Ella Walter
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this delicious and nutritious fish. Air-fried salmon is tender, flaky, and juicy, with a perfectly crisp exterior. It's also incredibly versatile, as you can season or marinade the fish to your liking and serve it with a variety of sides. The best part? It's ready in under 10 minutes! So, if you're looking for a simple, tasty, and healthy meal option, cooking salmon in a Breville air fryer is definitely worth trying.
How to cook salmon in a Breville Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | Preheat to 360°F-400°F for a few minutes |
| Salmon Temperature | Room temperature |
| Pat Dry | Use paper towels to pat the salmon dry |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, olive oil, brown sugar, dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder |
| Skin | Start cooking with the skin side down, don't wrap the fish |
| Flip | No need to flip the salmon |
| Temperature | 390°F (190°C) |
| Time | 6-11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet |
| Doneness | Check with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) |
| Rest | Let the salmon rest for a few minutes, then squeeze lemon juice over it |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your salmon cooks evenly. Just as you would preheat an oven, allowing your air fryer to warm up for a few minutes before cooking will help you achieve the consistent cooking results you're looking for.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your salmon. It's recommended to let the salmon sit at room temperature for an hour or so to take the chill off before cooking. This will ensure your salmon isn't ice-cold when it goes into the air fryer, promoting even cooking.
During this time, you can also pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is important as moisture can prevent you from achieving a nice brown, crispy exterior on your salmon.
Once your air fryer is preheated and your salmon is dry, you can move on to the next step of seasoning your salmon generously.
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Season the salmon
Seasoning is a crucial step in cooking salmon, as it enhances the natural flavours of the fish. Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning salmon before cooking it in your Breville air fryer:
First, ensure that the salmon is dry by patting it with paper towels. Moisture on the surface of the salmon can prevent the desired brown, crispy exterior from forming.
Next, add the salmon to a small bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also use melted unsalted butter or cooking spray instead. The oil or butter will help the seasonings stick to the fish and prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Now, it's time to add your chosen seasonings. A simple combination of salt and pepper is always a good option, but you can also experiment with different herbs and spices. For example, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder will give the salmon a lovely, smoky aroma. If you want a touch of sweetness, add a little brown sugar or honey, which will also help the salmon caramelize. You can also try adding dijon mustard for a savoury kick.
Finally, rub the seasonings onto the fish, ensuring it is evenly coated. You can now place the seasoned salmon in the air fryer, skin-side down, and cook according to your recipe.
Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to be generous and experiment with different flavour combinations to find your favourite!
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Cook skin-side down
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious and nutritious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving perfectly cooked salmon in your Breville air fryer, with a focus on the "cook skin-side down" method:
Prepare the Salmon:
Before you start cooking, ensure your salmon is prepared properly. Remove any bones from the salmon fillets and let the fish sit on the counter for an hour to bring it to room temperature. This ensures that the salmon cooks evenly in the air fryer. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which can affect the browning of the salmon.
Season Generously:
Now it's time to season your salmon. You can use any seasoning or marinade you like. A simple salt and pepper seasoning is classic, but feel free to experiment with different flavors. You can try a sweet and spicy rub, or add some smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder for a lovely, smoky aroma. Don't be shy with your seasonings! You can also brush the salmon with a thin layer of oil or cooking spray to enhance browning and help the seasonings stick.
Preheat Your Air Fryer:
Just like with an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures even cooking results. Set your air fryer to warm up for a few minutes before you start cooking. The ideal temperature for cooking salmon is around 390°F to 400°F (190°C).
Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring the skin side is facing down. This is important as cooking skin-side down helps protect the flesh, keeping it moist and tender. It also helps the salmon hold together better during cooking. Leave some space between each fillet to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
Cooking Time:
Depending on the thickness of your fillets and the temperature of your air fryer, the cooking time for salmon will vary. For a 6-ounce fillet, 6 minutes at 400°F (204°C) should be sufficient. However, you may need to adjust the time depending on the make and model of your air fryer. The best way to know when salmon is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. According to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the fillet.
Rest and Serve:
Once your salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute or two. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a moist and flaky texture. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors and add a hint of acidity.
Your salmon is now ready to be served! Enjoy your perfectly cooked, tender and juicy air-fried salmon with your favorite sides.
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Check for doneness
Checking for doneness is an important step in cooking salmon in a Breville air fryer to ensure that it is cooked to your desired level. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:
Firstly, it is important to note that salmon cooks quickly in an air fryer, so it is recommended to keep a close eye on it. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the fillet should reach 145°F (63°C). To check this, you can use a meat thermometer. This will ensure that your salmon is cooked safely and thoroughly.
Another way to check for doneness is to use a spatula or fork to gently press or flake the thickest part of the salmon fillet. If it is firm yet slightly springy, or if it flakes easily and is opaque in the center, then your salmon is likely cooked perfectly. This method is a good indicator of doneness without the need for a thermometer.
Additionally, you can also check for doneness by simply observing the color and texture of the salmon. Well-cooked salmon will have a blush of crispness on top and be tender and flaky inside. It should not be dry, but rather moist and juicy. If you notice these characteristics, your salmon is likely done.
Remember, salmon continues to cook even after it is removed from the heat, so it is better to slightly undercook it to prevent overcooking, which can lead to dryness. Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes after cooking, as this will help redistribute the juices and ensure that your salmon remains moist and tender.
By following these detailed instructions on checking for doneness, you can ensure that your salmon is cooked to perfection in your Breville air fryer.
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Serve with sides
Air fryer salmon is a quick, easy, and healthy meal option. It is also versatile when it comes to serving sides. Here are some ideas:
Vegetables
Asparagus is a classic pairing with salmon. You can grill, roast, or air fry it. Other vegetables that go well with salmon include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and fingerling potatoes. If you want to keep things simple, just steam some veggies of your choice.
Carbohydrates
Rice is a great option to serve with salmon. Couscous is another good choice; for instance, you could try Moroccan spiced salmon couscous.
Salads
A fresh salad can round out the meal and make it even healthier.
Other proteins
If you want to make the meal more filling, you could serve the salmon with some shrimp or cod.
Sauces
A squeeze of lemon is a great, simple way to add some brightness and complement the natural flavors of the salmon. Alternatively, you could glaze the salmon with sweet chili sauce or honey soy sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 6 to 11 minutes to cook salmon in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the fillet and how cold the salmon is when you start.
Set the temperature to 390°F (190°C) or 400°F.
The best way to know when salmon is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. Per the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the fillet. You can also use a fork to gently flake the thickest part of the fillet. If it easily flakes and is opaque in the center, it's done.
First, let the salmon reach room temperature by letting it sit on the counter for an hour. Then, pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. Season the salmon generously with salt and pepper, and any other desired herbs and spices. You can also brush the salmon with a thin layer of oil to enhance the colour and texture of the top.
Yes, you can cook frozen salmon in your Breville air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and lay the salmon on aluminum foil. Cook for about 7 minutes or until thawed, then add your desired seasoning and cook for another 6 to 11 minutes.
