Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Skin Secrets

Salmon is a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, but one of the best ways to prepare it is in an air fryer. Not only does cooking salmon in an air fryer give it a crispy skin, but it's also quick, easy, and fuss-free.

To make salmon skin crispy in an air fryer, start by patting the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Then, drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the fillets, followed by a seasoning of your choice. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin-side up, and cook at 400°F for 7-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

The key to achieving crispy skin is to ensure the salmon is dry before cooking and to cook it at a high temperature. This method will give you a delicious, crispy skin with a tender and juicy interior.

Preheat the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in achieving the perfect crispy salmon skin. By setting the temperature to 200C/400F for 5 minutes, you create the ideal environment for cooking the salmon. This step ensures that the air fryer basket is heated evenly, allowing for consistent cooking results.

During the preheating process, the air fryer's heating elements work to reach and maintain the desired temperature. This step is crucial as it helps to create a stable cooking environment. It also ensures that the salmon skin starts to crisp up as soon as it comes into contact with the hot air and the basket's surface.

Preheating also helps to reduce the overall cooking time. Since the air fryer is already at the desired temperature, you can simply place the salmon in the basket and let it cook for the recommended duration. This saves time and ensures that your salmon is cooked efficiently.

While preheating, you can also use this time to prepare the salmon fillets. Pat them dry with paper towels, and then drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil. Make sure to coat all sides of the salmon evenly. This step helps to ensure that the salmon doesn't stick to the air fryer basket and promotes even cooking.

Additionally, during the preheat time, you can prepare your spice rub or seasoning. A simple combination of salt and pepper can work wonders, but feel free to experiment with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even a drizzle of lemon juice. You can also make a more complex spice rub with ingredients like smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and black pepper.

By the time your air fryer finishes preheating, your salmon fillets will be well-prepared and ready for cooking. Simply place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are skin-side up, and let them cook for the recommended time, usually around 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.

Remember, preheating your air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes is a crucial step in achieving the perfect crispy salmon skin. It ensures even cooking, reduces overall cooking time, and allows you to prepare the salmon fillets with oil and seasonings.

Make a spice rub with smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and black pepper

To make a spice rub with smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and black pepper, simply mix the ingredients in a small bowl. You can adjust the measurements of each spice to your taste preferences. This spice rub can then be sprinkled onto salmon fillets and cooked in the air fryer for a delicious, crispy-skinned salmon dish.

Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

Start by patting the salmon fillets dry with a kitchen paper towel. This will help the spice rub to adhere better to the fish. You can use salmon with or without the skin, depending on your preference. If you choose to remove the skin, you can do so gently with your fingers, a sharp knife, or fish tweezers.

Step 2: Make the Spice Rub

In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and black pepper. Mix these spices together, adjusting the amounts to suit your taste. You can also add other dried herbs or spices of your choice to create a unique flavour profile.

Step 3: Apply the Spice Rub

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil onto the salmon fillets. Then, sprinkle the spice rub generously onto each fillet. Use your hands to pat the rub into the fish, ensuring an even coating.

Step 4: Cook the Salmon in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F for about 5 minutes. Carefully place the seasoned salmon into the air fryer basket, skin-side up if your salmon has skin. Cook for 7-8 minutes at the same temperature, or until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 120°F/50°C. The fish will continue to cook slightly as it rests.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Salmon with crispy skin goes well with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the salmon for added flavour.

Pat the salmon dry with a kitchen paper towel

To make salmon skin crispy in an air fryer, it's important to ensure that the salmon is dry before cooking. This is because moisture can prevent the skin from crisping up properly. Therefore, after you have cut your salmon into portions, you should pat it dry with a kitchen paper towel. You can then brush or drizzle both sides of the salmon with olive oil or avocado oil, before seasoning and placing it in the air fryer.

Drizzle olive oil on the fillets

Once you've coated the salmon fillets in oil, it's time to season them. Sprinkle the fillets with salt and pepper, and any other dried herbs or spices you desire. You could also add a rub of smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt and black pepper.

After seasoning, place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side up, and cook for 7-10 minutes at 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets, so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Once the salmon is done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavour.

Sprinkle the fish seasoning on each fillet

Now it's time to add the seasoning to your salmon fillets! This is a really important step as it will add flavour to your fish and help to create that crispy skin.

First, make sure you have your chosen fish seasoning blend to hand. This could be a simple combination of salt and pepper, or something more complex like a spice rub. You can even make your own by mixing together some of your favourite dried herbs and spices.

Take your seasoning and sprinkle a generous amount over each fillet, making sure to coat the fish evenly. You can use your hands to gently rub the seasoning into the salmon, or simply leave it as a sprinkle on the surface.

If you want to add a little extra flavour, you could also try drizzling a small amount of olive oil over the fillets before applying the seasoning. This will help the herbs and spices stick to the fish and create an even coating.

Once you've seasoned your salmon to perfection, it's almost time to pop it into the air fryer! But first, let's talk about temperature and timing...

Frequently asked questions