Though you can oven-bake salmon or pan-fry your salmon, I’ve always found that it leaves a lingering fragrance in your kitchen. Putting salmon in the air fryer eliminates this concern and gives you delicious, flavorful fish in a fraction of the time. Prepare the Salmon: Use paper towels to pat the salmon completely dry, you may want to use this time to check for any lingering pin bones in the fish. To do this, rub your fingers across the filets, feeling for any bumps under the flesh. I find tweezers are best for removing them if you find any leftover bones. Using your hands or a silicone brush, cover or rub the filets with oil on both sides before seasoning generously with salt and pepper. This is also the time to add your favorite seasonings or glazes if you prefer. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400ºF/200ºC and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. Chef’s Tip: Avoid sticking by layering a piece of parchment paper underneath the salmon filets or using a silicone basket – this saves lots of clean-up time! The exact cooking time for your air fryer salmon will depend on the size and thickness of the filets, as well as the individual model of your air fryer. Check on the salmon at 8 minutes, then continue to cook if needed.
Vegetables: Salmon works best with green veggies. Try it with air fryer asparagus, sauteed sugar snap peas, or easy broccolini recipe. It also works great with mushrooms, artichokes, or Brussels sprouts. Grains and Starch: Try it with potatoes au gratin, roasted potatoes, or mashed potatoes. It’s also easily added over rice with sauce and avocado for an easy and quick lunch (salmon rice bowl). Salads: Serve alongside a colorful salad for a light but nutritious meal.
