Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
Making frozen salmon in the air fryer might just be one of the easiest dinners for weeknight dinners! All you need are frozen salmon, spray oil, and a bit of seasoning. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
Complete your meal with your favorite side dish to complement the air-fried salmon. Our family loves air fryer zucchini or asparagus in the air fryer along with some cheesy mashed potatoes.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
- The perfect recipe to quickly make salmon for dinner when you forget to thaw it!
- An easy way to prepare salmon without an oven.
- A dinner main dish that requires very little effort!
- I’m always looking for 5 ingredients or less dinner recipes and this one has only 2 ingredients!
Ingredients
- Salmon: Any of your favorite brands will work! We prefer Atlantic salmon for its higher fat count which makes it a better source of Omega 3 fatty acids than Pacific salmon. If possible try to choose skinless as it cooks up a bit more moist.
- Avocado oil spray: A little spritz of avocado oil helps prevent the salmon from sticking as it cooks. If you don’t have a spray bottle you can also use a brush to add a light amount of avocado oil over the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Salt and pepper: Use coarse ground salt for best results.
- Lemon wedges: To squeeze over the top for serving.
How To Air Fry Frozen Salmon
- Preheat. The air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes.
- Spray. The air fryer basket with a touch of avocado oil or olive oil.
- Place. The frozen salmon with the skin side down into the air fryer basket. If it’s skinless just look for the flattest side to face down. Cook the fish for 9 minutes.
- Open. The basket and lightly spray or brush the salmon fillets with a bit of avocado oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook. The salmon for another 7-8 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. You can continue cooking a bit longer if you prefer your salmon a bit more well done like we do!
Tips & Variations
- Change up the seasoning. Feel free to use just about any seasoning blend on your salmon in the air fryer. Blackening seasoning, lemon pepper, and herb salt are just a few ideas that work well.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer. If you don’t have a preheat setting, simply allow the air fryer to run for up to five minutes prior to adding the fish to ensure it’s hot on the inside.
- The time is variable. Since salmon fillets are going to vary in terms of thickness and air fryers cook a bit differently, the timing may be a bit different for you. I suggest checking it for doneness after it’s cooked for 12 minutes and then cooking it until it registers a minimum temperature of 145° F.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, of course! It just needs to cook a little longer than fresh salmon. This recipe explains perfectly how to make it with excellent results.
They both are great options but I find the skin provides a bit of moisture as the salmon cooks keeping it from drying out too much. It easily peels right off with a fork after cooking.
Yes, of course! It takes about half the time required to cook frozen salmon. Cook in the preheated air fryer for five minutes and then spray with oil and season. Then cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, checking the temperature periodically.
Yes, you can cook more than two salmon fillets depending on the size of your air fryer. If you have a medium to large air fryer you likely have enough room to cook more than two fillets at a time. Just be sure to make sure there is room between the salmon so the air can circulate.
Storing
- Store. Leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. I love to flake it up and enjoy it cold on a salad!
- Reheat. In the air fryer for five minutes at 325° F or until heated through.
What To Serve With Salmon
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Zucchini
- Classic 7 Layer Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Green Beans
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Asparagus
- Carrots
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 frozen Atlantic salmon
- avocado oil spray or 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- coarse salt
- ground pepper
- lemon wedge
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil or olive oil.
- Place frozen salmon skin side down into the air fryer basket. Cook for 9 minutes.
- Open the basket and lightly spray the salmon with avocado oil or brush it with olive oil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Notes
- Change up the seasoning. Feel free to use just about any seasoning blend on your salmon in the air fryer. Blackening seasoning, lemon pepper, and herb salt are just a few ideas that work well.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer. If you don’t have a preheat setting, simply allow the air fryer to run for up to five minutes prior to adding the fish to ensure it’s hot on the inside.
- The time is variable. Since salmon fillets are going to vary in terms of thickness and air fryers cook a bit differently, the timing may be a bit different for you. I suggest checking it for doneness after it’s cooked for 12 minutes and then cooking it until it registers a minimum temperature of 145° F.
- Store. Leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. I love to flake it up and enjoy it cold on a salad!
- Reheat. In the air fryer for five minutes at 325° F or until heated through.
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So quick, easy and delicious! And it’s a bonus that you don’t have to wait for the large oven to preheat.
So perfect for when you forget to thaw something!
Such an amazing salmon recipe! Saving this! Thanks for the recipe!