Air Frying Salmon – Cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer is an awesome way to cook this incredible protein-packed fish. Whether you are trying it out for the first time, or have tried it before and looking for a fresh approach. You will be able to find out how to cook salmon in an air fryer. We have also answered some of the more commonly asked questions about cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer.
It will take 8-12 minutes to cook a salmon fillet right through. Factors such as the size of the Salmon & the temperature you cook will alter the time required. You should cook Salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (Source) at the thickest part of the fish. This makes sure any parasites in the flesh of the fish are killed off.
Putting that into context. 2 x 6 ounce Salmon fillets would be best cooked at 400°F for 10 minutes. If you cook it at 350°F then you would cook for an extra 2-3 minutes.
***It’s also worth mentioning at this point that it is always best to pre-heat the air fryer with nothing in it first for around 5 minutes.***
The cooking time also needs to consider whether the Salmon is frozen or not…which brings us neatly to the next question…
Can Salmon be cooked in an Air Fryer from Frozen?
Salmon Can be cooked in an Air Fryer From frozen. The best way to cook it from frozen would be to cook the Salmon unseasoned at 360°F for 5 minutes. This would act almost as a “thaw-out” process.
After this, you would add your seasoning and any oil/butter as normal and then place it back into the Air Fryer. Continue at 360°F and cook for another 5-8 minutes. Check at around the 5-minute mark to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
How do you stop the Salmon from becoming too dry?
If you just left the Salmon to cook for too long on its own, there is a danger it could dry out and become flakey. There are a couple of ways you can avoid this though.
Firstly, you could remove the Salmon once it hits 145°F. Then allow it to stew in its own juices wrapped in a foil bowl for 5 minutes.
Another popular choice is rubbing a small amount of olive oil across each joint. Or you can use a little bit of butter if you prefer. This can give it just enough juicy tenderness to give it that amazing restaurant-style finish.
How do you keep Salmon from sticking to the Air Fryer?
Firstly use a kitchen paper towel to dry the salmon as much as possible. You can also use parchment paper or foil to stop the Salmon from sticking to the fryer. If you prefer you could also brush on a small amount of butter, or oil or use a spray oil and it would be just as effective.
Do you have to flip Salmon in the Air Fryer?
When you air fry salmon some recipes may recommend you flip the Salmon. You don’t have to as the air circulation should give you an even cook. However, the more that you are Air frying Salmon the more you will decide which method you prefer yourself.
Should you cook Salmon skin side up or down in an Air Fryer?
There is no absolute answer to this question. We have surveyed different Air Fryer Salmon Recipes that specifically state Salmon with crispy skin. Some recipes will say skin-side down and some will say skin-side up.
How many recipes say skin side up and skin side down?
73% of the recipes surveyed say to cook Salmon skin side up.
So, Salmon can be cooked either way up. Skin side-up is far more popular based on the recipes checked. There was one thing that did stand out. Even rubbing the Salmon with oil and placing it skin side down the skin has a tendency to stick to the basket or tray in the Air fryer. This can result in the Salmon separating from the skin and ultimately ruining the crispy Slamon skin
Therefore, if you are looking for that incredible crispy skin vibe then the numbers say you need to cook skin side up.
Can you put aluminum foil in the Air Fryer?
As I’ve already mentioned, aluminum foil can be used in an Air Fryer – and in some ways, it makes a lot of sense and offers many benefits.
Using foil can help seal the flavors into the Salmon and help it cook more evenly – although you have to make sure you don’t cover the holes which allow the circulation in the fryer. Using foil – as already mentioned in these questions – can also help prevent the fish from drying out. Using foil can also help prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the basket.
The other benefit to using foil is it makes it easier to keep the Air Fryer clean – minimizing the amount of post-cooking washing-up. In some instances, parchment paper may be a better option. Acidic foods can react with the foil, so using parchment paper instead is also an option.
Does it matter which side of the foil you use?
It does not matter which side of the foil you use. Despite the difference in look, the foil will give you the same results whether you are cooking, storing, or freezing food. The only time there will be any difference is if you buy a foil that has a dedicated nonstick side. This will be clearly indicated on the box when you purchase it.
COOKING SALMON
IN AN AIR FRYER
Why Cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer Makes Sense
Before looking into the finer detail of cooking salmon in an Air Fryer, it’s worth just looking at some of the benefits of Air Fried Salmon in the first instance.
Air Frying Salmon = Little to No Oil = Healthier Option
Salmon is a healthy fish as it is. Low in calories and low in carbs, it is also packed with Omega 3 and is stacked with positive health benefits. From lowering cholesterol to helping reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, Salmon is not only great for the tastebuds, but it’s a great all-rounder for the body too.
When you cook Salmon in an Air Fryer you can get those succulent “pan-fried” tastes but by using little to no oil – giving you an overall healthier alternative – and eliminating the wastage of oil.
Quick to Cook and Ideal For Any Occasion
Cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer is a great option if you need to create something that is quick and easy. We will get onto the cooking times shortly. But it is still worth noting at this point, that if you are looking for a quick, healthy meal, cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer is definitely an option.
You can just literally place it in the Air Fryer and leave it to cook whilst you prepare the rest of your meal – making Air Fried Salmon ideal for family meals or dinner parties.
Find Your Favorite Air Frying Salmon Recipe
Now we have given you some great advice – we have some truly awesome Salmon Air Fryer recipes for you to try.
Packed with incredible flavors, spices, and healthy ingredients, these quick and easy recipes offer something for everyone. Be sure to give them a try – and let us know if you find any more recipes you would like for us to feature.