Jan 16, 2024, Updated Nov 01, 2024
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Recipe
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that I make this for lunch 3x/week. I am in a season of life when these kinds of easy meal hacks are what keeps me going. Here’s why I love this recipe:
No need to thaw first. Just grab a fillet from the freezer, season, and pop it in the air fryer.
In fact, cooking from frozen actually insulates it from overcooking in the time it takes to get crispy skin. This method delivers tender, flaky, perfectly-soft salmon every time.
Fresh salmon is expensive and needs to be used quickly. I keep a Costco bag of frozen salmon fillets on hand all the time. Cooking it from frozen means there’s no need for advance planning.
Perfect for salads, it’s one of my lowest-effort ways to eat feel-good lunches on super busy days. I like to “eat to live” at lunch and “live to eat” at dinner 🤣 Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and there’s literally ZERO CLEANUP.
It’s also great for wraps or grain bowls!
Fab nutrition profile: salmon is packed with high-quality protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health. As a dietitian, I try to get in lots of fatty fish.
Here’s What You Need for this Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Recipe
Cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer is simple and efficient. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, from the basic ingredients to handy kitchen tools.
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Ingredients
Frozen Salmon Filets: They are super tasty and cook beautifully in the air fryer without even thawing first. I buy skin on and let the skin get really crispy.
Oil Cooking Spray: Helps to prevent sticking and ensures even cooking. I like avocado oil spray. You could alternatively brush on a tablespoon olive oil (I just prefer the convenience of not dirtying a small bowl and brush for oil).
Seasonings: Sprinkle with salt, garlic Powder, dried herbs (like dill or parsley) or cayenne pepper.
Variations and Substitutions
Different Herbs: Experiment with other herbs like thyme or rosemary for varied flavors. Spice it Up: Add a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Smear on some dijon mustard, or add a little fresh ginger and soy sauce. Cajun salmon is another great flavor profile if you’ve got cajun spices on hand. Citrus Twist: Swap lemon for lime or orange for a different citrus note.
Grab these Tools
Air Fryer: Essential for cooking the salmon. Any standard air fryer works great. Here’s my guide to choosing and using an air fryer. Tongs: For safely placing and removing the salmon from the air fryer. Parchment Paper or aluminum foil (optional): Makes cleanup easier if you choose to use it. Meat Thermometer (optional): Makes it super easy to check for doneness.
NEXT READING: 8 Favorite Moist Salmon Recipes (+ a food science expert’s 7 PRO tips for meltingly moist and tender salmon every time!)
Preparing Your Air Fryer
Preheat the Air Fryer: Begin by setting your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Let it warm up for a few minutes to reach the right temperature.
Prepping the Salmon
Get the Fillets Ready: While the air fryer heats, spray each salmon fillet with oil. Then evenly season them with salt, garlic powder, and dried herbs.
Cooking the Salmon
Air Fry the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook them for 12-15 minutes. No need to flip midway.
Checking for Doneness
Ensure Perfect Cooking: The salmon is perfectly cooked when it flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 125-145°F (63°C). Thicker fillets might need additional time. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can tell it’s done when it turns opaque and flaky.
Make Ahead and Storage
Here’s how to keep your Air Fryer Frozen Salmon fresh and delicious, whether you’re prepping ahead or saving leftovers.
Freezing Raw Salmon: You can store uncooked, seasoned salmon in the freezer. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Refrigerating Cooked Salmon: Once cooked, the salmon can be refrigerated. Reheating: To maintain moisture, reheat in the air fryer at a lower temperature, around 275°F, until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can dry out the fish. Freezing Cooked Salmon: If necessary, you can freeze cooked salmon. Wrap it well and use within a month for the best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Read More: How Long does Salmon Last in the Fridge? Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions about cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer.
Big Salad: My fav way to enjoy this tender salmon is for lunch on a big bed of mixed greens with lots of additional colorful veggies (like grated beets, shredded carrots, thinly-sliced red cabbage, etc.). Top it with yogurt lemon dressing or avocado crema.
Air Fryer veggies: If you’re only making one portion of salmon, you’ll have enough room in your basket to make some air fryer asparagus, sweet potato cubes, green beans, zucchini or other favorite veg right alongside the filet. I personally love this crispy air fryer eggplant recipe. Rice: Simple brown or basmati rice makes an easy gluten-free side. Or if you’re batch cooking for the week, why not whip up this Instant Pot Mexican Rice to have on hand. A poke bowl is another one of my favorite ways to serve fish. In a Sandwich or Wrap: Turn it into a salmon burger or wrap it up in a flour tortilla or roti with veggies for a delicious and portable lunch.
Next Reading: 35+ Best Side Dishes For Salmon
Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Tuna Steak Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Air Fryer Pizza: The Ultimate Easy Recipe Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast Recipe
This cajun-honey butter salmon (pictured above) is just luscious, you guys – add it to your meal rotation STAT. Buttery, fall-apart salmon like my baked salmon with mayonnaise is the perfect 5-minute recipe. I make this about once a week in my house. It’s quick, easy, and so good.
Another recipe not to be missed is this honey teriyaki glazed salmon, where the savory and sweet flavors seep deep inside the salmon; it’s too good.
Great for summer is my grilled salmon with avocado and melon cucumber salsa. Salmon Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce. A perfect summery salmon recipe! Air Fryer Frozen Salmon. She ain’t fancy, but boy is she perfect on a weekday. Fall-apart flaky fish that goes straight from freezer to air fryer.
