Air-Fried Salmon Fillets: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Cooking salmon fillets in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. With an air fryer, you can achieve a tender, flaky, and moist salmon fillet with a crispy exterior in under 15 minutes. The air fryer's even heat circulation cooks the salmon fillets evenly without the need for flipping, making it a hassle-free cooking method. The key to a well-cooked air fryer salmon is in the seasoning and ensuring the fillets are of similar thickness for even cooking.

Seasoning and ingredients

The seasoning and ingredients you'll need to cook salmon fillets in an air fryer are simple and flexible. You can use any seasoning or marinade you like, but here are some specific suggestions:

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets: You can use skin-on or skinless salmon fillets. Skin-on salmon may hold together more easily and yield moister, flakier results.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter will help the seasoning stick and keep the salmon moist.
• Salt and pepper: Simple but essential seasonings.
• Lemon: Lemon wedges or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can add a bright, acidic note to your salmon.

Seasoning:

• Garlic: Fresh garlic can burn in the air fryer, so it's best to use garlic powder.
• Paprika: This adds colour to your salmon and a smoky aroma if you use smoked paprika.
• Brown sugar or honey: These ingredients add a touch of sweetness and help the salmon caramelize.
• Spices: In addition to smoked paprika, onion powder and ginger powder can enhance the flavour and aroma of your salmon.

Marinade:

• Soy sauce: Whisk together with brown sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Dijon mustard: Tangy and zippy, this pairs well with the sweetness of honey or brown sugar.

Simply mix your chosen seasonings and/or marinade ingredients, rub or spoon them over the salmon fillets, and you're ready to start cooking!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for salmon fillets in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the thickness of the fillets, the size of the air fryer, and personal preference for doneness. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness. The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F, while others suggest 135°F for medium doneness.

When cooking fresh salmon fillets, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. For frozen salmon fillets, preheat to 360°F. If your salmon fillets have skin, place them skin-side down in the air fryer. Cook the salmon for 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. For thinner fillets, cook for 7 to 8 minutes, and for thicker fillets, cook for 9 to 10 minutes. Check the salmon with a fork to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. If it needs more time, you can put it back in the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

It is important to note that air fryers can vary in terms of temperature and cooking time, so adjustments may be necessary based on your specific air fryer model. Additionally, if you are cooking multiple fillets, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Cooking from frozen

You can cook salmon fillets straight from frozen in an air fryer—there's no need to defrost them first. This is a great option if you're looking for a quick, convenient, and healthy meal.

To cook frozen salmon fillets in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 390°F. If your salmon fillets have any excess ice, remove it, and place the fillets directly into the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Brush the salmon with olive oil or avocado oil, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Place the lemon slices over the fillets, or squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top.

Cook the salmon for around 7 minutes, then brush the fillets with a sauce or glaze—a simple combination of lemon juice, oil, and seasonings works well. Pop the salmon back into the air fryer and cook for another 6 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The salmon is ready when it's flaky and has an internal temperature of 145°F.

Frozen salmon fillets can be cooked in an air fryer in under 20 minutes, making this a perfect option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Crispy skin

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a great way to get that crispy skin and juicy, flaky flesh. It's also quick, simple, and healthy.

First, you'll want to pat your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This will help the skin to crisp up. If you need to cut your salmon, place it skin-side-down on the cutting board and use a sharp knife. Next, brush or drizzle olive oil over the salmon. You only need a teaspoon of oil, as the air fryer requires very little. You can also add a teaspoon of mustard to each fillet, spreading it in a thin layer.

Now it's time to season the salmon. You can use salt and pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, rosemary, herbs de Provence, Chinese five-spice, or any dried herbs or spices you like. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice, which goes really well with salmon.

Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side up. This will expose the skin to the circulating hot air, helping it to crisp up. If you don't like salmon skin, you can cook the fillets skinless, and they will still get nice and crispy on the outside. Cook the salmon for 6 to 11 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. You can check if the salmon is done by using a fork to see if it flakes easily.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy-skinned salmon cooked in an air fryer.

Storing and reheating

If you want to freeze your cooked salmon, make sure it has cooled completely, then place it on parchment paper in a storage container to prevent it from sticking to the sides. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheating salmon can be a little tricky, as it tends to dry out easily. To prevent this, reheat your salmon low and slow, either in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.

Frequently asked questions