Ella Walter
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, tender, and flaky salmon dish. The air fryer seals in the moisture and flavour, resulting in a juicy fillet that's perfectly cooked and ready to serve. The best part? It's done in under 15 minutes! This method is also versatile, allowing you to customise the recipe with various seasonings, sauces, and sides to suit your taste. Whether you prefer your salmon with or without the skin, the air fryer is a convenient way to cook it to perfection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360°F to 400°F |
| Time | 6 to 15 minutes |
| Temperature when cooked | 145°F |
| Temperature for medium-rare | 135°F |
| Temperature when defrosting | 375°F |
| Time when defrosting | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Foil | Use to line the air fryer basket or wrap the salmon |
| Salmon | Skin-side down |
| Brushing | Olive oil or melted butter |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, dried dill, mixed herbs, garlic granules, brown sugar, Dijon, soy sauce, ginger |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your salmon cooks evenly and efficiently. Depending on your air fryer model, preheating can take anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. For example, the preheating time for the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer is 3 minutes, while some other air fryers may need up to 5 minutes.
To preheat your air fryer, first, set the temperature. For cooking salmon, you will want to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 390°F and 400°F. This temperature range will ensure your salmon cooks through without drying out. If you are cooking frozen salmon, preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 375°F. This lower temperature will help thaw your salmon gently before increasing the heat to cook it through.
Once you have set the temperature, let your air fryer run for the recommended preheat time. This time allows the air fryer to reach the desired temperature and ensures that your cooking time is accurate. An air fryer that hasn't been preheated may require a longer cooking time, which can lead to overcooking or drying out your salmon.
After preheating, you can proceed with the rest of the recipe, including seasoning and placing your salmon in the air fryer. The preheat function on your air fryer is a handy tool to ensure your salmon is cooked to perfection.
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Season the salmon
Seasoning the salmon is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and moisture to the fish. The great thing about salmon is that it goes well with a variety of seasonings, so you can get creative and use whatever spices you have on hand.
A simple yet effective seasoning mix includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can brush the salmon fillets with melted butter or olive oil before sprinkling on the spices. This will help the seasonings stick to the fish and add some extra flavour. If you're looking for something a little different, you could try using dried dill, sea salt, and garlic powder. This combination will give the salmon a slightly earthier flavour.
If you want to get really creative, you can make a glaze for the salmon by mixing together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger. This glaze will give the salmon a sweet and savoury flavour that's sure to impress. You can also add some fresh herbs like dill or mix herbs to the seasoning mix for an extra flavour boost.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your perfect combination. You can also try adding a slice of lime or lemon to the salmon before cooking, as this will add a bright, citrusy flavour that pairs well with the fish.
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Seal salmon in foil
To seal salmon in foil for cooking in an air fryer, first prep the salmon fillets by seasoning them with salt and pepper, and a brushing of olive oil. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and dried dill. Place the salmon fillets in a square of aluminum foil, ensuring there is enough foil to completely envelope the salmon. You can place the salmon skin-side down or skin-side up, depending on your preference. If you want crispy skin, place the salmon skin-side up without foil and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Seal the foil around the fillets and place them in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the salmon for 12 to 15 minutes on the "air fry" setting, depending on the size and thickness of the fillets. For a well-done salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
Using olive oil is optional but adds flavor and moisture to the fish. You can also cook the salmon with lemon or lime slices, or omit the fruit entirely. For an easy and complete meal, add chopped vegetables under the salmon and cook everything together in the foil packet.
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Cook for 10-15 minutes
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious, healthy meal. When you're ready to cook, set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place your salmon, skin-side down, on a sheet of aluminum foil that is small enough to fit in the basket of your air fryer.
If you are cooking frozen salmon, it is best to defrost it first. However, if you are short on time, you can place the frozen fillets in the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes until defrosted.
Once your salmon is ready, brush or spray the salmon fillet with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried dill. Seal the foil around the fillets and place them in the air fryer basket.
Now, you're ready to cook your salmon for 10-15 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your fillets. For larger salmon fillets, you may need to cook for longer. Keep checking after 10 minutes and cook in 1-2 minute blasts until your salmon is ready.
When the cooking time is up, carefully remove the foil packets from the air fryer basket and open the foil. Your salmon should be perfectly cooked and ready to serve! The fish should be opaque throughout and flake easily with a fork. For an extra flavour boost, serve with a slice of lime or lemon.
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Check internal temperature
Checking the internal temperature of your salmon is crucial to ensuring it is cooked to perfection. The FDA recommends that salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the filet. This can be measured using a food thermometer. If you prefer your salmon medium-rare, you can remove it from the air fryer when it reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit and let it rest; the residual heat will bring it to the desired temperature.
When checking the internal temperature, it is important to ensure that the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the filet, as this is the area that takes the longest to cook. If you are cooking multiple pieces of salmon, be sure to check the temperature of each piece, as they may not all cook at the same rate.
In addition to checking the internal temperature, you can also assess the doneness of your salmon by observing its flakiness. Properly cooked salmon should be opaque throughout and flake easily with a fork. If the salmon is still translucent or resistant to flaking, it likely needs more time in the air fryer.
It is worth noting that the cooking time and temperature settings provided in this article are general guidelines, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon filets and the model of your air fryer. As such, it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your salmon to ensure it has reached the recommended 145 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the salmon for 12-15 minutes.
Cooking salmon in foil seals in the moisture and flavour, creating a juicy fillet. It also makes cleaning up easier.
Season your salmon with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried dill. You can also brush the salmon with olive oil or butter to add flavour and moisture.
The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be opaque throughout and flake easily with a fork.
Yes, you can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the salmon for about 7 minutes or until thawed. Then, brush the salmon with oil, increase the temperature to 400 degrees, and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
