The Best Means To Cook dinner Excellent Salmon
Completely tender inside, golden and flippantly crisp on the perimeters — this air fryer salmon recipe has formally change into our household’s favourite option to prepare dinner salmon. ♡
I’m actually so impressed with how reliably the air fryer cooks salmon to perfection. The fillets come out juicy and flaky on the within with that irresistibly crisp, caramelized floor on the surface each single time. No splattering oil, no babysitting the pan, no guesswork required. And all of it comes collectively simply in simply 10 minutes!
All you want are a handful of pantry spices, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of recent lemon to make it shine. Serve it up with some roasted (or air-fried) veggies with a inexperienced salad, add the salmon to your favourite pasta or grain bowl, tuck it into tacos with a squeeze of lime — nonetheless you serve it, this all-purpose air fryer salmon recipe is totally a keeper.
Recipe Suggestions
Just a few useful tricks to make your air fryer salmon end up completely each time:
- Pat it dry: Don’t skip this fast step! Eradicating extra moisture from the floor of the salmon helps it to crisp up as a substitute of steaming.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Make certain there’s somewhat area round every fillet in order that the air can flow into evenly.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: Pull the salmon out at 125–130°F for medium; it’ll proceed to prepare dinner barely because it rests.
- Preheat for finest outcomes: A fast 2–3 minute preheat of the air fryer will assist guarantee a flippantly caramelized floor.
- End with lemon or herbs: A squeeze of lemon juice, recent dill, or parsley provides brightness proper earlier than serving.
Seasoning Choices
Probably the greatest issues about air fryer salmon is how straightforward it’s to customise! The recipe I included beneath is my favourite all-purpose spice mix that goes with nearly all the things. However listed below are just a few extra enjoyable seasoning blends and marinades to strive:
- Lemon Pepper Salmon: Earlier than air frying, drizzle the salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle on a mixture of lemon zest, freshly cracked black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt for a vivid, citrusy taste.
- Honey Mustard Salmon: Whisk collectively 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Brush the combination over the salmon simply earlier than air frying for a tangy-sweet glaze.
- Teriyaki Salmon: Brush the fillets with teriyaki sauce earlier than air frying, then drizzle somewhat further on high simply earlier than serving for further shine and taste.
- Blackened Salmon: After coating the salmon with olive oil, generously sprinkle it with blackened seasoning (just like the one I take advantage of right here) for a daring, smoky kick.
- Mediterranean Salmon: Earlier than cooking, season the salmon with za’atar or sumac, then end with a sprinkle of recent parsley and a drizzle of olive oil proper earlier than serving.
- Maple Chipotle Salmon: Stir collectively maple syrup, chipotle chili powder, and smoked paprika, then brush it over the salmon earlier than air frying for a sweet-meets-smoky glaze.
FAQ
When you’re brief on time, you can prepare dinner salmon straight from frozen by air frying it for 3–4 minutes first to thaw barely, then patting it dry, including the oil and seasonings, and persevering with to prepare dinner for about 11–13 minutes complete. That stated, thawed salmon will at all times yield one of the best outcomes, because it cooks extra evenly, develops a greater crust, and permits the seasonings to stick extra simply. Extremely suggest utilizing thawed salmon for those who can!
You’ll be able to go both manner. The pores and skin helps retain moisture and crisp up properly within the air fryer, however for those who choose it off, it gained’t have an effect on taste or timing.
The salmon ought to flake simply with a fork and attain an inside temperature of 125–130°F for medium. (It’ll proceed to prepare dinner a bit extra when you take away it from the air fryer.) I’d suggest measuring the salmon with an instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s cooked to your liking.
I like and use this mannequin, which I discover cooks 6-ounce salmon filets completely on the 7-minute mark.
Extra Air Fryer Recipes To Strive!
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces every), pores and skin on or off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon positive sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- lemon wedges, for serving
- Prep salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and rub evenly to coat. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the salmon and pat gently so the seasoning sticks.
- Air fry: Prepare fillets within the air fryer basket pores and skin facet down. Cook dinner at 400°F for 7–9 minutes, relying on thickness, till the salmon flakes simply with a fork and reaches an inside temp of 125–130°F for medium.
- Serve: Squeeze with recent lemon juice simply earlier than serving.
