Air-Fried Honey Glazed Salmon: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Honey-glazed salmon is a delicious and healthy dish that can be easily prepared in an air fryer. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you can have a mouthwatering meal that is both tender and flavourful. The air fryer's quick cooking time and the delectable honey glaze come together to create moist and tasty salmon that will tantalise your taste buds. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion and can be paired with various side dishes.

Choosing the right salmon fillets

First, decide whether you prefer skin-on or skinless salmon fillets. Both options are suitable for this recipe, but skin-on salmon may help keep the fish moist during cooking and make it easier to handle. If you opt for skin-on salmon, remember to place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket.

When purchasing salmon, look for wild-caught, high-quality fillets with vibrant colour and a fresh ocean scent. Wild Alaskan salmon is considered the best on the market, but any fresh, high-quality salmon will do. Ensure the fillets are of similar size to help them cook evenly.

You can use any type of salmon you like, such as Atlantic, sockeye, or coho. The size of the fillets will also impact the cooking time, so choose thicker fillets for a longer cooking time and thinner fillets for a shorter cooking time.

If you're using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. You can also use fresh salmon and keep it in the freezer for those busy weeknights.

Lastly, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give each fillet some space to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook the salmon in batches if your air fryer basket is on the smaller side.

Preparing the honey glaze

The honey glaze is a simple mixture of honey and other ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. It is important to prepare this ahead of time to allow the flavours to meld together and intensify. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the honey glaze:

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

You will need honey, soy sauce or coconut aminos, garlic, and optionally, olive oil, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can also substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and garlic. If you are using olive oil, ginger, black pepper, or red pepper flakes, add them to the mixture as well. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined and the glaze has a smooth consistency.

Step 3: Adjust to taste

Taste the glaze and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more honey if you prefer a sweeter glaze, or increase the amount of soy sauce for a saltier flavour. If using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, start with a smaller amount and adjust to your taste preference.

Step 4: Set aside

Once you are happy with the flavour of your glaze, set it aside while you prepare the salmon fillets. You will use this glaze to brush onto the salmon before and during the air-frying process.

Step 5: Storage

If you have any leftover glaze, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This will allow you to make honey-glazed salmon again quickly, without having to prepare the glaze from scratch.

Marinating the salmon

Firstly, make the marinade by whisking together the honey, soy sauce, oil, salt, pepper, and garlic or garlic powder. If you're making the Two Sleevers recipe, you will also need to add olive oil, grated ginger, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the marinade.

Next, place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon, making sure that the fish is evenly coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag, and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

While the salmon is marinating, you can preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Once the salmon has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and shake off any excess liquid. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. If you are cooking more salmon than fits comfortably in your air fryer with space around each fillet, you may need to cook the fish in batches.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your salmon cooks evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the perfect honey-glazed salmon:

Step 1: Understand Your Air Fryer

Different air fryer models may have specific instructions, so it is essential to refer to your air fryer's manual. Some air fryers have a preheat setting, while others may require you to set the desired temperature manually. Knowing your air fryer's specifics will help you achieve the best results.

Step 2: Preheat to the Right Temperature

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. For cooking salmon, a temperature of around 400°F to 425°F is ideal. This temperature range will ensure your salmon cooks through without drying out. Allow your air fryer to preheat for a few minutes until it reaches the set temperature.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

While your air fryer is preheating, it is a good time to prepare the air fryer basket. Line the basket with foil to make cleanup easier and prevent the glaze from sticking to the basket. You can also spray the foil with oil to prevent the salmon from sticking.

Step 4: Don't Overcrowd the Basket

When placing your salmon fillets into the basket, ensure they are not touching. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking, so give each fillet some space. If you are cooking more fillets than your air fryer basket can accommodate, cook them in batches.

Step 5: Know When It's Ready

Depending on your air fryer, it should take a few minutes to preheat to the desired temperature. Most air fryers will have a light or an indicator that lets you know when it has reached the set temperature. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, you can use an external thermometer to check the temperature.

Step 6: Maintain Temperature

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature, you can proceed to the next steps of your recipe. It is important to maintain the temperature to ensure efficient cooking. If you need to open the air fryer during the cooking process, do so quickly to minimise temperature loss.

Preheating your air fryer is a simple but crucial step in cooking honey-glazed salmon. By following these steps, you'll create a delicious, evenly cooked meal with that desirable flaky texture.

Cooking the salmon

Now that you have your ingredients ready and your glaze mixed, it's time to cook the salmon!

First, pat the salmon fillets dry and season them with salt and pepper. This will ensure the glaze sticks to the salmon and enhance its flavour.

Next, line your air fryer basket with foil. This step is important as it makes the clean-up process easier and keeps the glaze from dripping off the salmon. Spray the foil with oil to prevent the salmon from sticking.

Place the salmon fillets into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded and have some space between them for even cooking. Brush the fillets with the glaze, making sure to coat them evenly.

Close the lid of the air fryer and cook the salmon. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of the fillets. As a guide, cook the salmon at 400°F for 8-10 minutes for 1-inch thick fillets. Check the doneness of the salmon with a fork - perfectly cooked salmon will easily flake apart.

Once the salmon is cooked to your liking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Pour any remaining glaze over the fillets for an extra flavour boost.

Tips for the Best Results

• Always use foil to line the air fryer basket for easier clean-up and to keep the glaze from dripping.
• If using minced garlic, make sure it is snuggled around the salmon, not sitting on top, to avoid a burnt flavour.
• Give the fillets some space in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Cook in batches if needed.
• Check the doneness of the salmon with a fork - if it flakes easily, it's ready!
• Don't overcook the salmon. Keep an eye on it as it cooks, as it can go from perfectly cooked to overdone quickly.
• Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best results.
• If using skin-on salmon, place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions