How Long Should Salmon Be in Air Fryer? Easy Recipe

Are you looking for a super quick and healthy way to cook salmon?

Well, your air fryer can make succulent salmon filets in no time!

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance because they can fry foods using little to no oil. That’s a much better choice than deep frying in lots of fat and grease.

Cooking salmon in the air fryer is so simple and the results are delicious.

But how long should you cook it for?

Getting the timing right is key to avoiding dried-out or undercooked salmon. 

You’ll also get an easy seasoning recipe to make your air fryer salmon taste amazing! Say goodbye to boring baked salmon forever.

Why Use an Air Fryer?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food to create a crispy, fried texture. But unlike deep frying, they only need a small amount of oil or none at all! 

1. Advantages of using an air fryer for cooking salmon:

• It’s a low-fat way to get crispy salmon with tender, moist insides.

• Air-frying salmon locks in more nutrients compared to other cooking methods.

• It cooks salmon quickly, often in under 15 minutes!

• Air fryers are easy to use and there’s barely any mess to clean up.

2. Comparison with traditional cooking methods:

• Baking salmon in the oven can dry it out and take 20+ minutes.

• Pan-frying salmon requires adding oil/butter and constant flipping.

• Deep-frying salmon, while delicious, is very high in unhealthy fats and calories.

• Boiling or poaching salmon can make the fish taste bland and watery.

The air fryer gives you the best of both worlds – salmon that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and cooked in a fast, hassle-free way. It’s the healthiest “fried” fish you can make at home!

Preparing the Salmon

1. Choosing fresh salmon

• Look for salmon filets that are bright in color and don’t have any brown or yellow discoloration.

• The flesh should be firm and resilient when pressed gently.

• Salmon should smell mild and fresh, not overly fishy.

• Wild-caught salmon is best if available, but farm-raised is also a good option.

2. Necessary seasonings and ingredients

• Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning salmon.

• Lemon juice or zest adds a nice bright, citrusy flavor.

• Dried herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme complement salmon well.

• Olive oil or cooking spray helps get that crispy air-fried texture.

• For extra flavor, try seasoning blends like lemon pepper, Cajun, or everything bagel spice.

3. Other tasty ingredients to consider:

• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
• Honey or brown sugar
• Breadcrumbs for a crispy coating
• Butter or mayo to keep salmon moist

The great thing about air fryer salmon is you can keep the seasoning simple with just salt, pepper, lemon, and oil. Or you can get creative with bolder spice blends and ingredient add-ins. Just be sure to use fresh, high-quality salmon for best results.

How Long Should Salmon Be in Air Fryer?

1. Recommended cooking time for different thicknesses of salmon filets:

• For thin salmon filets (around 1/2 inch thick): Cook for 6-8 minutes.

• For medium-thickness filets (around 3/4 inch thick): Cook for 8-10 minutes.

• For thick salmon filets (1 inch thick or more): Cook for 10-12 minutes.

The exact cooking time can vary slightly based on your specific air fryer model and how powerful the heating element is. Thicker filets will need a couple of extra minutes compared to thin ones.

It’s a good idea to check on your salmon halfway through and use a fork to gently peek and see if it’s starting to flake easily when twisted. The very center should still be a darker orange color when it’s ready.

2. Importance of following cooking time guidelines:

• Undercooking salmon can leave it unpleasantly undercooked in the middle.

• But overcooking leads to dry, tough, chalky salmon that isn’t appetizing.

• Following timed guidelines helps you get perfectly moist and flaky salmon.

• Cooking just until salmon reaches 145°F internal temp is recommended for food safety.

Using a kitchen thermometer is the best way to judge when thicker salmon filets are done. But for thin filets, following the suggested air fryer times is usually accurate enough.

The cooking time is crucial for getting delicious, restaurant-quality air fryer salmon every time! A little practice with your air fryer model will help you nail it.

Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 (6 oz) salmon filets
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried dill (or 1 tbsp fresh dill)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pat the salmon filets dry and place them in a shallow dish. Drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, dill, salt and pepper. Use your hands to coat the salmon evenly with the seasonings.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
3. Place the seasoned salmon filets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t overcrowded.
4. Air fry the salmon for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your filets.
5. Remove salmon from the air fryer once it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.

