Tiffany Haney
Cooking frozen salmon fillets in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. With no need to defrost the salmon beforehand, you can go straight from freezer to fryer and have a tasty dish on the table in under 20 minutes. The convenience of this method, coupled with the versatility of salmon as an ingredient, makes it a great option for busy weeknights.
Cooking Frozen Salmon Fillet in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Defrosting | No need to defrost before cooking |
| Temperature | 390°F (199°C) |
| Time | 7 minutes to defrost, then 6-9 minutes to cook |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice, dijon mustard |
| Fillet thickness | 1-1.5" thick |
| Internal temperature | 145°F |
| Skin | Skin-on or skinless |
| Serving suggestions | Rice, quinoa, salad, pasta, salmon patties, lemon wedges |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C)
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food will cook evenly and efficiently. Not all air fryers need to be preheated, but for those that do, it is crucial to wait until the desired temperature is reached before adding your ingredients.
To cook frozen salmon fillets in an air fryer, the temperature should be set to 390°F (199°C). This temperature is hot enough to cook the salmon thoroughly without drying it out. The salmon will be flaky and tender, with a slightly crispy edge, similar to a pan sear.
Different air fryers may have different preheating functions, so it is important to refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Some air fryers may not require preheating at all, while others may have specific settings or buttons to initiate the preheating process.
By preheating your air fryer to 390°F (199°C), you create the optimal cooking environment for your frozen salmon fillets. This temperature will ensure that your salmon is cooked safely and thoroughly without compromising its taste and texture.
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Oil and season the salmon
Oil is necessary for cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer, as it prevents the fish from sticking to the basket and helps to achieve a crispy texture. You can use cooking spray, brush the oil directly onto the fish, or coat the basket with oil. Popular oil choices include olive oil, avocado oil, or any other high-temperature cooking oil.
When it comes to seasoning, there are various options to choose from. A simple yet effective combination is sea salt and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, or Dijon mustard to your seasoning mix. For a zesty twist, consider adding lemon juice to your oil and seasoning mixture. If you prefer a more herby flavour, you can tuck a few sprigs of fresh thyme or dill under the salmon fillets. Alternatively, you can use cajun seasoning or your favourite seasoning blend.
It is recommended to season the salmon after the first few minutes of cooking, as this helps the seasoning stick better once the salmon starts to thaw in the air fryer. However, some recipes suggest brushing the salmon with oil and seasoning before placing it in the air fryer, especially if you want the skin side to be seasoned as well.
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Cook for 7-18 minutes
Cooking frozen salmon fillets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy and flavorful meal. The convenience of this cooking method is that you can cook the salmon straight from frozen without having to defrost it first, which saves time and effort.
After preheating your air fryer to 390°F, the cooking time for frozen salmon fillets typically ranges from 7 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness. For thinner fillets, a cooking time of 7-9 minutes is generally sufficient. However, for thicker fillets (approximately 1 to 1.5 inches thick), you may need to increase the cooking time to 12 to 18 minutes.
During the initial 7 minutes of cooking, the salmon will start to defrost and thaw. At this point, you can open the fryer basket and brush the salmon fillets with oil and your desired seasonings. This step adds flavor and moisture to the salmon.
After seasoning, return the salmon to the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 6-9 minutes. The total cooking time, including the initial defrosting and seasoning steps, typically falls within the 13 to 18-minute range.
To ensure your salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The recommended internal temperature for food safety is 145°F, but some people prefer their salmon medium-rare at an internal temperature of 125-130°F for a more tender texture.
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Check for doneness
Checking the doneness of your salmon is an important step to ensure it is cooked properly and safely. The recommended internal temperature for food safety is 145 °F. If you prefer a more tender texture, you can cook the salmon to medium, which is around 125-130 °F.
To check the doneness, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the salmon at its thickest point. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can also check by gently pressing the salmon with a fork to see if it flakes easily. If it does not flake, you can cook the salmon for an additional 2 minutes and then check again.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillet. For thinner fillets, reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes. If your salmon has not reached the desired internal temperature after 7 minutes, continue cooking and check the temperature every 1-2 minutes until it is done.
By following these instructions and checking the doneness of your salmon, you can ensure that your frozen salmon fillet is cooked properly and safely in the air fryer.
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Serve with sauce
While your salmon is cooking in the air fryer, you can prepare a sauce to serve with it. A zesty lemon sauce is a popular choice and can be made by mixing together lemon juice, avocado oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can brush this sauce over the salmon when you take it out of the fryer to baste it, then put it back in for a few minutes.
You could also make a bacon aioli sauce by mixing together turkey bacon, mayonnaise, coarse sea salt, paprika powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and lemon juice.
If you're serving your salmon with rice, you could make a creamy Parmesan dressing to go with it. You can also serve it with vegetables, such as avocado, kimchi, cucumbers, sriracha, and mayo.
If you want to keep things simple, you can just serve your salmon with lemon wedges, or top it with sliced lemon.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 15 minutes to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer when it’s preheated at 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Thinner fillets can take as little as 12 minutes while thicker fillets may take up to 18 minutes.
Set your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
No, you don't need to defrost frozen salmon fillets before cooking them in an air fryer. You can cook them straight from the freezer.
