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This Air Fryer Salmon is umami and a little sweet, soft, flaky with crispy skin. It’s high protein, low-calorie and low-carb.
When you think about ‘fancy dinners,’ what’s one of the best dishes that comes to mind? If you’re anything like me, salmon immediately jumps into your brain.
For anyone who’s never cooked salmon before, it can be a little intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! Restaurant-quality salmon is just twenty minutes away, thanks to this tasty recipe.
With soy sauce, garlic, honey, and a splash of sesame, this fillet of salmon is an incredibly simple choice that will elevate your mid-week meals. It’s also great for date nights and special occasions!
So, without any further ado, let’s get into my recipe for perfect air fryer salmon.
Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients and Substitutes
Salmon fillets (2) – You can use fresh or frozen salmon fillets.
Soy sauce (2 tbsp) – swap for coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
Apple cider vinegar (½ tsp) – other vinegar will do as well
Honey (1 tbsp) – use any other sweetener if you wish
Onion powder (1 tsp)
Garlic powder (1 tsp)
Sesame seeds (1 tsp) – you can use sesame oil instead.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
Step 1-2. Mix your soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, onion powder, garlic powder, and sesame seeds. Stir your sauce to combine.
Step 3. Lay your salmon fillets on a non-stick tray or pan, making sure they’re skin-side up. Drizzle the prepared sauce over them, making sure to distribute it evenly.
Leave them to sit for five to ten minutes so that the flavors can soak in.
Step 4. Preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C) for 5 minutes while you’re letting the salmon sit. Once it’s preheated, spray with around two pumps of olive oil to prevent your salmon from sticking.
Step 5. From there, all you need to do is lay your salmon skin side down and pour the rest of the sauce over it. If you’re using sesame seeds, sprinkle them over the salmon now to give it some extra crunch.
Step 6. Finally, fry your salmon for about seven minutes! It should be tender and flaky but not raw in the middle.
There you have it! Just twenty minutes of your time, and you can be enjoying a delicious, restaurant-quality piece of salmon without the stress.
How Long Should I Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer?
The amount of time you should cook your salmon in the air fryer will depend on the size of the fillet. That said, most fillets will cook in between 8 to 10 minutes.
Make sure to coat the fillets in plenty of olive oil. Olive oil has a high smoke point, so it helps the salmon get crispy without overcooking in those minutes.
How to Store Leftover Salmon?
Leftover salmon will last in the fridge for up to 2 days when stored in a container.
Can You Cook Frozen Salmon?
Absolutely! Keeping raw salmon frozen is great if you find a great deal on salmon fillets and want to stock up ahead of time. There are a number of ways you can cook frozen salmon.
From the grill to the oven, frozen salmon will defrost and crisp up fairly quickly, thanks to the high moisture content.
More specifically, if you’d like to cook your frozen salmon in the air fryer, you only need twenty minutes. Grease up the basket and place the fillet skin side down. Bake at 390F for around 9 minutes.
Check the fillet before removing it. It might need more or less time, depending on its size!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon?
- Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Lemon
- Air Fried Asparagus
- Light and Delicious Mediterranean Salad
- Spanish Pilaf
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Juicy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast
Watch: How to Make It
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 x salmon fillets fresh or slightly smoked
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Notes
- Mix together the sauce. Pour it over the salmon fillets and let them sit with the skin facing upwards for 5-10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer with 2 pumps of olive oil to prevent sticking and place the salmon fillets skin down. Pour over the sauce, making sure it covers the fillets beautifully.
- Air fry for 7 minutes at 400F (200C).
- Let them cool down for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.