Tiffany Haney
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook salmon to perfection in just a few minutes, resulting in a tender, flaky, and juicy dish with a crispy crust. The cooking time and temperature depend on the thickness of the salmon fillets and the model of the air fryer, but typically, it takes around 7 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 390°F and 400°F.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer at 390°F for 5 minutes
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your salmon cooks evenly, resulting in a more consistent texture and doneness throughout the fillet. By preheating your air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes, you create the ideal environment for your salmon to cook properly. This step is especially crucial if you want your salmon to have crispy edges and a tender, flaky center.
When preheating your air fryer, it is important to follow the correct procedure. First, ensure that your air fryer is clean and free of any residue from previous cooking sessions. Then, set the temperature to 390°F. Depending on your model, you may need to press a specific button or turn a knob to adjust the temperature. Once the desired temperature is set, let the air fryer heat up for about 5 minutes. Some models may have an automatic shut-off feature when preheating, so keep an eye on it and restart the preheating process if needed.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your salmon fillets. Start by patting them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, as this can lead to soggy fish. You can then brush the fillets with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkle on seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This step not only enhances the flavor of the salmon but also helps to create a delicious crust during cooking.
After the air fryer has preheated for 5 minutes, it's time to place the salmon inside. For optimal cooking, it is recommended to cook the salmon skin-side down. This helps protect the fish and also results in crispy skin, which some people enjoy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the salmon in batches to ensure even cooking. Set the timer for 10 minutes and let the air fryer work its magic.
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Pat the salmon dry and brush with oil
Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. This is an important step as moisture on the surface of the salmon can prevent it from crisping up and browning.
Next, brush the salmon fillets with a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter. This will help the seasoning stick to the salmon and prevent it from drying out. It will also help to create a nice, crispy crust on the surface of the salmon.
If you are using skin-on salmon, it is especially important to pat the skin dry and brush it with oil. This will help the skin become crispy and delicious. Place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer for better results.
After brushing the salmon with oil, you can season it generously. A simple seasoning of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika will add flavor and a little color to the salmon. You can also experiment with other seasonings or marinades to find your favorite combination.
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Season the salmon with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika
To make salmon in an air fryer, start by seasoning the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add olive oil or avocado oil to help the seasoning stick and to keep the salmon from drying out. If you're using a seasoning blend that already has salt, adjust the amount you add accordingly.
When seasoning the salmon, be generous! You can eyeball the amount of seasoning and sprinkle it on top of the salmon fillets. You can also combine the seasonings in a bowl and roll the fillets in the mixture to coat them.
If your salmon has skin, it's recommended to cook it skin-side down. This helps protect the fish and the skin crisps up into a crunchy treat. Before cooking skin-on salmon, pat the skin dry and brush it with oil to help achieve a crispy texture.
Once your salmon fillets are seasoned, you can place them in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to cook two fillets at a time, so you may need to cook them in batches.
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Air fry skin-side down for 10 minutes at 390°F
Cooking salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The air fryer method yields salmon with a flaky centre and seared edges.
To air fry skin-side down for 10 minutes at 390°F, you should first preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about 5 minutes. This step is important for achieving crispy edges. While the air fryer is preheating, pat the salmon skin dry with paper towels to remove any moisture, which can make the fish soggy.
Next, brush the salmon fillets with melted butter or olive oil. You can also use avocado oil. This step helps the seasoning stick and keeps the salmon moist. Then, season the salmon. A simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika works well. You can also add brown sugar or honey to give the salmon a touch of sweetness and help it caramelize.
Once the salmon is seasoned, place it in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Set the air fryer to "air fry" and cook at 390°F for 10 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a temperature setting, you can cook the salmon at 400°F for a shorter amount of time.
After 10 minutes, check the salmon for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 145°F, or 135°F if you prefer your salmon medium-rare. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the fillet. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
Finally, serve the salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and enjoy!
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Check for doneness with a fork and serve with lemon
Once the salmon has been in the air fryer for around 8 minutes, it's a good idea to check on it to prevent it from overcooking or burning on top. The best way to check for doneness is to use a fork to gently flake the thickest part of the fillet. If the salmon flakes off easily, it is ready. If not, continue cooking and check again in a minute or two. Be careful not to overcook the salmon, as it can dry out.
When the salmon is done, remove it from the air fryer and serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Lemon is, of course, optional, but it adds brightness and complements the natural flavors of the salmon. If you want to get fancy, serve the salmon with a handful of herbs and a side of asparagus or roasted vegetables.
If you have leftovers, they will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. To freeze, let the salmon cool completely, then place it on parchment paper in a storage container to prevent it from sticking to the sides.
Reheating salmon can be tricky, as it tends to dry out easily. To prevent this, reheat the salmon low and slow, either in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook salmon in an air fryer at 390°F (190°C) for 7 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet and how cold the salmon is when you start. The ideal internal temperature for the salmon is 145°F (63°C).
The best way to check if your salmon is done is to use a fork to gently flake the thickest part of the fillet. If it easily flakes and is opaque in the center, it is ready to be served. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
To get crispy salmon skin, pat the skin dry before cooking and place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer. Cooking at a higher temperature can also help achieve crispier skin.
