Emilie Meyer
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. The air fryer can cook salmon to have a flaky centre and seared edges in under 10 minutes. There are many ways to season salmon for air frying, including salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, honey, and soy sauce. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it should take around 7-11 minutes.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360°F to 400°F |
| Preheat Time | 12 minutes |
| Cook Time | 6-11 minutes |
| Cook Time (frozen) | 7 minutes to thaw, then 6-11 minutes |
| Cook Time (thicker pieces) | 9-12 minutes |
| Cook Time (thinner pieces) | 7-8 minutes |
| Skin | Skin-on or skinless |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, mixed herbs, garlic granules |
| Marinade | Soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, garlic powder, dijon mustard, oil |
| Glaze | Maple dijon, teriyaki sauce, honey, hot sauce |
| Garnish | Lemon wedges, fresh parsley |
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What You'll Learn
Marinade ingredients and preparation
Marinating your salmon before air frying is a great way to add flavour to your dish. There are many different ingredients you can use to marinate your salmon, and here are some suggestions:
- Soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Olive oil, salt, pepper, mixed herbs, and garlic granules.
- Maple syrup, Dijon mustard, teriyaki sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and honey.
- Lemon juice, pepper, and olive oil.
You can also add other ingredients such as ginger, smoked paprika instead of regular paprika, or honey mustard to spice up your marinade.
To prepare your marinade, simply mix your chosen ingredients together in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Then, spoon the marinade over the salmon fillets, gently rubbing it onto the salmon until it's fully coated. Don't be shy—adding a little extra marinade on top is a great way to ensure your salmon is full of flavour.
After marinating, you can spray your salmon and air fryer plate or basket with cooking oil and place the salmon skin-side down in the fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the salmon in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for salmon in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the salmon pieces and the model of the air fryer being used. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the seasoned salmon to ensure even cooking.
For a thinner piece of salmon, plan on cooking it for 7-8 minutes. For a thicker piece, air fry for 9-11 minutes. If using frozen salmon, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 7 minutes or until thawed. Then, add the seasoning and cook for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
If you are using a glaze, such as maple Dijon or teriyaki sauce, it is recommended to add it during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to avoid burning. If you want to cook with the glaze from the start, reduce the air fryer temperature to 350°F and cook for a little longer.
The best way to check if the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness is to use a fork to see if it flakes off easily. According to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the salmon. However, if you prefer your salmon to be moist and flaky, remove it from the air fryer around 135 degrees Fahrenheit and let it rest, as the carryover cooking will bring it to temperature.
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Using frozen salmon
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Start by selecting good-quality frozen salmon fillets. The thicker the fillets, the better, as they tend to retain moisture better during cooking. Individually wrapped fillets are ideal, as they resist freezer burn and prevent ice build-up, keeping the salmon flavourful. If you have skin-on salmon, that's great; if not, skinless fillets work just as well.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 390-400°F (199-204°C). It's important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and to prevent the salmon from overcooking. While the air fryer is preheating, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This step helps the seasoning stick to the salmon better.
Step 3: Season the Salmon
Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray. This will add flavour and help the seasonings stick. For seasoning, you can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, or cajun seasoning. You can also add lemon or lime zest for a citrusy twist, or fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro.
Step 4: Air Fry the Salmon
Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer, skin-side down. This prevents the salmon from overcooking, although the skin won't be crispy. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, cook the salmon for 12 to 18 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Thinner fillets may take as little as 12 minutes, while thicker ones can take up to 18 minutes. For food safety, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F, but most chefs recommend medium-rare salmon with a temperature of 125-135°F.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Let the salmon rest before serving. This step is crucial for achieving tender, flaky salmon. You can serve the salmon with lemon wedges, or try it with a Greek yogurt sauce, honey mustard, hot sauce, or bacon aioli. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fryer salmon!
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Salmon seasoning
Salmon is a versatile fish that can be seasoned in many ways. The most popular seasonings are salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Lemon is also a common addition, as it pairs well with salmon.
For a simple seasoning, you can use salt and pepper, along with olive oil or avocado oil, which will help the seasoning stick and keep the salmon moist. You can also add garlic powder and paprika for extra flavour and colour. If you want to add a little heat, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
There are several other seasoning options to try. For a zesty flavour, swap the paprika for lemon pepper seasoning. For a spicy kick, use Cajun seasoning, or add dried oregano and thyme for a simple, herby twist. If you're feeling fancy, try a maple Dijon glaze by mixing Dijon mustard with maple syrup and brushing it on before air-frying. You can also brush on a teriyaki glaze or spicy honey in the last few minutes of cooking for a sweet and sticky finish.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and glazes to find your favourite. You can also try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some fresh herbs like dill or parsley after cooking for a bright, fresh flavour.
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Salmon glaze
There are many different glazes that you can use for your salmon. Here are some ideas:
- Honey garlic glaze: Mix honey, soy sauce, and garlic or garlic powder.
- Maple soy glaze: Combine maple syrup, soy sauce, sriracha, and garlic.
- Maple Dijon: Mix Dijon mustard with maple syrup and brush it on before air frying.
- Teriyaki glaze: Brush the salmon with teriyaki sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Spicy honey: Drizzle with hot honey after cooking.
You can also try a smoky BBQ glaze by swapping the paprika for smoked paprika and adding brown sugar, or a sweet and savory glaze using brown sugar and honey.
Cooking the salmon
Once you have chosen and prepared your glaze, follow these steps to cook the salmon:
- Prepare the salmon: If using frozen salmon, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Add the glaze: Brush the glaze onto the salmon fillets or pour it over the top. Make sure the glaze is evenly distributed.
- Cook the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 7-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness.
- Check for doneness: Use a fork to check if the salmon is cooked to your liking. The salmon should flake easily when it is done.
- Serve: Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve with any remaining sauce. Enjoy!
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