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Although we’re later in January, it’s never too late to set some new cooking goals, especially if you’re someone who resorts to takeout when you’re busy and don’t feel like cooking. This is completely relatable, as I know most of us don’t have the luxury of time to be cooking complex meals for dinner, but you still want something delicious! As I describe in my free motivational guide to explore your potential in the kitchen, Make Cooking Fun!!, one of the most important keys to success is to set realistic goals! Once you see how quick and simple it is to make this salmon, then you really will have no excuse, and this will be a new tool in your arsenal! Trust me, air frying your salmon will now save your weeknight dinners! Salmon is a seafood choice that is known for its rich flavor and health benefits, and this recipe will show how it can be transformed into a tender, mouthwatering dish in just minutes.
If you consider salmon a pesky protein because you over-cook it, it turns out dry, or there’s just no crust, then don’t worry! By following this guide on how to make perfectly air fried salmon, all of your common troubles while cooking salmon will all be resolved, so I strongly encourage you to follow along with this air fried salmon recipe as part of your Live to Cook one-month challenge! Get started for free today by signing up to my email newsletter, plus all of my latest recipes will be delivered straight to your email inbox.
Check out the video to follow along with all the steps we need to make the best salmon ever with the help of your air fryer in no more than 15 minutes! If you haven’t already, it would mean a lot to me if you could please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and be sure to hit the bell button to be notified when all my latest video recipes go live! Let's get air frying!
Why Make Air Fried Salmon?
- Fast: Most methods of cooking salmon are fairly quick, but air frying is indeed a quick one! The salmon will be ready before you know it, I guarantee it!
- Simple process: This is one of the easiest recipes ever! Once you have your Blackening spice prepared, all you need to do is season your salmon, add it to the air fryer, and cook! Air fried salmon is guaranteed to be on your weeknight rotation!
- Minimal clean-up: I love air frying because it’s a really clean cooking method. Additionally, if you’re using an air fryer liner, then all the salmon juices will be transferred onto that, so your basket will nearly be entirely clean! Just account for cleaning a knife and cutting board when you remove the skin from the salmon, in addition to the plates you’ll be eating on, of course!
- Unique to you: You can simply season your chicken breasts, but you can also enhance them greatly with some spice blends! I’ve got some options further down below in this post, so be sure to check that out for inspiration!
WHat Type of Salmon Should I Purchase?▼
Whenever I’m buying salmon, I always go for wild-caught Pacific salmon. There are five types of wild Pacific salmon in North America:
- Sockeye: I get sockeye salmon when I occasionally shop at Whole Foods. It’s got a bright red colour, firm texture, and bold flavour, making it excellent for grilling or to use as sashimi.
- Silver: Also known as Coho salmon, and this is the salmon I’ll be using for this recipe. This variety of salmon is extremely tender with a milder taste, making it a versatile choice for cooking methods such as grilling, baking, and poaching.
- Keta: Distinguished by pink flesh, firm texture, and mild flavour. It’s typically used for smoking.
- King: Also known as Chinook salmon, it’s called “king” salmon because it’s the largest and rarest of all the Pacific salmon varieties. Its flavour is intense and its texture is very smooth. The rich omega-3 levels of this type of salmon offer a rich, buttery texture, making it cherished by chefs.
- Pink: The most commonly found type of Pacific salmon. Pink salmon features a delicate texture and mild taste.
Now, these types of salmon typically cost more, but I find they are well worth it compared to their farmed-raised counterparts, Atlantic salmon. While Atlantic salmon still offers similar health benefits of Pacific salmon, such as omega-3s, protein, and other nutrients, the taste is more mild and the flesh has larger flakes. I notice that Atlantic salmon has a higher fat content and a lower protein content compared to Pacific salmon, so if you want a more protein-dominant choice, then I highly recommend you purchase wild-caught salmon.
To learn more about the different types of salmon available, check out this article.
