Air fryer salmon is perfect for a quick, flavorful meal. It’s a delicious and healthy option that takes minimal time.
The salmon comes out moist and tender, sure to delight your taste buds. Plus, I’ll share an easy side dish recipe to complement your salmon!
Fresh Vs. Frozen Salmon
When it comes to seafood, many people believe that fresh ones, in this case, fresh salmon is always superior. However, the truth is a bit more nuanced.
Sure, fresh salmon boasts an unbeatable flavor, but not everyone has easy access to a seafood market that sells newly-caught fish. That’s where frozen salmon comes in as a fantastic alternative that retains all the nutritional benefits of its fresh counterpart.
So, the next time you’re struggling to get your hands on fresh salmon, don’t hesitate to turn to the freezer aisle. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how delicious frozen salmon can be!
Which Tools To Cook Air-fried Salmon?
Before getting to the cooking process, it’s important to have the right tools on hand to make your experience as seamless as possible. Let’s take a look!
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Air Fryer Salmon?
I’ll use fresh and frozen salmon so as to show you the best ways to prepare both options. In addition, I’ll include the required ingredients for my favorite side dish: air fryer asparagus.
How to Air Fry Salmon Properly?
I know that you’re super eager to start cooking, so I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Let’s start making some succulent salmon.
For Fresh Salmon
Step 1: Preheat The Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 4 minutes.
Step 2: Make The Sauce
In the meantime, start making the sauce by combining the below components in a medium-sized bowl.
Combine everything together with a whisk.
Step 3: Air Fry The Salmon
Once the air fryer has finished preheating, spray a thin layer of oil on the basket.
Place the salmon into the air fryer, skin side touching the basket.
Brush the sauce on all sides of the salmon, except for the skin side.
Select the “fish mode” on your air fryer and cook the salmon at 350°F for 8 minutes.
After cooking, let the fish rest for about 5 minutes, and enjoy it with your favorite side dish. You can also eat the fish right out of the air fryer.
For Frozen Salmon
Step 1: Thaw The Salmon
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 4 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Place the frozen salmon into the basket, skin side facing down and touching the basket.
Select “fish mode” and air fry the salmon at 350°F for 7 minutes to thaw it.
Step 2: Cook The Salmon
Brush the sauce on the salmon as instructed above.
Cook the fish at 350°F for 8 minutes in “fish mode.”
After that, let the salmon rest for about 5 minutes before eating.
Quick And Tasty Side Dish Suggestions
There are plenty of great side dish choices for air fryer salmon. You can pair it with your vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli. The fish also tastes fantastic when eaten with rice or quinoa.
I usually quickly cook some asparagus and slice up a lemon to enjoy with my salmon. Here’s how I make my asparagus using an air fryer.
Step 1: Place The Asparagus Into The Air Fryer
Grease the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Put the asparagus into the air fryer and spray it with olive oil. Season the vegetables with some salt and pepper.
Step 2: Air Fry The Asparagus
Select the “vegetable mode” and cook the asparagus at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip the asparagus halfway through.
Depending on the size of your asparagus, you might need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
Extra Tips For Cooking And Storing Salmon
While the air fryer has simplified the cooking process, salmon (and seafood in general) isn’t always an easy ingredient to get right. Worry not. Here are some insights to help you cook and store salmon.
Air Fryer Salmon – Easy, Tasty, And Nutritious
Air fryer salmon is one dish you can count on when you need a nutritious meal that tastes good and is easy to make. Given that the recipe takes less than 30 minutes to whip, there’s no reason not to give it a try today.
What are your thoughts on this recipe? Do you have any suggestions for improving the dish? Please let me know all of them in the comment section. Also, don’t forget to give the post a 5-star rating and share it with others!
Air Fryer Salmon (Fresh Or Frozen)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Basting Brush
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 0.55 pounds of fresh salmon
- 0.55 pounds of frozen salmon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For the side dish:
- 1 lemon
- 2.8 ounces asparagus
Instructions
For Fresh Salmon
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 4 minutes. Add honey, dried thyme, olive oil, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper powder, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl.
- Combine everything together with a whisk.
- Once the air fryer has finished preheating, spray a thin layer of oil on the basket. Place the salmon into the air fryer, skin side touching the basket. Brush the sauce on all sides of the salmon, except for the skin side.
- Select the fish mode on your air fryer and cook the salmon at 350°F for 8 minutes. Once done, let the fish rest for about 5 minutes, and enjoy.
For Frozen Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 4 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the frozen salmon into the basket, skin side facing down and touching the basket.
- Select fish mode and air fry the salmon at 350°F for 7 minutes to thaw it. Brush the sauce on the salmon as instructed above.
- Cook the fish at 350°F for 8 minutes in fish mode. Once done, let the salmon rest for about 5 minutes before eating.
For The Asparagus
- Grease the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Put the asparagus into the air fryer and spray them with a little olive oil. Season the vegetables with some salt and pepper.
- Select the vegetable modeand cook the asparagus at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip the asparagus halfway through.
Video
Notes
- The total time is for making 4 servings of fresh salmon. If you make your dish with frozen salmon, the dish will take about 7 minutes more to make.
- Gently press the salmon with a fork. If the fish separate and give way easily, the fish is done cooking. Cook the salmon for about 1 minute more if necessary.
- For salmon that’s less than 1.5 inches thick, you should reduce the cooking time and check the fish’s doneness frequently.
- If you need to store leftover fish, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Your salmon will last for about 2 days.
Nutrition
Tien – Alden
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Recipe Development, Food Editor, Beverage Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Asian Food Content Creator
Education
Saigon Tourism College
Advanced Culinary Workshop, Beijing
Vietnamese Traditional Cooking School
American College of Vietnam
Alden is a skilled chef with expertise in Asian cuisines, known for blending traditional Vietnamese and Chinese cooking with contemporary innovations. Alden’s passion for Asian flavors and her creative approach to both food and beverages inspires fellow chefs and those aspiring to enter the field.