Tillie Doyle
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy, delicious meal. With an air fryer, you can achieve a tender, flaky centre and a seared, crispy exterior in under 15 minutes. The high-powered convection cooking of an air fryer means that you can cook salmon without drying it out, and without the need for added oil or fat. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the make and model of your air fryer, the thickness of your salmon fillets, and how well-done you like your salmon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 390°F to 400°F |
| Preheat time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Cooking time | 6 to 11 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 135°F to 145°F |
| Rest time | A few minutes |
| Fillet thickness | 1 inch |
| Glaze | Brush in the last 1-2 minutes or after cooking |
| Glaze temperature | 350°F |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your salmon cooks evenly, giving it a more crisped edge. To preheat your air fryer, start by setting it to the desired temperature. For cooking salmon, most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer between 390°F and 400°F. However, if you are using a glaze, it is advisable to set your air fryer to 350°F to prevent burning.
Allow your air fryer to preheat for approximately 5 minutes. This duration ensures that the appliance reaches the set temperature and gives you a good indication of when to add your seasoned salmon. It is important to note that different air fryer models may have varying preheat times, so adjust accordingly. During this time, you can prepare your salmon fillets by patting them dry with paper towels and brushing them with melted butter or olive oil.
The preheat function on your air fryer is a valuable tool to achieve the desired doneness and texture for your salmon. By allowing the appliance to reach the optimal temperature, you can ensure that your salmon cooks evenly and efficiently. This step also helps to reduce the overall cooking time, making it a quick and convenient option for preparing salmon.
When the air fryer has finished preheating, you can proceed to place your seasoned salmon fillets inside. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the salmon in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cooking in batches is crucial to maintaining even cooking and achieving the desired crispness.
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Season the salmon
Seasoning salmon is a simple process that can elevate the flavor of your fish. The first step is to pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Removing the moisture will help ensure that your salmon doesn't turn out soggy. Next, brush the fillets with a fat such as melted butter or olive oil. This step will help the seasonings stick to the fish.
Now it's time to add the seasonings. A simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika will add flavor to your salmon without being too spicy. You can mix these seasonings and then sprinkle them generously over the fillets, or you can brush the fillets with butter or oil and then dip them in the seasoning mixture. If you're using fresh garlic, mince or press the cloves and mix them with the other seasonings. You can also use jarred garlic or garlic powder.
If you want to get creative, you can experiment with additional seasonings. Brown sugar or honey will give your salmon a subtle sweetness and help it caramelize. Dijon mustard will add moisture and flavor. Smoked paprika will give your salmon a smoky aroma. Onion powder is another option to enhance the flavor of your fish.
Once your salmon fillets are seasoned, they're ready to go into the air fryer.
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Glaze the salmon
There are many different ways to glaze salmon before or after cooking it in an air fryer. For a teriyaki glaze, brush the salmon with teriyaki sauce in the last couple of minutes of cooking. You can also brush on the glaze at the end, waiting until the last 1-2 minutes and letting the heat slightly caramelize it. If you want to cook with a glaze from the start, reduce the air fryer temperature to 350°F and cook a little longer.
For a smoky BBQ glaze, swap paprika for 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika and add 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar for a sweet, smoky flavour. For a spicy honey glaze, drizzle with 1 teaspoon of hot honey after cooking for a little heat and sweetness. You can also just add the glaze after cooking by drizzling it over the salmon once it's done, keeping it flavorful without the risk of burning.
You can also try a sweet and spicy spice rub with brown sugar or honey to help the salmon caramelize and give it a crispy exterior and subtle sweetness. Dijon mustard also adds moisture and flavour. For a quick glaze right before cooking, brush the tops of the salmon fillets with melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
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Cook the salmon
Firstly, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This will help to ensure that your fish doesn't end up soggy. Next, brush the fillets with melted butter or olive oil. You can then season the salmon. Most recipes suggest a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. However, you can use any seasoning or marinade you like. You could also add some Dijon mustard to keep the salmon moist and add flavour.
Now, you can place the salmon in the air fryer. If you are cooking skin-on salmon, place the fillets skin-side down. You can cook two fillets at a time, but don't overcrowd the basket as this can prevent the salmon from crisping up. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F-400°F and cook the salmon for 6-11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, or 135°F if you prefer it medium-rare. It should be flaky when prodded with a fork.
If you are cooking frozen salmon, you may need to adjust the cooking time. You can also glaze the salmon with teriyaki sauce, BBQ sauce, or honey in the last couple of minutes of cooking.
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Store and reheat salmon
Storing and reheating salmon is an important part of ensuring that your delicious air-fried salmon stays tasty and safe to eat. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it right:
Storing Salmon:
It is important to store leftover salmon properly to prevent food spoilage and maintain its quality. Place the leftover salmon in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It can be kept fresh for up to 3 to 4 days. If you plan to store it for a more extended period, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Reheating Salmon in an Air Fryer:
The air fryer is an excellent appliance for reheating salmon while retaining its moisture and flavour. Here are the steps to reheat your leftover salmon:
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and allow it to preheat. This step ensures even reheating.
- Prepare the salmon: While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover salmon out of the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature. If your salmon has skin, place it skin-side down on a plate or in a microwave-safe dish.
- Season the salmon: Sprinkle your choice of seasonings and herbs over the salmon fillets. Popular options include garlic powder, lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper. You can also drizzle lemon juice or melted butter for an extra burst of flavour.
- Wrap the salmon: Take a sheet of aluminum foil and gently wrap it around the salmon. Ensure the foil is sealed tightly enough to allow hot air to circulate and cook the fish evenly.
- Place the salmon in the air fryer: Once the air fryer is preheated, place the wrapped salmon in the air fryer basket, skin-side down.
- Reheat the salmon: Reheat the salmon for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is heated through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon and your air fryer model.
- Check the internal temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon. It should reach 145°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the salmon is thoroughly reheated, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve it hot.
By following these steps, you can enjoy your leftover salmon again without sacrificing its flavour, moisture, or texture. The air fryer's rapid cooking process helps retain moisture, and the aluminum foil wrapping further prevents the salmon from drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F to 400°F for 5 minutes. Then, cook the salmon at this temperature for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Brush the fillets with olive oil or melted butter, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (or 135°F for medium-rare). The fish will also easily flake with a fork.
