Air Fryer Miso Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Should salmon be skin up or down in air fryer? ›

Brush the salmon on both sides with the oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt. Arrange the salmon, skin side up if any, in the air fryer basket. Cook until the skin is crisp and the flesh is barely opaque throughout, about 10 minutes.

"You don't have to flip the salmon, which you do in most other cooking techniques because it does cook so quickly." Depending on the thickness of your fillet, air fryer salmon only takes about 10 minutes to cook, landing itself a spot on the easy weeknight dinners list.

It's best if you can let frozen salmon thaw in the fridge before you plan on cooking it. (Then you can cook it as if it were fresh.) However, you can cook frozen fish directly in the air fryer with an extra step.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

To prevent your salmon from sticking, spray or lightly coat the air fry basket with oil. Then place the salmon in one layer, evenly across the bottom of your basket. Learn more about air frying in your oven or standalone appliance.

Internal temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer; the salmon should register 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Flakiness: When gently pressed with a fork, the fish should easily flake apart. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the salmon. Cook with the skin side down for best results.

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most popular fishes to make, and if you like the skin, there's absolutely no reason to discard it. In fact, the salmon skin is known to be an excellent source of minerals, plus omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and more nutrients.

Properly salt you salmon and don't forget to preheat

The Wild Alaskan Company notes that improperly salting salmon will bring all the moisture to the surface, rendering the inside dry and flavorless. You can combat this by waiting to salt your salmon until right before you cook it or using a brine or marinade.

What is the white stuff coming out of my salmon in the air fryer? ›

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

Firmness: Cooked salmon should be firm but still moist. When you press down gently on the flesh with a fork or your finger, it should feel slightly resistant but still give way easily. If the salmon is still hard or resists your fork, it needs more time to cook. If it is mushy or falls apart, it may be overcooked.

Is it safe to feed your salmon? The short answer is yes. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the immune system, may decrease inflammation, and can keep your dog's coat looking shiny and healthy. Along with some other types of fish, salmon is also a good protein source.

So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.

Spray the Basket Lightly with Vegetable Oil Spray

The next protective measure you can take is an obvious one: spraying the basket lightly with vegetable oil spray. We recommend doing this with foods that are prone to sticking, including fried chicken, chicken Parmesan, and our better-than-boxed fish sticks.

Lay three or four chicken skins in a single layer, skin-side down, on the air fryer basket and program the air fryer to cook at 400°F for a total of 12 minutes. At the halfway point (i.e. 6 minutes), flip the chicken skins over so they are skin-side up. Air fry the chicken skins the remaining 6 minutes or until crispy.

Follow this tip: Unless you're poaching the salmon, leave the skin on. It works as a protective barrier between the delicate flesh and a hot pan, baking sheet, or grill. Plus, crispy salmon skin just might become a favorite treat once you've had it done right.