This simple seasoning mix keeps things easy with just lemon, dill, garlic, and salt & pepper flavors. The olive oil helps get that nice crispy exterior. Be sure to check your salmon for doneness as air fryers can vary in heating intensity. Adjust cook times as needed for your model.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon?

Salmon is a versatile protein that pairs well with lots of different side dishes. Here are some tasty options to consider serving alongside your air fryer salmon:

1. Vegetable Sides:

• Roasted asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.

• A fresh green salad with vinaigrette.

• Sautéed spinach or kale.

• Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.

2. Starchy Sides:

• Steamed rice or quinoa.

• Baked potato or mashed potatoes.

• Pasta with olive oil and herbs.

• A crusty baguette or dinner rolls.

3. Fruity Sides:

• Grilled or baked pineapple slices.

• Mango salsa or salad.

• Roasted grape tomatoes.

• Lemon dill couscous salad.

You really can’t go wrong with vegetables, starches, or fruits as salmon’s sidekick. Go for seasonal produce and lean towards lighter sides like salads if you want a more refreshing, healthy meal. Heartier options like potatoes or pasta make it more of a comfort food feast.

Think about contrasting temperatures and textures too. The warm, crispy salmon would be nicely balanced by a cool, creamy cucumber salad. Or offer a crunchy counterpoint with something like a herbed breadcrumb topping.

Storing leftovers

1. Refrigerating Leftovers

• Let the cooked salmon cool completely before refrigerating.

• Place leftovers in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap/foil.

• Refrigerated salmon will last 3-4 days.

2. Freezing Leftovers

• For longer storage, frozen salmon will be kept for 2-3 months.

• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.

• Place wrapped portions in an airtight freezer bag or container.

3. Reheating Leftovers

• Refrigerated leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 330°F for 4-6 minutes.

• Frozen salmon should be thawed overnight before reheating.

• You can also reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.

4. Safety Considerations

• Don’t let cooked salmon sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

• Discard any dried-out or overly smelly leftover portions.

Proper storage is key to enjoying air fryer salmon leftovers safely later on. The fridge or freezer helps lock in freshness and flavor. Just be mindful of storage times and reheating thoroughly before eating.

Benefits of Air Fryer Salmon

• It’s a healthier way to fry with less oil.

• Traditional frying requires submerging food in lots of calorie-dense oil.

• An air fryer uses rapid air circulation to crisp up foods with just a light coating of oil or no oil at all.

• This drastically cuts down on fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to deep frying.

• Salmon cooks quickly.

• Salmon filets can cook through in as little as 8-12 minutes in the air fryer.

• The concentrated hot air surrounds the salmon for fast, even cooking.

• This quick cooking time helps lock in more nutrients and prevents drying out.

• Easy clean-up.

• Air fryers have a small, simple basket to hold the food as it cooks.

• Food particles fall to the bottom rather than splattering oil everywhere.

• Most air fryer baskets are non-stick and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

• No stovetop, oven, or deep fryer mess to scrub afterward.

In addition to the health benefits, the air fryer’s speed and convenience make it an ideal way to prepare salmon. You get moist, crispy salmon without the hassle of complicated cooking methods.

Final Words

This versatile kitchen appliance allows you to get moist, tender salmon with a delightfully crispy exterior using just a small amount of oil or none at all.

By following the recommended cook times of 6-8 minutes for thin filets, 8-10 minutes for medium, and 10-12 minutes for thick cuts, you’ll avoid overcooking and end up with perfectly flaky salmon every time. Don’t forget to adjust the time slightly based on your specific air fryer model.

Air frying salmon helps lock in more healthy omega-3s and nutrients compared to other cooking methods.

 Simply season your filets as desired, pop them in the air fryer basket, and in under 15 minutes, dinner is ready!

Whether you keep it simple with lemon and herbs or get creative with bolder seasoning blends, the air fryer is sure to become your new favorite way to cook salmon. Say goodbye to dry, overcooked fish forever. 

So what are you waiting for? Buy some fresh salmon filets and fire up that air fryer for a fishy dish that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of incredible flavor!

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