Do I Cook Salmon with The Skin On or Off?▼
We’ll be cooking the salmon with the skin on, and then removing it after the salmon is cooked. While I worked making sushi professionally for many years and I’d have to remove the skin after processing an entire raw salmon. I understand that most of you reading this probably don’t want to do that! It definitely is much messier and way more technical to remove the skin when your fish is raw, and it’s easier to remove it after your salmon is cooked. We just don’t get skinless salmon at the grocery store, but that works in our favour because that skin will help protect the salmon and keep it moist.
What Tools Are Needed to Make Salmon In the Air Fryer?
- Gloves: Great to spread the seasoning onto the salmon and add it to the air fryer so you don’t dirty your hands!
- Ramekin: Great to have your Blackening spice blend in! You can also store it in a spice jar.
- Air fryer: Can’t make air fried salmon without an air fryer! The air fryer I’m using is the Cosori TurboBlaze 6 Quart. If you want to learn all about its settings and functionalities, in addition to my thoughts on the air fryer, then check out my full review here.
- Air fryer liners: We’ll place a parchment paper liner underneath the tray covering the base of the air fryer basket. The juices of the salmon will drip onto the liner to make your clean-up very minimal.
- Chef’s knife: To cut the skin off the salmon.
- Cutting board: A clean work surface to season the salmon. Make sure you clean your cutting board or use another one when remove the salmon skin so you’re not using the board that had raw salmon on it!
- Olive oil dispenser: I like an olive oil dispenser to spray the oil on the chicken breast so that you’re not using as much oil as you would directly applying it on the chicken. I really would suggest you avoid the spray oils!
- Meat thermometer: The thermometer I’ll be using to check the internal temperature of my salmon is the Typhur Sync Gold Dual Smart wireless meat thermometer.
- Fish spatula: Although called a fish spatula, I actually use it for so much more than fish! I like to use my fish spatula for flipping pancakes, flipping quesadillas such as my Spinach Mushroom and Cheese Quesadilla, or even for flipping hash browns! In this case, we’ll actually be using our fish spatula for fish - our salmon! Since salmon is so delicate, I’ll be using the fish spatula to take the salmon out of the air fryer when it has finished cooking, and gently place it on our cutting board.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon
You can find all ingredients and their quantities by scrolling to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD, or by pressing the “Jump to Recipe” button.
- Salmon fillets: I like to use fresh salmon from my local grocery store. I personally prefer the thicker pieces, so I recommend you go with the belly rather than the tail!
- Olive oil: Olive oil is my favorite choice because it has a mild flavour that pairs well with anything. This will help the spices stick to the salmon and keep the salmon moist.
- Blackening Spice: Made out of cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme, basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, white pepper, and black pepper. Check out the full recipe to see all ingredient quantities! We’re not going to add additional seasoning since there is already salt and pepper in the Blackening spice, so there’s enough seasoning from that spice on its own!
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to help achieve the desired golden, crisp exterior.
Drizzle olive oil over the top and then season each fillet generously with Blackening spice from a height.
Rub the spices evenly on each side of the fillet.
Place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between the fillets if cooking more than one at a time. If using a smart thermometer probe, insert it in the thickest part of the fillet before cooking.
Air fry for 6–13 minutes, depending on the doneness you are going for, start monitoring the internal temperature at the thickest part of the fillet. Here’s a guide to cook times for a fillet about 1 inch in thickness:
- Rare: 110-115°F or 43-46°C - About 6-7 minutes
- Medium-rare: 116-120°F or 47-48°C - About 7-8 minutes
- Medium: 121-125°F or 49-51°C - About 8-9 minutes *the sweet spot!
- Medium-well: 126-140°F or 52-60°C - About 9-11 minutes
- Well done: 141-145°F or 61-65°C - About 11-13 minutes
Transfer onto a board or a plate. The salmon will carry over to about 10 extra degrees Fahrenheit depending on how long the salmon rests. Remove the probe from the salmon if you’re using a smart thermometer.
