You'll never believe how easy it is to make frozen salmon in an air fryer! Get a tasty and healthy dinner on the table in 15 minutes with this simple recipe.
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.
This is why if I'm not poaching salmon for a recipe, I'm air frying it!
And let's just 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 salmon that was fresh or defrosted. 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 meal Minimal prep time and very little hands-on time. For me, this is the easiest way to make air fryer salmon. Serve it with a rice or angel hair pasta and a simple veggie or on top of a salad, and you've got a complete meal.
- 2 Ingredients Just frozen salmon and pesto. If you prefer to make your own pesto, you'll need a few more ingredients like fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
- 15-Minute recipe Besides the taste, the fact that it's ready in just 15 minutes is the best part! 😉 Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Simple ingredients I was actually just talking to a fisherman about this the other day. We agreed that the best way to prepare fish is with simple seasoning.
- High in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids Eating salmon helps to meet the daily fish recommendations.
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.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen salmon filets Wild or farm-raised Atlantic salmon. Salmon is high in protein and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. No need to buy skinless salmon fillets.
- Pesto Storebought pesto or one of my homemade pesto recipes, Pistachio Pesto or pesto with walnuts. The moisture from pesto helps to keep the salmon from drying out as it cooks. This recipe calls for three-quarters of a cup of pesto which equals 6 ounces (2 ounces equals one quarter of a cup).
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in an Air Fryer
Here is a summary of the simple steps for making frozen salmon in the air fryer. For the full list of ingredients and complete instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Remove the packaging from frozen salmon filets.
- Place frozen salmon fillets skin side down on a piece of aluminum foil in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Put the air fryer basic with the frozen salmon in the preheated air fryer and air fry the salmon for 7 minutes.
- Carefully pull out the basket with the salmon fillets on it and spread a generous layer of pesto on each salmon filet. Return to the air fryer.
- Continue cooking in the air fryer for another 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the fillet reaches between 125- and 145-degrees Fahrenheit. Salmon is done when it’s opaque throughout. Test for doneness by inserting a paring knife between the layers.
Helpful Tips
- Preheat your air fryer for best results. I don't always preheat my air fryer, but I do for this recipe.
- Cook time can vary depending on the air fryer used and the size and thickness of the 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.
- Coat the aluminum foil with cooking spray or use a basting brush to spread a thin layer of avocado oil on the foil before placing the salmon fillets on it. This is to keep it the salmon from sticking to the foil.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon.
- Remove the salmon when the internal temperature reaches 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit and let it sit for a few minutes. It will continue to cook.
- 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.
- Always follow the manufacturers instructions specific to your air fryer.
How to Serve Salmon
- Pesto Pasta Serve this salmon with pasta noodles, wilted spinach or broccoli, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Or add this salmon in place of cooked chicken to Pesto with Tortellini.
- Salad Topping 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.
- Keep it Separate Salmon served with a side of rice and roasted veggies, like asparagus and carrots, make an excellent combination. Salmon also tastes great with a simple rice or easy orzo dish.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Just like salmon, sweet potato fries can be air fried from frozen.
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chunks
- Air Fryer Broccoli with Parmesan
- Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Simple Air Fryer 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.
Store leftover cooked salmon refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days. While you can reheat it, I prefer to add to a salad as is. Yum!
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 the frozen salmon filets at 375 degrees 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 using an instant-read digital food thermometer.
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.
Kevin says
Followed this to the letter and it was visibly raw. 2 additional minutes did nothing but brown the pesto.
Kristi says
Im sorry this recipe didn’t work for you. It may be due to the thickness of the salmon filet or difference in air fryers. I’ve made this recipe several times and, if anything, the salmon gets a little overcooked when I think it needs an extra few minutes.
I’m not sure what else to suggest other than cooking it for a few more minutes before adding the pesto to avoid burning the pesto.
Thanks for your your feedback!
Nate says
No temperature.
Kristi says
Good catch! I did say to preheat the air fryer at 375 degrees in the recipe card, but I can see how it would be helpful if I would have repeated the temperature of 375 degrees in step 4. I'll correct that now!