Defrosting Salmon: Air Fryer Time And Tips

Air fryers are a convenient and time-saving method for preparing salmon straight from frozen. There is no need to defrost the salmon beforehand, and the cooking time is around 15 minutes in total. The salmon will be tender, flaky, and full of flavour.

How to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen salmon fillets
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon slices
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, dill, thyme)

Optional ingredients:

• Avocado oil
• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Garlic

Method:

• Before you start cooking, remove any ice or excess water from the frozen fillet. You can do this by patting it down with paper towels. This will allow the salmon to cook evenly and prevent it from becoming mushy.
• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F-400°F.
• Place the frozen salmon fillets directly into the air fryer basket, skin-side down.
• Cook the frozen salmon for 7 minutes to defrost.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay the lemon slices over the fillets in a single layer.
• Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for another 3-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and your desired level of doneness. The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 135°F-145°F and flakes easily when scraped with a fork.

Tips:

• The skin on salmon is edible, so you can choose to leave it on while cooking and remove it before eating. Cooking the salmon with the skin on helps to keep the fish moist and hold it together.
• The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F for food safety. However, chefs often recommend cooking salmon to medium, which is an internal temperature of 125°F-135°F.
• You can add a variety of seasonings and sauces to your salmon for extra flavour. For example, a maple Dijon sauce, or a drizzle of honey or lemon juice.
• You can also cook vegetables in the air fryer alongside the salmon. Add vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli or bell peppers, adjusting the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
• Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How long to defrost salmon in an air fryer

Defrosting salmon in an air fryer typically takes around 7 minutes at 390°F (199°C). However, this time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet and the specific air fryer model. For thinner fillets, you may need to reduce the defrosting time by a minute or two.

Once the salmon is defrosted, you can then proceed to cook it in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the fillets. For medium-rare salmon, an internal temperature of around 125°F is recommended, while 145°F is the standard for food safety.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for about 5 minutes. This ensures that your air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for cooking.

Step 2: Place the Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

Place the frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, preferably skin-side down. This placement helps keep the skin crispy and the flesh juicy. Cook the salmon at 390°F (199°C) for about 7 minutes to defrost it.

Step 3: Oil, Season, and Cook the Salmon

After defrosting, open the air fryer basket and spray or brush the salmon fillets with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil spray of your choice. This step helps prevent the salmon from sticking to the basket and adds a subtle flavor. Then, season the salmon with salt and pepper, or any other spices and herbs of your choice. Close the basket and continue to air fry for another 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness.

Step 4: Check the Internal Temperature

To ensure your salmon is cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The recommended temperature for food safety is 145°F, but if you prefer your salmon medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of around 125°F to 135°F.

Tips for Air Frying Frozen Salmon:

• It is recommended to use center-cut, thick salmon fillets for the best results.
• Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
• You can cook the salmon with or without the skin. Leaving the skin on helps keep the salmon moist and makes it easier to flip during cooking.
• If using skin-on salmon, place it skin-side down in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook one or two fillets at a time, depending on their size.
• Always check the internal temperature of the salmon to determine doneness, rather than relying solely on cooking time.
• For a tangy flavor, try using a marinade or sauce with garlic, lemon, and Dijon mustard.

The best temperature to defrost salmon in an air fryer

Defrosting salmon in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare a healthy meal. The ideal temperature for defrosting salmon in an air fryer is between 390°F and 400°F (199°C to 204°C).

How to Defrost Salmon in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 390°F and 400°F. Some recipes suggest preheating for 5 minutes, while others recommend following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Prepare the salmon: Remove any ice or excess water from the frozen salmon fillet by patting it dry with paper towels. This step ensures even cooking and prevents the salmon from becoming mushy.
• Initial defrost: Place the frozen salmon fillet(s) in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for around 7 minutes to defrost. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillet(s).
• Oil and season: After the initial defrost, open the air fryer basket and spray or brush the salmon with oil. Season with salt and pepper, or your preferred spices and herbs.
• Final cook: Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 to 9 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the fillet(s).

Tips for the Best Results:

• Select thicker fillets: Thicker salmon fillets, around 1 to 1.5 inches, tend to yield better results.
• Choose fatty fish: Frozen farm-raised Atlantic salmon, for example, has a higher fat content, reducing the chance of the salmon drying out during cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding: Cook 1 to 2 fillets at a time to ensure even cooking and to avoid overloading the air fryer.
• Check for doneness: The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (62.7°C). However, for a moister salmon fillet, some sources suggest cooking to an internal temperature of 125°F to 135°F.

By following these simple steps and tips, you can conveniently defrost and cook salmon in your air fryer, resulting in tender, flaky, and delicious salmon fillets.

How to tell if salmon is done

How to Tell If Your Salmon Is Done

The best way to check if your salmon is done is to use a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145ºF, and if you’re pregnant or immunocompromised, you should definitely follow that guideline.

However, at this temperature, your fish will be very well done and dry. Most chefs recommend cooking salmon to medium, with an internal temperature of 125-135ºF (remember, the temperature will continue to increase even after you stop cooking).

If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the doneness of your salmon by looking at it. The salmon should be crisp and slightly browned on the edges and should flake easily when scraped gently with a fork.

How to prevent salmon from drying out

To prevent your salmon from drying out in the air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for salmon, as well as some specific steps to follow during the cooking process.

Shopping for Salmon:

• Farmed salmon typically has more fat than wild salmon, which can lead to juicier fish.
• Try to buy salmon steaks or fillets that are of a similar size and shape. This ensures that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Cooking Salmon:

• Preheat your air fryer: This is an important step to ensure the outside of the salmon sears while the inside cooks, resulting in crispy skin and a moist interior.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking as the heat circulates around the food.
• Size of the fillets matters: Even if the fillets are a similar size, setting the timer and temperature could cook one fillet perfectly while leaving the other too dry.
• Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel before air frying: This helps to ensure the salmon doesn't release moisture, which will affect its ability to crisp up.
• Salt your salmon just before cooking: Salting too early will draw out the moisture to the surface, resulting in dry and flavourless salmon.
• Use a brine or marinade: If you do want to add flavour to your salmon before cooking, use a brine or marinade, but be sure to pat off any excess moisture before cooking.

Cooking Frozen Salmon:

If you're cooking frozen salmon, it's best to defrost it first for the best texture. However, if you're short on time, you can cook it straight from frozen. Here's how:

• Place the frozen salmon in the air fryer with the skin side down and air fry for around 7 minutes to defrost.
• Brush the salmon with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Air fry for another 3-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and your desired level of doneness.

By following these steps, you can help prevent your salmon from drying out and ensure it's cooked to perfection.

Frequently asked questions