Tillie Doyle
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a delicious meal. It results in salmon with a flaky centre and seared edges, without the need to turn on the oven or deal with oil splatters on the stove. You can cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, although some recipes recommend defrosting it first. The cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the fillet, but it should be ready in under 15 minutes. You can also cook vegetables in the air fryer to serve with the salmon.
How to cook salmon in an air fryer (frozen)
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360-400°F |
| Preheat time | 12 minutes |
| Cook time | 7-15 minutes |
| Defrosting | Not required but recommended |
| Marinade | Soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, paprika, maple syrup, dijon mustard, honey, hot sauce, teriyaki sauce, BBQ sauce |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, paprika, lemon zest, lemon slices, thyme, dill, cajun seasoning |
| Sides | Rice, quinoa, salad, vegetables, potatoes, green beans, almonds, cilantro lime cauliflower rice |
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What You'll Learn
Salmon can be cooked from frozen
Yes, salmon can be cooked from frozen. It is a convenient and quick way to cook salmon, with no need to defrost it first. The air fryer is a versatile and healthy way to cook salmon fillets, resulting in a moist and tender dish with a flaky centre. The intense circulation of hot air inside air fryers is ideal for cooking delicate seafood quickly, so the edges crisp before the fish dries out.
To cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer. The ideal temperature seems to be around 360-400°F, with one source suggesting 390°F. Lay the salmon on aluminium foil in the air fryer, with the skin side down. This prevents the salmon from overcooking. It is not necessary to wrap the salmon in foil, and in fact, it is better not to, as this will help the salmon to crisp.
Once the air fryer is preheated, the salmon should be cooked for around 7 minutes, or until thawed. Then, a drizzle of a soy/mustard mixture, or another marinade or glaze, can be added to the fillets, and they can be cooked for another 6-11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The salmon is ready when it is crisp and slightly browned on the edges and can be flaked with a fork.
Salmon cooked in this way is very versatile and can be served with rice or quinoa, in a salad, with pasta, or in a casserole. It can also be used in tacos or salmon patties.
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Preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your salmon cooks evenly and efficiently. To preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature of 360-400°F, simply turn on the appliance and set the temperature.
Most air fryers will have a preheat function, but if yours doesn't, you can simply set the temperature and wait a few minutes for it to reach the desired temperature. You can confirm that your air fryer has reached the correct temperature by using the built-in temperature gauge, if it has one, or by using an external thermometer.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen salmon fillets. It is not necessary to defrost the salmon before cooking it in the air fryer, which is one of the benefits of using this appliance. Simply take the frozen salmon out of the freezer and prepare it according to your recipe. You may wish to season the salmon with salt and pepper, or a spice blend of your choice, or even a drizzle of lemon juice.
Once the air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can place the salmon fillets inside and begin the cooking process. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, the cooking time will vary, but generally, it should take around 10 minutes for the salmon to cook through.
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Use olive or avocado oil to prevent drying
When cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer, using olive or avocado oil can help prevent the fish from drying out. Olive oil, for example, helps the seasoning stick to the fish, and it is safe and healthy to cook with at high temperatures. Avocado oil can be used as a substitute if you don't have olive oil.
Before cooking, you can coat the fish with a mixture of olive or avocado oil, garlic, and spices. You can also add lemon zest to the mixture, which will give the fish a tart lemon flavor without adding moisture, which can inhibit browning. Finely grate the garlic before mixing it with the oil and coating the fish. This will prevent the garlic from burning in the air fryer.
If you are cooking frozen salmon, you do not need to defrost it first. Simply preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and place the salmon, skin-side down, in the air fryer. Cook for about 7 minutes or until thawed, then add your chosen marinade and cook for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
To check if your salmon is cooked, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145ºF, but most chefs suggest cooking salmon to medium, which is 125-135ºF. The salmon should be crisp and slightly browned on the edges and tender when flaked with a fork.
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Season with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper
When seasoning salmon to cook in an air fryer, a simple yet effective combination is garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Firstly, it is important to note that fresh garlic can burn quickly in an air fryer, so it is recommended to use garlic powder or grate the garlic very finely so that it melds with the oil and coats the fish. Olive oil or avocado oil can be used to help the seasoning stick and prevent the salmon from drying out.
Paprika will give the salmon a little color, and smoked paprika can be used if you want a more intense flavor. If you want to add a touch of sweetness, you can add brown sugar or honey to the seasoning mix, which will also help the salmon caramelize.
Salt and pepper are simple but essential seasonings. If using a seasoning blend that already contains salt, adjust the amount of salt you add accordingly.
You can also add lemon wedges or a drizzle of lemon juice to the salmon as it cooks for extra flavor.
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Cook for 7-12 minutes, skin-side down
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy, delicious meal. It's a versatile dish that can be served with rice or quinoa, in a salad, a casserole, or with pasta.
When cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer, it is not necessary to defrost the salmon beforehand. Simply preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, and lay the salmon on aluminum foil, skin-side down.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets. For thinner pieces of salmon, cook for around 7-8 minutes. For thicker fillets, increase the cooking time to 9-12 minutes.
During this time, the intense circulation of hot air inside the air fryer will cook the delicate salmon, ensuring the edges crisp without drying out the fish.
After cooking, you can garnish the salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh parsley.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10 minutes to cook salmon in an air fryer, but this can vary depending on the thickness of the fillets. If you are cooking from frozen, you can add on another 6-7 minutes to thaw the salmon.
Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. If you want to cook the salmon without defrosting it first, set the temperature to 350°F to avoid burning.
Seasonings like garlic, lemon, paprika, salt, and pepper work well with salmon. Olive oil or avocado oil can also be used to keep the salmon moist and help the seasoning stick.
No, there is no need to flip salmon in the air fryer. However, you should place the salmon skin side down in the air fryer to prevent overcooking.
