Air-Fryer Teriyaki Fish: A Quick, Crispy Delight

You can definitely teriyaki fish in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to cook a tasty, healthy meal in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer's dry, convection heat crisps up the fish, leaving it tender, flaky, and moist. You can use salmon or cod, and there are plenty of recipes online to choose from, with a range of teriyaki sauces to suit different dietary needs.

Teriyaki sauce ingredients and substitutes

Teriyaki sauce is a versatile and flavorful Japanese sauce that can be used in various ways to add a sweet and savoury taste to your dishes. The primary ingredients include soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake to create a distinctively sharp taste, with Westernised versions incorporating honey, garlic, and ginger. Here is a list of ingredients and substitutes for making teriyaki sauce:

Ingredients:

• Soy sauce – use low-sodium soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos instead.
• Mirin – a popular Japanese sweet rice cooking wine. Substitute with rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine, dry sherry wine, or a pinch of sugar.
• Sake – any Japanese cooking sake will work. Substitute with rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine, or dry sherry wine.
• Sugar – use white granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, cane sugar, or molasses.
• Cornstarch – acts as a thickening agent. Substitute with potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot starch.
• Garlic – fresh garlic adds depth of flavour. Substitute with garlic powder.
• Ginger – fresh ginger adds a zing. Substitute with ginger powder.
• Sesame oil – adds depth of flavour.

Method:

Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for about 4-10 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and let it cool. You can use the sauce right away or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The air fryer temperature and cooking time for teriyaki fish can vary depending on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the desired level of doneness. However, most recipes recommend cooking teriyaki fish in the air fryer at a temperature between 375°F and 400°F. For the cooking time, anywhere from 6 to 10 minutes is typically sufficient, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

For salmon, it is recommended to cook it at 400°F for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. You can check the doneness of the salmon by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the filet; it should read an internal temperature of 145°F when fully cooked.

For Pacific cod, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. The thickest part of the cod fillet should register an internal temperature of 130°F on an instant-read thermometer when it is medium.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your fish while it is cooking to avoid overcooking. Additionally, if you are cooking frozen fish, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

Marinating the salmon

Firstly, it is important to pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This ensures the marinade sticks to the fish and also helps to clean it. If you are using fresh salmon, check for and remove any remaining pin bones with tweezers. Frozen salmon fillets should be thoroughly defrosted before this step.

Next, prepare the teriyaki marinade. In a small bowl, combine the teriyaki sauce ingredients and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. The basic ingredients for the marinade are soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, black pepper and cornflour. However, you can also add your own twist with ingredients such as sake, mirin, coconut aminos, honey or maple syrup.

Once the marinade is ready, pour some into a shallow dish and place the salmon fillets skin-side up. Rub the marinade all over the salmon and leave to marinate for 10 to 30 minutes. Do not exceed one hour, as this may affect the texture of the salmon.

While the salmon is marinating, you can prepare the air fryer basket. Line it with parchment paper or an air fryer liner to make cleanup easier and prevent sticking. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

After the salmon has finished marinating, place the fillets skin-side down in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Discard any leftover marinade. Now the salmon is ready to be cooked to perfection!

Air fryer basket preparation

Preparing your air fryer basket is an important step in the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your basket is ready for cooking teriyaki fish:

Step 1: Clean the Basket

First, ensure your air fryer basket is clean and dry. If you are reusing the basket after previous cooking, make sure to wash it thoroughly and dry it before proceeding. This will ensure that no residual food or grease affects the taste of your teriyaki fish.

Step 2: Line with Parchment Paper

Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is crucial as it makes cleanup easier and helps prevent the fish from sticking to the basket. Parchment paper creates a barrier between the fish and the basket, making it less likely for the fish to tear or stick during cooking.

Step 3: Spray with Cooking Oil

Once you have lined the basket with parchment paper, spray it with a light coating of cooking oil. You can use a non-stick cooking spray or brush a thin layer of neutral oil onto the parchment paper. This extra step will further ensure that your fish doesn't stick to the basket and will help create a crispy exterior on your fish.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically around 400°F (204°C), before placing the fish inside. This step is important as it ensures the cooking process begins immediately, helping to create a crispy exterior and moist interior for your fish.

Step 5: Place the Fish in the Basket

Now it's time to place your fish fillets in the basket. Arrange the fillets in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking or a soggy exterior.

Step 6: Add Seasonings or Marinade

If you are using a dry rub or seasoning, apply it to the fish fillets before placing them in the basket. If you are using a marinade, follow the specific instructions for your chosen recipe, but typically you will marinate the fish before placing it in the basket.

Step 7: Cook the Fish

Follow the cooking instructions for your chosen recipe, typically cooking the fish for around 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Remember to adjust the timing as needed, checking the fish regularly to avoid overcooking.

By following these steps, your air fryer basket will be ready for cooking delicious and crispy teriyaki fish!

Storing and reheating leftovers

Storing and reheating teriyaki fish leftovers is a simple process. Teriyaki fish should be consumed within three days of cooking for optimal taste and to ensure food safety.

Storing Leftovers

Allow the cooked teriyaki fish to cool to room temperature, but do not leave it out for more than two hours. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

Reheating in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Transfer the leftover teriyaki fish to the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. Spray the fish with a bit of olive oil and cook for about 6 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through to ensure even heating.

Reheating in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an oven-safe dish with aluminum foil and place the leftover teriyaki fish on it. Reheat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Reheating in the Microwave

Place the leftover teriyaki fish on a microwave-safe dish and heat on low power for 30 seconds. Flip the fish and heat for another 15 seconds. Repeat this process, checking and flipping the fish every 30 seconds, until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Reheating in a Skillet

Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the leftover teriyaki fish in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping the fish every 30 seconds, until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Tips for Storing and Reheating

• To maintain crispness, wipe off any excess sauce from the fish before storing and reheating.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket when reheating, as this can affect even heating and crispness.
• Always ensure your leftovers are thoroughly heated before consuming, aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F.
• While teriyaki fish can be safely reheated multiple ways, using the air fryer is a great option to maintain crispness.

Frequently asked questions