A quick and easy air fryer frozen salmon recipe that turns frozen (or fresh!) salmon into tender, flaky, perfectly cooked fish! All you need is 20 minutes, frozen salmon fillets, simple spices, and cooking oil. The result? A delicious, healthy, and flavorful meal. No thawing needed!
What Makes This Recipe Great
I love making fresh and healthy recipes that present as fancy dishes but are secretly so quick and so easy. Making frozen salmon in the air fryer is exactly that! I was skeptical, but once again, these air fryers are pure magic!
This air fryer salmon recipe uses frozen salmon fillets, simple spices, the cooking oil of your choice, and an air fryer. That’s it!
In under 20 minutes, these frozen salmon fillets transform into a tender, flaky fish dinner. It’s super flavorful and full of nutrients and healthy fats. Serve with side dishes like my Sesame Broccolini or Paleo Kimchi Brussels Sprouts and a side of rice. And if you’re looking for more delicious salmon recipes, check these out.
Watch a Short Video of This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
Frozen Salmon Fillets: Find frozen salmon filets that are about 6oz each. I like to use wild-caught salmon as it’s more sustainable than farmed salmon.
Cooking Spray: Use olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil spray of your choice. I like using avocado oil due to its high smoke point.
Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, ground black pepper.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Spray the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray, and add the frozen salmon fillets skin side down.
- Cook for 7 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, combine paprika garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir together.
- Sprinkle the top of the salmon all over with the spice blend.
- Place the salmon back into the air fryer for 6-9 minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the salmon.
- Cook the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. I like to cook it to medium, around 125-130 degrees for a more tender texture. However, 145 degrees is the recommended temperature for food safety.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
Serving: Serve with your favorite side dishes like rice and vegetables. I love to make a rice bowl with greens, avocado, kimchi, cucumbers, sriracha, and mayo. Feel free to squeeze lemon juice on top to add fresh flavor and brightness.
Fresh Salmon: You can use fresh salmon fillets instead of frozen ones. For fresh salmon, spray with oil and seasoning and air fry at 400 degrees F for 7-9 minutes.
Air Fryer: If you are looking to invest in an air fryer, I recommend getting one that is at least 4-5 qt. The larger size keeps you from overcrowding when cooking. This is the air fryer that I have and love it.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop with a bit of cooking oil or air fry for 5 minutes at 375 degrees.
Recipe FAQs
An internal temperature of 145 degrees is the recommended temperature for food safety. I personally like to cook my frozen salmon to medium, around 125-130 degrees for a more tender texture. The fish should be opaque in color and flaky when done cooking.
No! They will cook from frozen perfectly in the air fryer. There is no need to thaw.
I personally like to use wild-caught salmon, but this can be on the pricier side. Use whatever salmon fits your budget and preferences. It will turn out delicious!
There are so many health benefits to eating salmon. It is full of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is also a great source of lean protein.
Try These Air Fryer Recipes…
Keto Air Fryer Tonkatsu (Japanese Fried Pork)
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
Healthy Air Fryer Frozen Salmon | No Thaw!
Video
Ingredients
- 2 frozen salmon fillets about 6 oz each
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Spray the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray, and add the frozen salmon skin side down.
- Cook for 7 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and stir together.
- Sprinkle the top of the salmon all over with the spice blend.
- Place back in the air fryer for 6-9 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon until it reaches 145 degrees F. (I personally like to cook it to medium – around 125-130 degrees – for a more tender texture, but 145 is the recommended temperature for food safety.)
- Serve immediately.
Notes
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Can this recipe be doubled in the air fryer or can I only cook 2 filets at a time? I just got my air fryer and haven’t used it much.
No- you can double it if you want!
Love your recipes and site! Do you think this would still be yummy without the paprika and black pepper? I am on the AIP elimination phase and cannot use either one. Is there another AIP-compliant spice that would be a good replacement? This girl is not a chef! Lol. Thanks!
Hi Kim – You can use any spice combo you like! Just salt would be fine as well, maybe with some onion and garlic powder. Hope you enjoy!