You'll never believe how easy it is to make frozen salmon in an air fryer! All it takes are two simple ingredients and 15 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
While we do enjoy an easy tuna pasta meal, it's always nice to make something that seems a little more special, like this delicious salmon with pesto.
But have you ever thought to make salmon for dinner but then realize that the salmon is still frozen? Well, good news! I've learned that if you slather frozen salmon with basil pesto, you can make perfectly cooked salmon from frozen in the air fryer, and it tastes amazing!
I don't know about you, but even as a dietitian who is well aware of all of the nutritional benefits of eating salmon, I've found it hard to figure out how to cook salmon that tastes good in a way that doesn't require much planning. Afterall, I can't always find good quality fresh salmon in the grocery store, and it takes a few extra steps and time to properly defrost salmon.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when I figured out that I could cook frozen salmon in an air fryer! I just needed to reduce the cooking temperature and leave it in for a few more minutes than I would if I were cooking fresh salmon. That's it, that's the trick!
And because I wanted this recipe to be able to work and taste delicious with both wild and farm-raised salmon, I've been adding a layer of pesto to the top of each salmon filet. The pesto helps retain moisture and gives it even more flavor. Just wait until you taste it!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy and delicious recipe for busy weeknights
- 2 ingredients
- 15-Minute recipe
- Simple ingredients
- Helps meet the daily fish recommendations.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen salmon filets Wild or farm-raised Atlantic salmon. Salmon is high in protein and is an excellent source of omega-3 fats.
- Pesto Storebought pesto or a homemade basil pesto. The moisture from pesto helps to keep the salmon from drying out as it cooks.
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in an Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer at 375 degrees for about two minutes.
- Remove the packaging from frozen salmon filets.
- Place frozen salmon filets skin side down on a piece of foil placed on your air fryer basket.
- Air fry the salmon for 7 minutes.
- Spread a generous layer of pesto on each salmon filet and return to the air fryer.
- Continue cooking in the air fryer for another 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 125- and 145-degrees Fahrenheit.
Dietitian Tip
I don't know about you, but meeting the recommended goal of eating two servings of fish a week can be hard to meet, especially when cooking for kids. And keep in mind that this is a general recommendation for all people of all ages and all body sizes.
For me, I've found salmon to be the trickiest to prepare in a tasty way because salmon has such a unique flavor. So, as a dietitian mom, I have been determined to figure out how to prepare salmon so that most, if not everyone, enjoys eating it.
And let's just say my oldest is almost 16, and while she's been a sport about eating salmon over the years, after eating this air fryer salmon recipe with pesto, "if you make it just like this, I'd eat it every day... with the pesto." So, there you go 😉
My point here is to not give up. If you make fish one way and don't love it, try another 🙂 And, remember that it may take up to 12-15 exposures to a new food to be accepted.
Helpful Tips
- Cook time can vary depending on the air fryer used and the size and thickness of the frozen salmon filets.
- If using parchment paper instead of foil, use a piece of parchment paper the size of the salmon filet(s) to avoid the outer edges of excess parchment paper from burning as the salmon cooks.
- Use a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon.
- Remove the salmon when the internal temperature reaches 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you don't have a digital food thermometer, you should be able to tell when the salmon is done by checking to see if is separates easily with a fork.
- Do not overcook the salmon. Overcooked salmon gets chewy.
- Don’t buy frozen seafood if its package is open, torn, or crushed on the edges.
- Avoid packages where the “frozen” fish flesh is not hard. The fish should not be bendable.
How to Serve Perfectly Cooked Salmon
- Salmon served with a side of rice and roasted veggies, like asparagus and carrots, make an excellent combination.
- Serve this salmon with pasta noodles, wilted spinach or broccoli, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Pesto pasta with salmon is the best!
- This salmon has flavors that go well with a variety of salads, like this kale salad, or served instead of chicken with this Caesar salad.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Sweet potato fries Just like salmon, sweet potato fries can be air fried from frozen.
- Chunks of perfectly cooked sweet potato
- Broccoli with parmesan
- Crispy kale chips
- Simple beet chips
Questions You May Have
Yes. Fish you can air fry fish from frozen, it will just take a little longer and, depending on how you choose to season it, you may need to reduce the air fryer temperature by 25 degrees to keep your sauce or topping from burning.
You can cook salmon from frozen in the oven or in an air fryer. Frozen fish will take longer to cook than fresh fish. Be sure to remove all packaging before cooking frozen fish.
In my experience, it can take 13-18 minutes when cooked in an air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. I've cooked both Wild Coho Salmon and Wild Sockeye Salmon from frozen in my air fryer and the cooking time has varied.
For this reason, I check the internal temperature at 13 minutes and, if it's not ready yet, I cook it in increments of two additional minutes until it is ready.
Most pieces of frozen salmon come vacuum sealed. Use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to cut just above the widest end of the salmon filet. Once air is let in, use scissors to cut across the top of the filet so the piece of salmon can slide out of the packaging.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Did you make frozen salmon in your air fryer and love it? I'd love to hear how it went! Please leave a 5-star review or comment below to let me know
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @carrots.and.cookies for more easy recipes that teens will actually eat 😉
Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz Salmon filets 4, four-ounce frozen salmon filets
- ¾ cup Pesto
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 375 degrees for about two minutes.
- Remove the packaging from frozen salmon filets and line your air fryer basket with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Place frozen salmon filets skin side down on the foil lined air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 7 minutes. Carefully open the air fryer and add a generous layer (about 3-4 tablespoons) of pesto on each salmon filet. Continue to air fry for another 6 minutes. Check the internal temperature, and if needed, air fry for an additional 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notes
- You can skip a step by placing the pesto on the frozen salmon filets and then air fry for 14 minutes instead of cooking it in 7-minute increments. The pesto will get slightly burnt this way, but it will still taste amazing.
- I've made this with both wild Sockeye salmon and wild Coho salmon, and both tasted great.
- Cook time can vary depending on the air fryer used and the size and thickness of the frozen salmon filets.
- Use a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon.
- Remove the salmon when the internal temperature reaches 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you don't have a digital food thermometer, you should be able to tell when the salmon is done by checking to see if is separates easily with a fork.
- Do not overcook the salmon. Overcooked salmon gets chewy.
- Don’t buy frozen seafood if its package is open, torn, or crushed on the edges.
- Avoid packages where the “frozen” fish flesh is not hard. The fish should not be bendable.
- If using parchment paper instead of foil, use a piece of parchment paper the size of the salmon filet(s) to avoid the outer edges of excess parchment paper from burning as the salmon cooks.
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