Gently peel off the skin before serving if you prefer skinless salmon.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Questions You May Have On Amazing Air Fryer Salmon
What is The Secret To the Amazing Salmon in The Air Fryer So It’s Not Dry?▼
The secret to that will ensure that you don’t have dry salmon is to cook by temperature instead of time! Unfortunately, we don’t have a magical time to guarantee perfectly cooked salmon. Plenty of variables will affect the cook time, such as the size of the salmon, the thickness of the fillet, how many salmon fillets you’re cooking, and the power of your air fryer. This is why you can’t go by time, but you really have to measure the temperature! Here is a guide on different doneness levels for salmon:
- Rare: 110-115°F or 43-46°C - About 6-7 minutes
- Medium-rare: 116-120°F or 47-48°C - About 7-8 minutes
- Medium: 121-125°F or 49-51°C - About 8-9 minutes *the sweet spot!
- Medium-well: 126-140°F or 52-60°C - About 9-11 minutes
- Well done: 141-145°F or 61-65°C - About 11-13 minutes
Do You Need to Preheat the Air Fryer?▼
For best results, especially when air frying proteins, then I certainly recommend that you preheat the air fryer. This allows the food begin cooking immediately once you’ve added it into the air fryer basket. Furthermore, because your air fryer has preheated, this improves browning and crisping. You can also ensure more accurate cooking times, similar to a conventional oven. While some air fryers heat up quickly and may not require preheating for everything you want to make in it, proteins such as salmon fillets will significantly benefit from starting in a hot air fryer, helping seal in moisture and prevent it from drying out.
What Temperature Will We Air Fry salmon?▼
We’ll be air frying the salmon fillets at 400°F.
How Long Do You Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer?▼
The time will vary, so I wouldn’t go by a specific time. I suggest you use a smart meat thermometer to set up your preferred doneness. On the mobile app on your smartphone, you can choose if you want your salmon to be medium-rare, medium, or well done, and this will set up the device to alert you once the salmon reaches the correct internal temperature while keeping carry-over cook time into account.
Do You Need to Flip Salmon in the Air Fryer?▼
No, this is not necessary because it will cook on the skin side down the entire time. The skin takes much longer to overcook and can be sacrificed if you’re not intending to have crispy skin salmon. The skin helps protect the inside from overcooking.
How Do You Know the Salmon Has FInished Cooked?▼
If you’ve got a smart meat thermometer similar to the Typhur one, then you’ll get a notification when it’s time to remove the salmon from the air fryer. This should account for the carry-over time it takes for salmon to continue cooking once it’s out of the air fryer. While salmon doesn’t need to rest, there will still be a slight carry-over from removing the salmon from the basket to slicing and serving, so for best results you should remove the salmon a few degrees sooner than the temperature you’re aiming for.
Can I Air Fry Salmon without Olive Oil?▼
Olive oil is not absolutely needed, but it’s highly recommended to cook salmon well! Adding oil will help ensure even cooking and prevent the spices from burning on top of the salmon. Additionally, the olive oil will add a touch of flavour, and it will give the desired perfect crust on the top of the salmon fillet.
Can You AIr Fry Salmon from frozen?▼
No, this really isn’t recommended! This is because the Blackening spice won’t be able to stick to the salmon fillet since the frozen top will result in condensation as it thaws. You could thaw the salmon until the top has mostly defrosted, and then season and air fry. Keep in mind that it will take slightly longer to cook than what is demonstrated here, so this is why checking the temperature is imperative!
Is Air Fryer Salmon Healthy?▼
Air frying your salmon is definitely a really nutritious option! As mentioned earlier, if you’re using wild caught salmon, then that’s the more nutritious choice. A 3.5 ounce (100 grams) portion of wild-caught salmon has 25 grams of protein and 8 grams of fat for a total of 182 calories, where farmed salmon has 22 grams of protein and 12 grams of fat, for a total of 206 calories. The nutritional profiles aren’t too different, but if you’re looking for even more protein and less fat for less calories, then I suggest you look for the wild-caught salmon.
