Salmon is the most commonly eaten fish in the US. That’s good news since it’s also one of the healthiest. Now, thanks to the air fryer, it’s also one of the easiest to make.
If you’re sticking to the Mediterranean diet, trying to up your omega-3 fatty acids, or just plain like the stuff, cooking salmon is likely part of your routine. If you haven’t tried making a filet or two in the air fryer, it’s time you do.
The air fryer is best known for making crispy wings and fries without all the oil, but it can handle filets of salmon, tuna or any other fish. Air-fried salmon is fast, and there’s very little mess to clean up afterward. The air fryer also contains fish smell and splatter better than a frying pan or stovetop grill.
This 10-minute method will crisp the outside, while the inside cooks to a tender medium-rare. And you also don’t have to preheat the big oven, which takes more than twice as long as an air fryer.
For busy nights when I need something affordable, healthy and quick, this air fryer salmon is an easy decision. You can also play with the recipe, mixing and matching sauces, seasoning and sides until you find a flavor that fits your taste. Salmon tacos are a particular favorite in this house.
Here’s how to make a perfect filet every time. And for more, see our favorite places to order salmon online and the best air fryers we tested. If you’re wondering how these trendy and efficient countertop cookers work and which model is best, read my complete guide to air fryers.
Ingredients for the 10-minute air fryer salmon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 green onion, diced
- Salmon filet
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parchment paper (optional)
Read More: Best BBQ Sauces
Directions for perfect 10-minute air fryer salmon
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F on either “air fry” or “roast.”
- Step 2: Whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce and green onion.
- Step 3: Pat the salmon filet dry and place it in the air fryer on a parchment-lined tray (paper optional).
- Step 4: Pour the soy sauce mixture over the salmon and brush to coat completely.
- Step 5: Close the basket and cook for about 8 minutes, checking with a fork or internal probe for doneness (cook a minute or two more if you prefer your salmon medium well or well done).
The air fryer is my go-to for roasted chicken, replacing my slow and dirty dish-heavy oven recipe. I recently learned to make juicy air fryer cheeseburgers and sizzle bacon in less than 10 minutes and without dirtying a skillet or sheet pan.
Air fryers are incredibly convenient and can do many of the same jobs that an oven can. They only take a couple of minutes to preheat, contain many of the cooking messes you’d otherwise have to spend time cleaning up and are overall more energy-efficient cooking appliances.
When you’re planning to cook meals with an air fryer, you need to make sure you have enough space inside of your appliance for the food you want to cook. Many air fryers can accommodate for a single person’s serving size, but you’ll likely have to run the air fryer multiple times to make enough food for your whole family.
Yes, you can. The air fryer functions just like a convection oven, making it suitable for baking cookies, brownies and more.
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