Busy people can eat well too! This Air Fryer Frozen Salmon is the best way to enjoy flaky salmon straight from the freezer – no thawing needed.
Whether you're looking for an easy and healthy dinner or a way to meal prep salmon for the week, this is the way to make it happen.
One of my dinnertime hacks is this easy breezy recipe for air fryer frozen salmon. That's right – frozen!
On our busiest days it's hard to even remember that dinner needs to be made, let alone that something needs to be thawed beforehand. This recipe has been a real lifesaver for our busy household – and I know it will be for yours too!
Whether you want to serve it up with some quick steamed veggies, a green salad, or some Instant Pot rice, this is an easy way to have a healthy meal any night of the week.
Why You'll Love It
- Perfectly cooked. You will love how flaky and delicious salmon is in the air fryer. You'll get the best results every single time!
- No need to thaw. Forget to take something out for dinner? Don't worry! You can still enjoy a delicious meal with minimal prep time.
- Easy to customize. We've included our tried-and-true blend of seasonings, but you can easily swap it out for your favorite combos or blends.
Ingredients
- Frozen salmon fillets: These range in size from about 4-7 ounces, and the recipe works best when prepared 2 at a time. If you want to prep a larger amount, cook in small batches. We pick ours up at Costco – it's great quality at a good price.
- Olive oil: We like the flavor that olive oil adds, but avocado oil works great too!
- Lemon juice: This can either be bottled or fresh lemon juice. Whatever you have on hand is fine, or you could leave it out altogether.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Tools and Equipment
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in an Air Fryer
Cooking salmon is made even easier with this simple air fryer salmon recipe! Since it cooks from frozen you can have this even on busy weeknights.
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings to a small bowl.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Stir the seasonings and oil together until a thin paste forms.
- Place the frozen salmon fillets on a flat surface (like a plate, parchment paper, or a tray).
- Brush all sides of the salmon with the seasoned oil.
- If desired, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390-400ºF (200-204ºC) for at least 3 minutes, or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Place the salmon in the air fryer basket skin side down (or where the skin would be if it has been removed).
- Cook at 390-400ºF for 14-17 minutes, or until the thickest part of the fillet has reached a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC).
- Large pieces of salmon may need to be cooked for longer (or at a higher temperature) than smaller pieces.
If Using Thawed Salmon
If you thawed your frozen salmon fillets ahead of time, you can prepare this recipe using the same method, but reduce the cooking time. A cook time of 7-10 minutes at 390-400ºF (200-204ºC) works for most air fryers, but it's important to verify the internal temperature for accuracy.
What to Serve with Salmon
Salmon pairs well with so many different side dishes, especially when seasoned simply and cooked to perfection. Here are just a few suggestions:
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat portions as needed in the microwave OR in an air fryer set to 300ºF (149ºC) until well heated throughout.
Top Tip: We think the leftover salmon is the best part! We love to flake it and add it to rice with tamari, sriracha, and a little mayo. Absolutely delish!
Expert Tips
- Don't flip. I know, I know – this is totally contrary to most of the advice you read about air frying. However, it's a different story when it comes to salmon. Fish is very delicate and flakes apart quite easily; to keep the fillet intact, avoid flipping it at any point during cooking.
- 5-10 minutes. If you want to make your salmon even more flavorful, try allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes once brushed with the seasonings and olive oil.
- Experiment with flavor. If you want to try new flavors, try using different seasonings and sauces. Teriyaki, hot honey, dijon mustard, and lemon dill are all tasty options!
Substitutions
- Olive oil: If you prefer, you can swap olive oil for avocado oil. Both work great!
- Lemon juice: This can be left out, or substituted for different acidic ingredients to change the flavor. Lime juice, rice vinegar, and apple cider vinegar are all options.
- Salmon: The same blend of seasonings can be used on other types of fish or even chicken. Be sure to cook all types of food to the minimum internal temperature recommended by the USDA.
- Seasonings: Swap for your favorite seasonings or seasoning blends. A generous sprinkling of lemon pepper seasoning makes for the most delicious lemon pepper salmon! Cajun seasoning is another great option.
More Air Fryer Recipes
More Salmon Recipes
If you loved this recipe for air fried frozen salmon, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 frozen salmon fillets approximately ¾ pound - 6 ounces each
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390ºF (200ºC) for at least 3 minutes, or according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove the frozen salmon from its packaging and place it on a clean plate or cutting board.
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice (if using), garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk until combined. It should form a thin paste.
- Brush both sides of each of the salmon fillets with the seasoned olive oil. Note: If desired, you can allow the salmon to dry brine for 5-10 minutes before cooking.
- Place the fillets, skin side down (or where the skin would have been), in the basket of the air fryer.
- Cook for 14-17 minutes, or until the thickest part of each piece of salmon reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF (64ºC). Do not flip the pieces during cooking.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dorothy Bigelow
We have loved using this recipe to make easy meals AND for meal prep. It's flaky and perfectly seasoned with minimal ingredients. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!