Tillie Doyle
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and tasty way to prepare the fish. It is a versatile method that yields moist, tender, and flaky results with a crispy exterior. The air fryer's high-powered convection cooking can crisp the outside without drying out the inside, and it is possible to use any seasoning or marinade. The cooking time is typically under 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of the air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 8-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 360-400°F (180-200°C) |
| Preheat Temperature | 370-390°F (190°C) |
| Preheat Time | 5 minutes |
| Salmon Fillet Thickness | 1 inch |
| Salmon Fillet Type | Skin-on or skinless |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, olive oil, lemon, honey, maple syrup, mustard, soy sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, tartar sauce, Greek yoghurt, honey mustard, hot sauce |
| Sides | Vegetables, potatoes, rice pilaf, quinoa, greens, grains, asparagus, roasted fingerling potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for salmon in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the salmon pieces and the model of the air fryer being used. It is recommended to use salmon fillets that are around 1 inch thick as they cook more evenly and retain their moisture better. If the fillets are extra thick, you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.
For frozen salmon, preheat your air fryer to 360-370 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the salmon on aluminum foil in the air fryer and cook for about 7 minutes or until thawed. Then, drizzle a soy/mustard mixture over the top of the fillets and cook for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
For fresh salmon, preheat your air fryer to 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the salmon, skin-side down, on foil or parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Brush the fillets with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkle on seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dill. Air fry for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the salmon should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit for well-done and 135 degrees for medium.
It is important to note that all air fryers cook slightly differently, so it is recommended to check on the salmon regularly to prevent overcooking or burning.
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Seasoning and marinade
Before seasoning, it is recommended to pat your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick better. You can then brush the fillets with olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter, which will also help the seasoning stick and prevent the salmon from drying out.
A simple seasoning mix could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add herbs such as dill, or mixed herbs and garlic granules. If you want to add a bit of colour to your salmon, use smoked paprika. If you're using a blend that already contains salt, be sure to adjust the amount you add accordingly.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a marinade or glaze. Salmon doesn't need much time in a marinade—a quick glaze right before cooking is enough. You can try a maple dijon mix by combining one tablespoon of dijon mustard with one teaspoon of maple syrup and brushing it on before air frying. For a teriyaki glaze, brush the salmon with teriyaki sauce in the last couple of minutes of cooking. For a sweet and smoky flavour, swap the paprika for smoked paprika and add some brown sugar. If you like a bit of spice, try drizzling some hot honey over the cooked salmon.
You can also try a soy and mustard mixture. Drizzle this over the top of the fillets and cook for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
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Glazes
A quick glaze right before cooking is all your salmon needs to shine in the air fryer. Here are some glaze ideas to get you started:
- Maple Dijon: Mix 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard with 1 teaspoon of maple syrup and brush it on the salmon before air frying.
- Teriyaki Glaze: Brush the salmon with 1 tablespoon of teriyaki sauce in the last couple of minutes of cooking.
- Smoky BBQ: Swap the paprika in your seasoning with 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika and add 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar for a sweet and smoky flavour.
- Spicy Honey: Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of hot honey after cooking for a touch of heat and sweetness.
- Honey Mustard: Combine honey and mustard to taste and brush onto the salmon before cooking.
- Lemon Butter: Melt some butter and mix it with lemon juice, then brush this mixture onto the salmon before cooking.
- Soy Mustard: Mix soy sauce and mustard to taste and brush it onto the salmon before cooking.
When cooking with a glaze, it's best to brush on the glaze during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking and let the heat slightly caramelize it. Alternatively, you can reduce the air fryer temperature to 350°F and cook for a little longer, or simply drizzle the glaze over the salmon after cooking to avoid burning.
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Doneness
The doneness of your salmon will depend on how well-done you like your fish. The FDA recommends that salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (62.8°C) in the thickest part of the fillet. If you prefer your salmon medium, you can remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 135°F (57.2°C) and let it rest for a few minutes to come up to temperature.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon and the model of the air fryer. As a general rule, air-fried salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. For a 400°F (204°C) air fryer, this should take around 6 to 11 minutes. For a 390°F (200°C) air fryer, this should take around 10 minutes. If you are cooking at 370°F (188°C), the cooking time will be around 14 to 15 minutes.
If you are cooking frozen salmon, the cooking time will be longer. For example, if you are cooking at 360°F (182°C), you should cook the salmon for about 7 minutes or until thawed, and then for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
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Cooking from frozen
Frozen salmon can be cooked in an air fryer in a few simple steps. The convenience of this method is that you don't have to defrost the salmon before cooking it.
First, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C). While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the salmon by removing any ice or excess water from the frozen fillet with paper towels. This will ensure that the salmon cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Next, place the salmon fillet, skin-side down, directly into the air fryer basket. Cooking the salmon with the skin side down prevents the salmon from overcooking, and the skin will not be crispy. Depending on the thickness of the fillet, cook the salmon for 9 minutes at 390°F (199°C) to defrost.
After the initial defrost, you can season the salmon. You can brush the salmon with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne. Alternatively, you can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or use a sweet and sticky glaze with honey and mustard. You can also add lemon slices on top of the salmon as it cooks to infuse it with flavour.
Once the salmon is seasoned, place it back into the air fryer for another 6-8 minutes at 390°F (199°C). The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillet and your desired doneness. The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (62.7°C). However, for a more moist texture, you can cook the salmon to an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C).
With this method, you can have a delicious, moist, and flaky salmon dish ready in under 20 minutes!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 8 to 15 minutes to cook salmon in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of the air fryer.
Set your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F (180°C to 200°C). If you have a frozen salmon fillet, preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
The best way to check if your salmon is cooked is to use a fork to see if it flakes off easily. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature of the thickest part of the salmon has reached 145°F (135°F for medium).
