mixture of spices and sauces like soy sauce, lemon juice, and brown sugar for up to 24 hours. Then, slice the salmon into thin strips and place them in the air fryer for about 2-3 hours at a low temperature, flipping them halfway through. You can also make salmon jerky in a conventional oven, but it will take longer.

Marinating the salmon

Firstly, it is important to start with high-quality salmon. Look for wild-caught, sustainably sourced salmon, preferably with the skin on. The skin will help keep the meat together during the marinating process. Before marinating, ensure that the salmon is free of any pin bones. These can be removed using your fingers or needle-nose pliers. Rinse the salmon fillet and pat it dry with a paper towel.

Next, prepare the marinade. While there are various marinade recipes, a common ingredient is soy sauce, which provides a savoury, umami flavour. Other ingredients may include lemon juice, brown sugar, peppercorns, lemon zest, liquid smoke, celery seeds, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. You can also experiment with different flavours, such as sesame mustard, honey sriracha, or barbecue coffee spice blends. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or a ziplock bag.

Now, it's time to cut the salmon into thin strips. The thickness of the strips can vary from 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Cutting the salmon into thin strips ensures that the marinade penetrates the fish evenly and also reduces the drying time in the air fryer. Place the salmon strips into the marinade, ensuring that they are fully coated. Cover the container or seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator.

The salmon should be left to marinate for at least one hour, but for more intense flavour, it can be marinated for up to 24 hours. During this time, it's a good idea to flip the salmon strips or mix them around a few times to ensure that they absorb the marinade evenly. After the desired marinating time has passed, remove the salmon strips from the marinade and place them on a plate, patting them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess liquid.

Your salmon is now ready to be placed in the air fryer! Follow the remaining steps for air-frying, and soon you'll be enjoying delicious, crispy, and chewy salmon jerky.

Choosing the right salmon

When choosing salmon to make jerky, it's important to select a fatty fish. Wild-caught salmon is generally recommended over farm-raised, as it tends to have a better taste and a darker red colour. Look for wild and sustainably caught Alaskan salmon, which is known for its high levels of healthy omega-3 fats.

The salmon fillet you choose should be fresh, and it's important to check for pin bones. These are hard, white bones that can be removed easily with needle-nose pliers. They are easier to feel and remove if the salmon is still partially frozen. It's best to remove the bones before cutting the salmon into strips for jerky.

You can choose to remove the skin from the salmon fillet or leave it on. Leaving the skin on can help keep the meat together during the marinating and drying process, but it may be easier to remove the skin before cutting the salmon into strips. If you leave the skin on, it will peel off easily after the jerky is finished drying.

When cutting the salmon, it's important to slice it into strips about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cutting the salmon from the tail to the head is recommended, as cutting from top to bottom may cause the jerky to fall apart.

Preparing the salmon for the air fryer

Once you have cut the salmon into strips, it is time to marinate the fish. Place the strips in a bowl and add your choice of marinade. A simple marinade can be made by combining light or low-sodium soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar or honey, peppercorns or paprika, lemon zest, liquid smoke, celery seeds, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. You can also experiment with other ingredients like maple syrup, mustard, or sriracha. Ensure that the salmon is well-coated, then cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for 1 to 3 hours, or even up to 6 hours or an entire day for more intense flavour.

After the salmon has finished marinating, remove the strips from the bowl and place them on a plate, patting them dry with a paper towel. Now your salmon is ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Air fryer settings

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. While not all air fryers have a preheat setting, it is beneficial to give it some time to warm up before adding your salmon. This helps ensure even cooking and gives a crispier edge to the salmon.

When it comes to temperature settings, the ideal temperature for making salmon jerky varies slightly across different sources. One recipe suggests setting the air fryer to 180°F (or the lowest available temperature) and placing the salmon strips in a single layer in the basket. Another recipe recommends cooking the salmon jerky at 250°F, flipping the strips halfway through. A third recipe suggests dehydrating at 150°F for 6 hours and then increasing the temperature to 165°F for the final 2 hours.

It is worth noting that the temperature settings may depend on the specific model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines. Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon strips and the model of your air fryer. On average, you can expect the salmon jerky to be ready within 2 to 3 hours. However, it is important to keep an eye on it and adjust the time as needed.

To check if your salmon jerky is done, use a fork to see if the fish flakes off easily. If it does, then it's ready! If not, you can return it to the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until it reaches the desired doneness.

Remember, it is crucial to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the salmon in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.

Storing the salmon jerky

Storing salmon jerky is an important step in ensuring it remains tasty and safe to eat. There are several methods you can use to store your salmon jerky, depending on how long you want to keep it for and whether you have access to a refrigerator or freezer.

If you want to store your salmon jerky for a short period, you can simply keep it in a cool, dry place in a sealed container. This method will keep your jerky fresh for up to a week. However, if you want to extend the shelf life of your salmon jerky, you can refrigerate it. Refrigeration is a suitable option, especially in warmer climates, as it can help to inhibit the growth of bacteria and extend the freshness of your jerky.

For even longer storage, you can freeze your salmon jerky. Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of jerky, and when frozen correctly, it can last for several months. To freeze salmon jerky, use a freezer-safe, airtight bag or container, and be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Additionally, you can also explore alternative storage solutions such as canning or using a dip can. Canning involves vacuum-sealing the jerky in food-grade cans, which keeps it fresh for extended periods without refrigeration. On the other hand, storing jerky in a dip can is a convenient and portable solution, especially for camping trips or outdoor adventures.

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