Air-Fried Salmon En Croute: A Quick, Flaky Delight

how to cook salmon en croute in air fryer

Salmon en Croute, or Salmon Wellington, is a classic French dish consisting of a salmon fillet, spinach, and cream cheese wrapped in flaky puff pastry. This dish is perfect for special occasions as it is sure to impress and is actually quite easy to make. It can be cooked in an air fryer in just 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C) or for 30-45 minutes at 185°C. To make this dish even more impressive, serve it with a side of air-fried asparagus, herb butter, and a glass of cold champagne.

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 350°F (175°C) or 185°C
Bake time 30-45 minutes
Ingredients Salmon, spinach, cream cheese, puff pastry, shallots, garlic, salt, pepper, parmesan, olive oil/butter, egg wash, salt
Serving suggestions Green salad, air-fried asparagus, herb butter, pickled cucumber, and champagne
Storage Consume leftovers within 2-3 days or freeze for up to a month

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Salmon En Croute ingredients

Salmon En Croute is a classic French dish, also known as Salmon Wellington. It is made with a salmon fillet, flaky puff pastry, and a creamy spinach filling.

The ingredients you will need for the salmon en croute are:

  • 1 skinless and boneless salmon fillet (around 200g)
  • Puff pastry (you can buy this pre-made or make your own)
  • Spinach
  • Cream cheese or feta cheese (optional)
  • Parmesan
  • Butter or olive oil
  • Shallots
  • Garlic
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lime butter sauce (optional)

Additionally, you will need the following ingredients for the salad and pickle sides:

  • Watercress
  • Parsley
  • Crème fraîche
  • Lemon zest
  • Egg yolk
  • White wine vinegar
  • White sugar
  • Cucumber
  • Sea-salt flakes

You can also add asparagus and herb butter as sides.

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Preparing the spinach filling

Once the spinach has wilted, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the spinach mixture to a fine sieve to drain off the excess liquid. It is important to ensure that the spinach is not too wet, as this can make the pastry soggy. Allow the spinach filling to cool down, then transfer it to a bowl. At this point, you can add the cream cheese and parmesan, and stir well. If you are using feta, you can include this now, but it can be left out without making a huge difference to the filling. You could also add garlic and herb cheese, such as boursin. Once combined, set the spinach filling aside.

You can prepare the spinach filling up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

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Assembling the Salmon Wellington

To assemble the Salmon Wellington, start by preparing the spinach filling. First, put a wok or a large frying pan on medium heat and melt some butter or add olive oil. Next, add the shallots and gently sauté them until they become soft and translucent. Then, stir in the garlic, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Add the spinach leaves and stir until they wilt. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the spinach mixture to a fine sieve to drain the excess liquid. Allow the spinach filling to cool down, then transfer it to a bowl and add the cream cheese and parmesan. Stir well and set the mixture aside. You can prepare this spinach filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

To assemble the dish, unroll the puff pastry sheets and place one of them on a piece of greaseproof paper. Trim a salmon fillet to fit onto the puff pastry sheet and pat it dry with kitchen paper. Place the salmon fillet on a bed of the prepared spinach filling and wrap it in the puff pastry. You can also add a layer of egg wash and sprinkle some salt on top of the salmon before wrapping it.

Once assembled, you can store the Salmon Wellington in the fridge for up to 3 hours before cooking or freeze it for up to 3 months and cook it from frozen.

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Cooking in an air fryer

Salmon en croute, or salmon wellington, is a classic French dish made with salmon, spinach, and cream cheese wrapped in puff pastry. It is a simple yet impressive dish perfect for special occasions. The best part is that it can be easily cooked in an air fryer!

Firstly, prepare your salmon en croute by assembling the ingredients. You will need a salmon fillet, spinach, cream cheese or feta, and puff pastry. Some recipes also call for a creamy herb sauce made with watercress, parsley, crème fraîche, lemon zest, and egg yolk.

To start, cook the spinach with butter, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Once wilted, transfer it to a sieve to remove excess liquid, and then mix in a bowl with the cream cheese and parmesan. You can prepare this filling in advance and store it in the fridge.

Next, pat the salmon fillet dry and trim it to fit on a puff pastry sheet. Place the spinach filling on top of the salmon and wrap it up in the pastry. Some recipes suggest brushing the pastry with an egg wash and sprinkling salt on top before baking.

Now, you are ready to cook your salmon en croute in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 175°C and 185°C. Place the salmon en croute in the air fryer basket and cook for 30-45 minutes, depending on your air fryer. Keep an eye on it to ensure the pastry becomes crisp without overcooking the salmon.

Once cooked, let the salmon en croute stand for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. It goes well with a green salad, air-fried asparagus, herb butter, and a glass of champagne.

Reheating in an Air Fryer:

If you have any leftovers, wrap them tightly or store them in an airtight container. Consume within 2-3 days or freeze for up to a month. To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C) and cook for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.

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Serving suggestions

Salmon en croute, or salmon wellington, is a classic French dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany this delicious main course:

Green Salad

A green salad is a simple yet elegant side dish that pairs well with the richness of the salmon and pastry. Opt for a mix of leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, or mixed greens, and top it with a light vinaigrette dressing. You can also add other vegetables like sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or avocado slices for extra colour and texture.

Air-Fryer Asparagus

Asparagus is a classic accompaniment to salmon, and cooking it in the air fryer is a convenient option. Simply trim the asparagus spears and toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. Serve the asparagus alongside the salmon en croute for a delicious and healthy option.

Herb Butter

Herb butter adds a luxurious touch to your salmon en croute. To make it, simply mix softened butter with a variety of finely chopped herbs such as parsley, chives, thyme, or dill. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness. Serve the herb butter on the side or melt it over the top of the salmon en croute just before serving.

Pickled Cucumber

Pickled cucumber is a refreshing and tangy side dish that cuts through the richness of the salmon and pastry. To make quick pickled cucumbers, cut a cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Thinly slice the cucumber, sprinkle with sea salt, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the salt off and squeeze the cucumber to remove excess moisture. Prepare a brine by heating white wine vinegar, water, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Once cooled, add the cucumber to the brine and let it pickle for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Lime Butter Sauce

For a zesty and creamy accompaniment, try serving your salmon en croute with a lime butter sauce. This sauce pairs perfectly with the salmon and adds a burst of flavour. You can either make your own sauce by reducing lime juice, shallots, and cream, or purchase a ready-made sauce to save time.

Whether you choose to serve your salmon en croute with one or a combination of these sides, each option is sure to enhance the flavour and presentation of your dish. Enjoy experimenting with these suggestions and impress your guests with a restaurant-worthy meal!

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Frequently asked questions

Salmon en croute is a classic French dish made with salmon, spinach, and cream cheese wrapped in puff pastry. It is also known as Salmon Wellington.

To cook salmon en croute in an air fryer, bake at 185°C for 30-45 minutes. If you are reheating, set the air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C) and heat for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

You can assemble the salmon en croute and store it in the fridge for up to 3 hours before cooking. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 3 months and cook it from frozen.

You can serve salmon en croute with a green salad, air-fried asparagus, herb butter, and a glass of champagne. A side of pickled cucumber is also a classic pairing.

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