How Long to Cook Frozen Salmon in an Air Fryer for Perfectly Cooked Fish

Cooking frozen salmon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a healthy delicious meal any night of the week. With an air fryer you don’t even need to thaw the salmon fillets before cooking. The circulating hot air will gently defrost and cook the salmon to tender, flaky perfection in under 15 minutes.

So how long exactly should you cook frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer? The cooking time can vary a bit depending on the size and thickness of the fillets, but in most cases it takes 7 minutes to defrost the salmon and then just 3-8 more minutes to cook it through. Read on for more details on timing so you can nail perfectly cooked air fryer salmon every time!

Why Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer?

One of the most popular kitchen tools is the air fryer, which can make food taste like it was fried without all the extra oil that comes with frying. This makes them excellent for cooking lean and healthy proteins like salmon.

Here are some of the benefits of cooking salmon in an air fryer

• No defrosting required. The circulating air cooks food from frozen in minutes. No standing over the sink running cold water over salmon for 30 minutes!.

• Quick cooking time. Dinner can be on the table in around 15 minutes.

• Crisp exterior. The hot dry air makes the outside of the salmon get beautifully browned and crisp.

• Moist interior. The fish cooks through gently so it stays tender and juicy inside.

• Versatility. Cook salmon plain, use lemon slices or herbs for added flavor, or coat in breadcrumbs or cajun seasoning if you want something crispy.

• Easy cleanup. With minimal added oils or sauces, air fryer cooking means fast and simple cleanup.

With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why cooking salmon in an air fryer has become a popular weeknight dinner strategy for healthy eaters. Follow the timings below to make sure your fish comes out perfect.

How Long to Cook Frozen Salmon Fillets

Most frozen salmon fillets require just 10-15 minutes of cooking time in an air fryer set at 390°F. Here is a simple step-by-step process:

1. Set the air fryer to 390°F. This high heat helps the outside of the salmon get browned and crisp.

2. Place the frozen fillets in the air fryer basket. If the salmon has skin, place it skin-side down.

3. Cook the frozen salmon for 7 minutes. This defrosts the fish so it will cook evenly.

4. Remove the basket and brush or spray the salmon with oil. Season with salt, pepper, herbs or citrus slices if desired.

5. Return the salmon to the air fryer and cook for 3-8 more minutes, until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Thicker fillets take longer.

6. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature when unsure if the salmon is done. It should reach 145°F.

And that’s it! Perfectly cooked, tender and flaky salmon ready to enjoy. The air fryer does all the work of defrosting and cooking the fish for you.

Factor Affecting Salmon Cook Time

While most frozen salmon fillets take 10-15 minutes to cook through in the air fryer, there are a few factors that can alter the timing somewhat:

Thickness of the Fillets

Thinner salmon fillets that are around 1/2-inch thick will cook faster than thicker fillets over 1-inch thick. Thinner pieces may only need 3-5 minutes to cook after the initial 7 minute defrosting time. Thicker fillets can take upwards of 8-10 minutes to finish cooking.

Use your judgement and check for doneness with a fork or thermometer. Thicker salmon fillets should cook through to 145°F and flake apart when gently scraped with a fork.

Size of the Fillets

Larger salmon fillets may take a minute or two longer to cook than smaller 4-6 oz portions. This is because there is more total fish to heat and cook through.

To ensure even cooking, try to buy salmon fillets that are similarly sized or cut larger pieces in half if needed.

Composition of the Air Fryer

Air fryer designs differ, with some heating up faster and circulating air more efficiently than others. This can impact cook times.

Get to know your specific air fryer model to understand how quickly it preheats and cooks. You may need to adjust the timings above slightly up or down.

In general, most average-sized air fryers will cook frozen salmon fillets in 10-15 minutes. Rely on checks for doneness over exact minute counts.

Added Toppings or Coatings

Plain salmon fillets will cook faster than those that have been coated in breadcrumbs or layered with additional ingredients.

If topping salmon with lemon slices, fresh herbs, or spices, keep a close eye on doneness as the coatings may increase cook time slightly.

Preferred Level of Doneness

Cooking times are based on cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F, which yields fish that is opaque and flakes apart.

However, some people prefer their salmon cooked medium or medium-rare around 125-135°F for a more tender, buttery texture. Cook for less time if you want your salmon on the rarer side.

How to Tell When Salmon is Done

Since so many factors impact air fryer cook times, it’s good to know how to check that salmon is fully cooked through. Here are some ways to test for doneness:

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the fillet. 145°F is the recommended safe temperature.

• Check the opacity and color of the salmon. It should be mostly opaque and pink/orange through when cooked.

• Flake the salmon open with a fork. It should break apart into moist, tender flakes easily.

• Look for any remaining raw color or transparency near the center of the thickest part of the fillet. If present, it needs more time.

Learning to recognize when salmon is perfectly cooked just takes practice. Start checking at the lower end of the time range provided, and give it a few extra minutes if the fish doesn’t seem done.

Cook Time for Fresh vs Frozen Salmon

While this article is focused on cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer, you can use the same methods for fresh salmon fillets too.

However, since fresh salmon doesn’t need to be defrosted first, the cook time is faster:

• For fresh salmon, cook at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until opaque and flakes apart.

• Brush fresh fillets with oil before cooking and season as desired.

• Thicker fresh fillets may take up to 8 minutes to cook through fully.

So while frozen salmon takes about 15 minutes, count on closer to 5-8 minutes for fresh. Adjust as needed based on thickness and doneness preferences.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Salmon

Cooking salmon in the air fryer may be quick and easy, but following these tips yields the absolute best results:

• Pat dry fresh salmon fillets before cooking to help them get nicely browned and crisp on the outside.

• Brush or spray salmon fillets with oil before cooking for added moisture and flavor. Olive or avocado oil work well.

• Season simply with just salt, pepper, and maybe some lemon slices or fresh herbs. The salmon flavor will shine.

• Use an instant-read thermometer to eliminate guesswork and prevent overcooking.

• Don’t overload the air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate evenly for even cooking.

• Handle the salmon gently after cooking. It will continue to firm up off heat.

• Allow thicker fillets to rest 3-5 minutes before serving. The inside will finish cooking.

Follow this simple guidance for timing, and soon perfectly cooked crispy-outside-tender-inside air fryer salmon will be on regular rotation in your kitchen!

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have some questions about how long to cook frozen salmon in an air fryer? Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

Should You Flip the Salmon Halfway Through Cooking?

Flipping or turning the salmon fillets halfway through the air fryer cooking time can help them cook evenly. However, with the circulating hot air, it’s not strictly necessary. Flipping also risks the fillets breaking apart or overhandling. For less fuss, simply place the fillets skin-side down and leave them undisturbed.

Does Air Fryer Salmon Get Dry?

Thanks to the very short cook time, air fryer salmon gets deliciously browned on the outside but stays moist on the inside. As long as you don’t overcook it, the fish will turn out tender and flaky. Co