Air-Fryer Guide: Cooking Thawed Salmon

Cooking thawed salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare salmon. You can cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, which will thaw the salmon as it cooks. To cook salmon in an air fryer, you should preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F, place the salmon in the basket, and cook for 5-7 minutes. After this initial cooking time, you can add olive oil, lemon, and seasonings, and cook the salmon for another 5-7 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 400° F

Preheating your air fryer is the first step to cooking thawed salmon. Set your air fryer to 400° F. This will ensure your salmon is cooked evenly and thoroughly. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can add the salmon.

It's important to note that the air fryer basket should be sprayed with cooking oil spray before placing the salmon inside. This will prevent the salmon from sticking to the basket and make for easier clean-up. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the basket.

The preheating process is crucial as it ensures the salmon cooks evenly and efficiently. It also helps to seal in the moisture, resulting in juicy and flavourful salmon.

By preheating the air fryer to 400° F, you create the ideal cooking environment for your salmon. This temperature is high enough to cook the salmon thoroughly without drying it out. It's the perfect balance to achieve a delicious, flaky texture.

Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin side down

Once your air fryer is preheated to 360ºF-400ºF, place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Make sure you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as the hot air needs to be able to circulate around each fillet to cook the salmon properly.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray before placing the salmon in it. If your fillets are less than 1 1/2 inches thick, start with 3-4 minutes. For thicker fillets, 5 minutes is enough to thaw the salmon.

After the initial cooking time, you can add olive oil and seasonings to the salmon.

Cook for 5 minutes to thaw

Cooking thawed salmon in an air fryer is easy. First, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Once it's hot, place the salmon in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes to thaw.

For this step, it's important to note that the salmon should be placed skin-side down in the basket. If your salmon fillets are less than 1 1/2 inches thick, start with 3-4 minutes.

After 5 minutes, open the air fryer basket and season the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper. You can also brush each fillet with 2 tablespoons of mustard sauce or sauce of your choice.

Close the basket and cook the salmon for an additional 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. For thinner fillets, 5 minutes should be enough, while thicker fillets may need up to 7 minutes.

In total, the salmon should cook for 11-13 minutes, but this may vary depending on the thickness of your fillets. It's important to check the internal temperature of the salmon to ensure it has reached 140-145°F. If it hasn't, air fry the salmon for an additional 1-2 minutes as needed.

Season the salmon with salt and pepper

To season the salmon with salt and pepper, first preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the frozen salmon in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes. After this initial cooking period, you can season the salmon. Generously season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, and brush each fillet with 2 tablespoons of mustard sauce or sauce of your choice.

Brush the salmon with mustard sauce

To cook thawed salmon in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400° F. Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray and place the salmon, skin side down, in the basket. Cook for 5 minutes to thaw. After 5 minutes, season the salmon with salt and pepper, and brush each fillet with 2 tablespoons of mustard sauce. Close the basket and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. The total cooking time will be 11-13 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Check the internal temperature of the salmon, making sure it has reached 140-145° F. Air fry the salmon for an additional 1 or 2 minutes as necessary.

Brushing the salmon with mustard sauce adds flavour and moisture to the dish. The sauce should be prepared before you begin cooking the salmon. You can use store-bought mustard sauce or make your own. To make your own mustard sauce, simply combine mustard with other ingredients such as honey, lemon juice, or herbs. The sauce can be as simple or as complex as you like. For a basic mustard sauce, mix equal parts Dijon mustard and honey. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or some chopped fresh herbs for extra flavour.

When brushing the sauce onto the salmon, use a pastry brush or a spoon. Be sure to coat the entire surface of the salmon evenly. You can also brush the sauce onto the sides of the salmon for extra flavour. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce evenly.

The amount of sauce you use will depend on your personal preference and the size of the salmon fillets. For a light coating, use about 1 tablespoon of sauce per fillet. For a more generous coating, use 2 tablespoons or more. You can always add more sauce later if needed.

After brushing the salmon with mustard sauce, return it to the air fryer to finish cooking. The sauce will caramelize and form a delicious crust on the salmon. Be sure to check the salmon regularly to ensure it doesn't overcook. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried salmon!

Frequently asked questions