Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon
on Jan 16, 2024, Updated Feb 18, 2024
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Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon is a delicious, healthy, and easy way to get dinner on the table in less time than it takes to think about what to make for dinner.
Perfect for a busy weeknight, this air fryer recipe is a great way to enjoy wild-caught salmon with minimal effort. In fact, you can make this quick, tasty, and high protein meal in just 15 minutes!
Table of Contents
About this Air Fryer Salmon
This air fryer salmon recipe brings out the best in salmon fillets, providing a crispy exterior with tender, flaky salmon inside. But it gets better! This healthy meal is gluten-free, keto-friendly, and can be made in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s full of protein; seriously, what’s there to love about this seafood recipe?
What I love most about this air fryer salmon recipe is that it features my favorite food from the sea! Just like this pineapple salmon and our easy grilled salmon and sriracha salmon.
An Easy Air Fryer Recipe
This Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon recipe is all about simplicity and flavor. We’ve made other air fryer seafood recipes like our delicious air fryer rockfish recipe, our air fryer bacon-wrapped scallops and our easy air fryer scallops recipe.
Utilizing the hot air circulation of the air fryer, this air fryer sockeye salmon recipe turns a beautiful piece of wild salmon into a dish with a perfectly crispy skin side and juicy salmon inside.
Cooking salmon in the air fryer is a wonderful thing; it’s quick, easy, and offers a variety of ways to enjoy your favorite fish. With step-by-step instructions, you’ll have the best salmon that cooks to perfection every time, with the skin becoming delightfully crispy while the inside remains tender and juicy. The exact cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the salmon fillet.
What’s more, this air fryer recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve your air fryer sockeye salmon with a side of air fryer asparagus, brussels sprouts, or even french fries for a complete meal that the whole family will enjoy.
It’s a low carb, healthy option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Whether you’re using Atlantic or wild salmon, the air fryer ensures a perfect cook with less mess and less time, making it a great thing for any cook.
Ingredients for this Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon
The use of a simple seasoning blend of garlic powder, black pepper, and a brush of soy sauce, finished with a squeeze of lemon juice, enhances the natural pink color and rich fatty acids of the salmon, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor and health benefits.
- 6 oz Sockeye Salmon Fillets: Choose fresh salmon or use skin-on salmon for extra flavor. I love getting my sockeye salmon and other healthy seafood from The Wild Alaskan Company. It is fresh-caught and free of the usual garbage that is often found in farmed fish.
- Olive Oil: A light coating to help the seasoning stick and ensure the salmon doesn’t stick to the air fryer basket.
- Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper: For seasoning.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and vibrant color.
- Lemon: For a bright finish and serving.
How to Make It
(The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card below.)
Make sure your salmon is completely thawed if you’re taking it out of the freezer. Then, use a paper towel to pat it dry.
- Preparation: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and coat the basket with olive oil.
2. Seasoning: Brush the salmon filets with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Cooking: Place the seasoned salmon in the air fryer and cook for about 7-9 minutes, checking the internal temperature toward the end to ensure it reaches 120°F at the thickest part of the salmon.
Remember to use a piece of parchment paper or lightly coat the bottom of the basket with aluminum foil and cooking spray to prevent sticking, and always check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer for the best results.
Tips for Success:
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Always start with a preheated air fryer for even cooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook the salmon fillets in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, let your salmon rest for a few minutes to redistribute the juices and finish the cooking process.
Substitutions and Variations:
The use of a simple seasoning blend of garlic powder, black pepper, and a brush of soy sauce, finished with a squeeze of lemon juice, enhances the natural pink color and rich fatty acids of the salmon, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor and health benefits.
- Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like lemon pepper, dill, or a brown sugar rub.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your salmon with air fryer vegetables like brussels sprouts or asparagus for a complete meal.
Common Recipe Questions
Yes, you can use frozen salmon in this recipe, but ensure it’s fully thawed before cooking for the best results.
Cool the leftover salmon and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the fillet, aiming for 120°F for medium-rare.
This Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients and an easy air fryer recipe can produce tasty salmon that’s good for you too. With its health benefits and quick cook time, it’s a great option for anyone looking for delicious and healthy fish dinner ideas.
Whether you’re new to air frying or looking for a new way to enjoy salmon, give this recipe a try and share your experience on social media, or check out more easy air fryer recipes for more culinary inspiration!
Don’t forget to grab a printable recipe card for this air fryer salmon recipe so you can have it on hand the next time you’re at the grocery store or ready to cook. Enjoy the best part of cooking salmon – eating it!
By using this recipe, you acknowledge full disclosure of the affiliate links provided for your convenience. Here’s to cooking the best air fryer salmon you’ve ever had!
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Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon
Ingredients
- 6 oz Sockeye salmon
- 1 tsp Olive oil, Just enough to brush the salmon and the air fryer.
- Kosher salt and Fresh Ground Pepper, To taste. You only need a small pinch of salt for this.
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375° F and coat the basket or rack with olive oil.
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Brush the sockeye salmon with a light coat of olive oil. Then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- When your air fryer reaches the set temperature, place the prepared sockeye salmon in the basket or rack. Air fry for about 8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 120°. Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for couple of minutes before eating
Notes
- Seasoning the Salmon: Properly seasoning the sockeye salmon with a blend of garlic powder, black pepper, and lemon juice is crucial for enhancing its natural flavors and achieving the best taste.
- Preheating the Air Fryer: Ensuring the air fryer is preheated to the right temperature (typically 375°F) is essential for cooking the salmon evenly and getting that desirable crispy skin.
- Monitoring Cook Time: Using an instant-read thermometer to check the salmon’s internal temperature ensures it’s cooked perfectly, avoiding over or undercooking for that juicy, flaky texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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