If you’ve ever wondered how to cook frozen salmon in air fryer, you’re in for a treat! This recipe is a game changer for anyone who loves salmon but maybe doesn’t have the time to thaw it out first.
This recipe fixes soggy texture from freezing, uneven doneness, and excessive oil by delivering crisp outsides, thorough interior cooking, and fast cleanup in air fryer.
I know how busy life can get, and sometimes it’s tough to whip up a healthy dinner when you have frozen fish staring back at you from the freezer. This recipe makes it super easy to have a delicious meal on the table in no time at all. Plus, I’ve found that my family prefers it over other types of fish.
Cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer takes about 20 minutes total, with just 5 minutes of prep time! The air fryer cooks the salmon from frozen, so there’s no need to worry about thawing it out first. And let me tell you, it comes out so tender and flaky every time, even without any fancy sauces.
If you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying recipe, you’re going to love this one. If you enjoy preparing meals effortlessly, you might want to check out Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas too!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Convenience You can go from frozen to dinner in just 15 minutes without any thawing. It’s a simple solution for busy weeknights.
- Texture The air fryer keeps the salmon tender and flaky, avoiding that dreaded dryness. You’ll love how juicy it turns out every time.
- Flavor With minimal ingredients, this recipe lets the natural flavors shine. Just a hint of lemon and oil brings out the best in the salmon.
- Storage Leftover salmon can be kept in the fridge for up to three days, making it easy to enjoy the next day in salads or wraps.
Crispy Frozen Salmon In Air Fryer
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Learn how to cook frozen salmon in the air fryer quickly and easily for a healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 2 (0.5 lbs or 227g) frozen salmon fillets
- 1/21/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) olive oil, or cooking spray
- 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prep the Air Fryer: Get your air fryer nice and warm by preheating it. You will want it to reach the right temperature for those fillets to cook evenly. This should take just a few minutes, so do not wander off! Skipping the preheating can lead to uneven cooking.
- Place Salmon in Basket: Lay the frozen salmon fillets in the basket, making sure they do not overlap. You will want to see some space between them for proper airflow and cooking. If you crowd them, parts will come out undercooked and icy, which you definitely want to avoid!
- Season and Spray Lightly: Give those fillets a light spritz of cooking spray and sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top. As it cooks, you will start to smell that delicious salmon aroma filling your kitchen. Over-seasoning might mask the mild flavor of the salmon, so go easy!
- Check for Doneness: After about 15 minutes, peek at your salmon. It should look flaky and opaque. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked; the ideal internal temperature is between 125-135 degrees F for medium doneness. If it is underdone, pop it back in for a few minutes—do not just assume it is okay by looks!
- Add Lemon for Flavor: If you love a zesty touch, add fresh lemon slices on top during the last few minutes of cooking. You will start to see them sizzle and smell that fresh citrus aroma. Just remember, if you put them in too early, they might char and become bitter.
Notes
- Leftover cooked salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Remove excess ice from frozen salmon for even cooking.
- When checking for doneness, ensure a thermometer reading between 125-135 degrees F indicates that it is done but still moist.
- Using skin-on fillets can help retain juices and keep the salmon from drying out. If your salmon turns out dry, it may be overcooked; keep a close eye on the temperature.
- When using lemon slices, add them in the last few minutes to prevent burning and maximize flavor.
- To reheat, place the salmon in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
- Serve with steamed vegetables and rice.
- Add to a fresh salad for a light meal.
- Top with a yogurt sauce for extra flavor.
- Add herbs like dill or thyme for added flavor.
- Use different citrus slices, like lime or orange.
- Incorporate spices like cajun or garlic powder.
- Select frozen salmon fillets that are free from ice build-up for best results.
- Fresh lemons can be replaced with 11/2 teaspoon of bottled lemon juice.
- If lacking olive oil, substitute with avocado oil or cooking spray, which should be sprayed directly onto the fish, not the basket.
- Quality indicators for salmon include bright color and a fresh smell, avoiding any fillets with an off odor or discoloration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 258
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 94mg
Recipe Tips
- If there’s a lot of ice on the salmon, try patting it down with a paper towel to improve cooking results.
- When checking for doneness, a thermometer reading between 125-135°F indicates that it’s done but still moist.
- For more moisture, using skin-on fillets can help retain juices and keep the salmon from drying out.
- If your salmon turns out dry, it may be overcooked; keeping a close eye on the temperature can help.
- When using lemon slices, adding them in the last few minutes will prevent them from burning and maximize the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salmon alongside steamed vegetables and rice for a nutritious meal. You can also add it to a fresh salad.
This salmon works well for meal prep or quick lunches. Consider using it in sushi rolls or as a taco filling.
Add a yogurt sauce on top for extra flavor. A lemon wedge also complements the dish well and enhances freshness.
Recipe variations
- You can use 2 frozen mahi-mahi fillets if you want to swap the main ingredient while still enjoying a similar cooking style.
- Add ½ teaspoon dried dill or thyme for additional flavor to brighten up the dish alongside the lemon slices.
- Either try lime or orange slices in place of lemon for a different citrus kick, adding a unique twist to the meal.
- If cooking for more, simply double the quantities to 4 frozen salmon fillets, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1 lemon thinly sliced.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your crispy frozen salmon in air fryer fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness.
Freezing: Wrap salmon in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat salmon in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F until warmed through. This maintains crispiness and flavor.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
If you enjoyed this frozen salmon in air fryer or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
