Air-Fryer Frozen Salmon: Quick, Crispy, Delicious

Cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to prepare a healthy and delicious meal. There are several benefits to this cooking method, including the ability to cook the salmon straight from frozen without defrosting, resulting in tender and flaky fillets. The air fryer also helps to retain moisture in the fish, ensuring it stays juicy and tasty.

To cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 390–400°F (199–204°C). Then, remove any excess ice from the frozen salmon fillets and place them in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if your fillets have skin. Cook the salmon for 7–12 minutes to defrost, and then brush or spray the fillets with oil and season with salt and pepper, or a spice blend of your choice. Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness. The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (62.7°C) or 125–135°F (52–57°C) for a more moist texture.

How to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer without defrosting it first

Air fryer recipes are a quick and easy way to cook a healthy and delicious meal. This is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer without defrosting it first.

Ingredients

• Frozen salmon fillets
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (199-204°C).
• Remove any excess ice from your salmon fillets. You can do this by patting them down with paper towels.
• Place the frozen fillets directly in your air fryer basket, skin-side down if your fillets have skin.
• Cook the frozen salmon for 7 minutes.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay lemon slices over the fillets, if using.
• Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and your desired level of doneness. The salmon is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and flakes easily when scraped with a fork.

Tips

• It is important to make sure the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145°F (63°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
• If you are cooking salmon with skin, it may take slightly longer, and the skin will not be crispy.
• You can eat the salmon as-is or use it in another recipe, such as a salad, casserole, or pasta dish.

How to make sure your salmon is cooked but not dry

To make sure your salmon is cooked but not dry, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the type of salmon you use can make a difference. Frozen salmon is a great option as it's convenient and can be cooked straight from frozen, but if you're using fresh salmon, it's best to buy it from a local fishmonger. When it comes to cooking, it's important to note that the size and thickness of your salmon fillet will impact the cooking time. Most recipes recommend cooking salmon in the air fryer for around 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness. However, it's always better to slightly undercook the salmon and then add more time as needed, rather than accidentally overcooking it. To check if your salmon is done, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The recommended temperature for food safety is 145°F, but if you prefer your salmon more moist and tender, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 125°F. Additionally, you can also look at the salmon to check for doneness. The salmon should be crisp and slightly browned on the edges and should flake easily when scraped gently with a fork.

How to season salmon for an air fryer

There are many ways to season salmon fillets for an air fryer, and the best method for you will depend on your taste preferences. Here is a list of seasoning suggestions:

• Garlic lemon: Replace the Dijon mustard and soy sauce in your recipe with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Increase the garlic powder to 1 and 1/2 teaspoons and add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. You can also arrange lemon slices on top of the salmon while it cooks.
• Honey garlic: Use 2 tablespoons of honey, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and omit the soy sauce and ginger. Season the cooked salmon with an extra pinch of salt.
• Teriyaki: Brush the salmon with your favourite teriyaki sauce before cooking.
• Spicy salmon: Season the salmon with your favourite Cajun seasoning.
• Dijon mustard: Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the salmon fillets to keep the tops moist and add flavour. You could also use stone-ground mustard for added texture.
• Spices: Use a blend of sweet paprika (or smoked paprika), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Lemon slices: Place lemon slices on top of the salmon while it cooks. The heat will soften the lemons, making them extra juicy. Squeeze the softened lemons over the fish before serving.
• Brown sugar or honey: These sweeteners give the salmon a perfect touch of sweetness and help it caramelise.
• Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper: Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the salmon fillets and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Finish with a quick spray of olive oil to keep the salmon moist.
• Avocado oil and coarse sea salt: Spray the salmon fillets with avocado oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: Sprinkle the salmon with lemon pepper seasoning after the initial thawing stage so that the lemon pepper flakes don't burn in the air fryer.
• Cajun seasoning: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning on the salmon after the initial thawing stage.
• Maple syrup and honey: Add a splash of sweetness to the salmon by using maple syrup or honey.

How to make sure your salmon is cooked safely

To ensure your salmon is cooked safely, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to start with good-quality frozen salmon fillets. Before cooking, remove any ice or excess water from the fillets by patting them down with paper towels. This will ensure even and thorough cooking and prevent the salmon from becoming mushy.

When cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer, it is recommended to defrost the fish first. Set your air fryer to 390°F and cook the frozen salmon for about 7 minutes. This initial step will partially defrost the fish. After this, brush the salmon with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.

The next step is to return the salmon to the air fryer and cook it for an additional 3-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your desired level of doneness. It is important to note that the USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F, especially for those who are pregnant or immunocompromised. However, at this temperature, the salmon may become dry and overcooked. Most chefs recommend a medium doneness, with an internal temperature of 125-135°F. The best way to check for doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The salmon should be crisp and slightly browned on the edges and should flake easily when gently scraped with a fork.

Additionally, if your salmon fillets have skin, it is recommended to cook them with the skin on, as it helps insulate the fish and keeps it moist. Place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer to prevent overcooking. However, note that the skin will not become crispy.

How to adapt the cooking time depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet

The cooking time for your salmon fillet will depend on its thickness. For a 1-1.5" thick fillet, it is recommended to cook the salmon for 9 minutes at 390°F (199°C) to defrost, and then for a further 7-8 minutes to cook. For thinner fillets, reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes.

For a 5.5 oz fillet that is 1 to 1.5 inches thick, one source recommends cooking at 390°F (199°C) for 9 minutes to defrost, and then for a further 7 to 8 minutes.

For a 6 oz fillet, another source recommends cooking for 7 minutes initially, and then for 6-9 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

For a 6 oz fillet, a third source recommends cooking for 12 to 18 minutes in total, depending on the thickness of the fillet.

For a well-done fillet, 15 minutes should be sufficient. For medium-well, 12 minutes should be enough, and for medium, 10 minutes should suffice.

It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145°F (63°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.

Frequently asked questions