Both types of fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is a heart-healthy fat that assists in decreasing inflammation and support brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids could lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as reduce other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer as a result of lowering inflammation. These fatty acids are viewed as “essential” fatty acids because your body cannot create them, so they must be obtained through diet. It is recommended to consume at least two servings of salmon per week to meet the omega-3 fatty acid needs, so I hope that seeing how easy air frying salmon is will inspire you to be on top of your salmon consumption! Salmon is also high in B vitamins, which are essential to produce energy, regulate inflammation, and protect heart and brain health. Furthermore, salmon contains vitamin A, which is key for vision health. Vitamin D that is present in salmon will also support bone health by increasing the absorption of calcium. To learn more about the health benefits of salmon, check out this article.
In addition, by using the air fryer to cook the fish, we’ll use significantly less oil than we would in other cooking methods, such as in my Pan-Seared Blackened Salmon. If you want to cut the amount of oil you’re using in your cooking to save calories, then air frying is the perfect choice!
Tips for Amazing Air Fryer Salmon!
- Pat the salmon dry: If the salmon is wet, then the seasonings won’t be able to stick onto the top properly. It’s key to pat it down dry so the flavour is locked in and that you get the desired crust.
- Season generously: Add your seasoning generously and all around the salmon fillet so that there is deliciousness throughout.
- Add olive oil: Olive oil adds flavour, ensures even cooking, and will give you a perfect crust on top.
- Cook the with skin on: The skin is hard to over-cook, so this will act as a shield if we keep it on when cooking skin side down.
- Temperature check the salmon: Instead of guessing how long it will take to get the salmon completely cooked to your preferred doneness, all you need to do is have a meat thermometer on hand to measure the temperature! This will free up some mental space and you can cook with confidence knowing that you will get an alert when it’s time to remove the salmon, so just be ready! If you don’t have a thermometer, then for a 1 inch thick salmon fillet, you’ll want to check the doneness at around the 7 minute mark.
- Remove the salmon early: There will be some carry-over time from you remove the salmon from the air fryer until you slice and serve. This means that the salmon will keep cooking even after it’s away from the heat element. Some smart thermometers can account for this automatically and alert your phone.
Variations of Air Fryer Salmon
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy your air fryer salmon! Check out the different spice blends and sauces below to switch things up so your dinner is never boring, yet still easy and fast to make!
- Italian Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
- Curry Powder
- Hot Honey Salmon
- Salmon with my Simple Stir Fry Sauce
- Avocado Lime Crema
- Garlic Parmesan
- Garlic Lemon
- Honey Garlic
- Maple Soy
Storing and Reheating Instructions
How to Store▼
I personally prefer salmon fresh and don’t like to keep it. However, if for some reason you’ve made extra and need to keep it, then transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.
Can I freeze Cooked Salmon?▼
I wouldn’t freeze cooked salmon, and to be honest I’ve actually never thought of doing this! If you were to do that, then thawing it will probably result in a strange texture and the inside will definitely be dry and crumbly once reheated.
Reheating
Reheating salmon is always a bit tricky since it’s so delicate! However, you should be able to air fry your salmon fillet to reheat it. Select the “Reheat” function on your air fryer and pay close attention, as it may only take a minute or two for the salmon to be entirely warmed through. When you overheat it, it gets broken and flaky!
What to Serve Salmon With
The possibilities with a basic chicken breast are really endless! Here’s just a few ideas for you to craft your perfect meal!
- Salad: Pair it with my Arugula Goat Cheese Salad with Almonds.
- Pasta: You can use your air fried salmon in my Healthy Lemon Spaghetti with White Wine!
- Rice: Steamed Basmati Rice is the simplest and most versatile rice option to go with any protein choice! This air fryer Blackened salmon would also be amazing with Greek Lemon Rice Pilaf, Mexican Red Rice, Turmeric Rice, or even Indian Cilantro Lemon Rice!
- Veggies: Coconut Green Beans, Garlic-Sautéed Broccoli.
- Potatoes: Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Garlic-Herb Mashed Potatoes, or Butter & Garlic-Herb Sautéed Baby Potatoes.
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