"You don't have to flip the salmon, which you do in most other cooking techniques because it does cook so quickly." Depending on the thickness of your fillet, air fryer salmon only takes about 10 minutes to cook, landing itself a spot on the easy weeknight dinners list.
Do I need to flip the salmon? Nope! The air fryer cooks it evenly all the way through.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
I typically serve the salmon with the skin on, then let guests peel away their skin (the cooked salmon will flake off easily with a fork). Don't Wrap the Fish. It is not necessary to wrap salmon in foil in the air fryer—in fact, it will make it harder for it to crisp. Don't Flip the Salmon.
The batter on the fish for this recipe is delicate and it is best not to flip it over. Spray the fish on both sides before placing in the air fryer. It will cook through and get crispy without flipping it over. You could use parchment, but you want to make sure the air can circulate under the fish for even cooking.
Place the salmon in the air fryer tray skin side up and slide it in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 8-11 minutes, or until internal temperature is 140°F* at the thickest point. Transfer salmon to a plate to rest. If crispier skin is desired, use tongs to carefully remove skin from top of salmon portions.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
The short answer: Skin side down—no matter how you're cooking it. "Skin side down with a dry-heat cooking method such as sautéing or searing will result in very crisp skin," says Michael Handal, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education.
You can air fry salmon with or without the skin but, if you leave it on, place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Leaving the salmon skin on when air frying may help prevent the filet from drying out.
SHAKE OR FLIP FOOD
Most air fryers require you to shake the basket at least once during the air fry process to ensure every bit is crisped and browned to perfection. Some recipes call for flipping or shaking every 5 minutes, so don't stray too far from your air fryer while cooking.
Spray your fish fillets or shellfish with a light dust of oil before placing them in the fryer. Adding a little bit of oil will ensure that your seafood turns out delectably crispy and golden brown.
Oven Baked Salmon
Begin by preheating your oven to 235 degrees °C on the fan function. Place the salmon skin-side down on a piece of non-stick baking paper, there is no need to flip the salmon as the skin will crisp in the oven while baking. Wait for about 12 minutes before taking the Salmon out of the oven.
Albumin is a liquid protein that solidifies when the fish is cooked, seeping out as the muscle fibers contract under heat, becoming thick and a bright white. Think of your salmon as a wet towel being rung out. The wringing is the heat and the water being pushed out is that white stuff you're seeing.
Does Salmon Need To Be Rinsed? Salmon does not need to be rinsed before cooking, says Dr. Farzad, who points out that, “food safety guidelines suggest that rinsing meat including fish/salmon can increase the risk of spreading pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria around your kitchen.”
Steps to Make It
Brush flesh side of salmon with oil. Season salmon with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Scatter herbs over the top, and place skin-side-down on the grill. Close lid and cook without turning for 10 to 15 minutes (depending on thickness), or until salmon is just barely cooked through.
Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.
While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.
Remember to shake, toss, or flip the food a few times during cooking. This allows the air to circulate better around it and ensures an even and crisp result.
The worry with cooking salmon in an air fryer is that you might overcook it. Watch the timer on the air fryer and don't blast the fish with too much heat as it can dry out quickly. However, it is one of the easiest and quickest ways to make very delicious salmon for dinner!
Cooking salmon in an air fryer results in the most tender, succulent and delicious piece of fish, and it's so quick and easy too! This low carb, low calorie salmon recipe takes 10 minutes to make and is perfect as part of an easy weeknight meal.
Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer can create steam, which keeps the inside of the food tender while allowing the outside to crisp up. For baked goods, such as pastries or bread, a little water can mimic the humid environment of a traditional oven, giving a softer texture or a better rise.
Stovetop Sear:
Add a big splash of high heat–friendly oil to a skillet, and heat over medium-high flame until shimmering. While that heats up, season a salmon fillet with salt and pepper. Add the fillet skin-side down and gently press on the fillet with a fish spatula to keep the skin from curling away from the pan.