Air Fryer Salmon And Broccoli: Quick And Healthy Weeknight Dinner

Cooking salmon and broccoli in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious and healthy meal. This method allows you to enjoy a crispy, golden exterior while retaining the fish's delicate texture and the vegetable's natural crunch. Here's a simple guide to help you master this technique, ensuring a mouth-watering dish that's both nutritious and satisfying.

Preheat Air Fryer: Set temperature to 375°F for 5 minutes

To begin cooking your salmon and broccoli in the air fryer, it's crucial to start with a preheated appliance to ensure even cooking and optimal results. Here's a step-by-step guide for this specific process:

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, which is 375°F (190°C). This temperature is ideal for cooking salmon and broccoli as it allows for a good balance of cooking time and texture. While the air fryer heats up, it's a good idea to prepare your ingredients. Rinse and pat dry the salmon fillets, ensuring they are as dry as possible to promote crispier skin. Cut the salmon into bite-sized pieces if it's a larger fillet. For the broccoli, trim the tough ends and cut it into small florets.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to add your ingredients. Place the salmon and broccoli in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer. You can lightly spray the ingredients with cooking oil to promote browning and crispiness, but this step is optional. If using a spray, a small amount of oil should be sufficient.

Now, it's important to note that the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets and the size of the broccoli florets. As a general guideline, start with a cooking time of 10-12 minutes. After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and shake the basket gently to ensure even cooking. This step is crucial to prevent the ingredients from sticking and to promote even browning.

For the final 5-7 minutes of cooking, close the air fryer and continue cooking until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the broccoli is tender-crisp. Remember, cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on your food to avoid overcooking. Once done, carefully remove the salmon and broccoli from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavorful dish.

Prepare Salmon: Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice

When preparing salmon for the air fryer, seasoning is key to enhancing its natural flavors and creating a delicious, crispy exterior. Start by selecting fresh salmon fillets, preferably with the skin on, as this helps to keep the fish moist during cooking. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a crispier texture.

Seasoning is a simple yet effective way to elevate your salmon. Begin by generously seasoning both sides of the fillets with salt and freshly ground black pepper. The salt will help to draw out the moisture, creating a drier environment that promotes crispiness. Pepper adds a subtle heat and a depth of flavor to the fish. For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Next, introduce a tangy element to the dish by brushing or sprinkling lemon juice over the seasoned salmon. The acid in lemon juice acts as a natural tenderizer, breaking down the fish's proteins and making it more tender. It also adds a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the richness of the salmon. You can use fresh lemon juice or opt for a squeeze of lemon juice from a bottle, ensuring you get the right amount.

For an even more aromatic dish, consider adding a pinch of dried herbs like dill or thyme. These herbs will infuse the salmon with a subtle, earthy flavor. Alternatively, if you prefer a more intense herb flavor, you can use fresh herbs like parsley or chives, finely chopped and mixed into the seasoning.

After seasoning, let the salmon sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to penetrate the fish, ensuring a well-seasoned and flavorful result. Once seasoned, you're ready to proceed with the rest of your air-frying preparation, which will be covered in the subsequent steps.

Chop Broccoli: Cut into small florets, toss with olive oil

To begin preparing your salmon and broccoli dish for the air fryer, start by chopping the broccoli into small florets. This step is crucial as it ensures even cooking and allows the broccoli to absorb flavors more effectively. Use a sharp knife to cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, aiming for a consistent size to promote uniform cooking. Once you've chopped the broccoli, it's time to add a simple yet flavorful step: tossing it with olive oil.

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the chopped broccoli florets. The oil will help enhance the natural flavors of the broccoli and create a crispy texture when cooked. Use a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel to pat the broccoli florets dry, ensuring they are as dry as possible before adding the oil. This step is important because moisture can cause the broccoli to steam instead of crisp up in the air fryer.

After coating the broccoli with olive oil, use your hands or a spatula to gently toss the florets until they are evenly coated. This process ensures that each piece of broccoli gets a good amount of oil, promoting a golden-brown color and a crispy texture when cooked. Take your time with this step to ensure an even coating.

Now, your prepared broccoli is ready to be combined with the salmon. Place the seasoned broccoli and salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space to cook without overcrowding. If you have multiple air fryers, you can cook the broccoli and salmon in separate batches to ensure optimal results.

Remember, the key to success with air-frying is to keep an eye on your dish and adjust the cooking time as needed. The specific cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets and your personal preference for doneness. Aim for a golden-brown color and a crispy texture for the broccoli, and a perfectly cooked salmon fillet with a flaky interior.

Arrange in Basket: Place salmon and broccoli in the air fryer basket

When preparing to cook salmon and broccoli in an air fryer, the arrangement of ingredients in the basket is crucial for even cooking and optimal results. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to arrange them properly:

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. Typically, a temperature of 375°F (190°C) is a good starting point for cooking salmon and broccoli. While the air fryer heats up, prepare your ingredients. Cut the salmon into fillets or steaks, ensuring they are of a similar thickness for even cooking. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, or any other desired spices or herbs. For the broccoli, trim the tough ends and cut it into small, bite-sized florets.

Now, it's time to arrange the ingredients in the air fryer basket. Line the basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleaning easier. Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You can place them in a single layer or slightly overlap them, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. After arranging the salmon, add the broccoli florets around the fish. Try to keep the broccoli pieces separate to allow hot air circulation, which will result in a crispier texture. If your air fryer basket has multiple racks, you can place the salmon on one rack and the broccoli on another to further enhance even cooking.

Make sure the salmon and broccoli are not touching each other, as this can lead to uneven cooking. The goal is to create space for the hot air to circulate freely around the food. If you have any extra space in the basket, you can add a small amount of water or a splash of cooking oil to help create steam and promote even browning.

Once the ingredients are arranged, carefully place the basket back into the air fryer. Set the timer and cooking temperature according to your recipe or personal preference. Typically, cooking salmon and broccoli in an air fryer takes around 12-15 minutes, but it can vary depending on the thickness of the salmon and the power of your air fryer. Always keep an eye on your food and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Cook: Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until salmon is cooked through

To cook salmon and broccoli in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare the ingredients and set up your air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While the air fryer is heating up, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it ensures a crispy exterior. Season the salmon generously with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.

Next, prepare the broccoli. Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to the broccoli for extra flavor. If you're using a pre-cut bag of broccoli florets, you can skip this step. Place the seasoned salmon and broccoli in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.

Now, it's time to cook! Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and set the cooking time for 12-15 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets and your air fryer's power. After 6-7 minutes, carefully flip the salmon and broccoli using a pair of tongs to ensure even cooking. This flipping step is essential to get a golden-brown crust on the salmon.

Continue cooking for the remaining time, keeping a close eye on the food. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (medium-rare). For a more well-done salmon, you can extend the cooking time by a few minutes until it reaches your desired doneness. Once cooked, remove the basket from the air fryer and let the salmon and broccoli rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

This cooking method ensures a delicious, healthy meal with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy salmon. The broccoli will be tender-crisp, and the air-frying technique locks in the natural flavors, resulting in a tasty and convenient meal. Remember, cooking times may vary, so always check the salmon's doneness to avoid overcooking. Enjoy your air-fried salmon and broccoli!

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