Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

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Frozen salmon in air fryer is the perfect meal when you’ve had a long day, the clock is ticking, and your stomach is sending out urgent hunger signals. Cooking a healthy, gourmet meal seems impossible, but cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer will save the day—no thawing required. 

If you’ve planned ahead and have fresh fish on hand, Air Fryer Salmon is flaky, tender, and delicious with minimal prep work.

When you have one of those days where other dinner plans fall through, or you simply forgot to plan ahead, pull those frozen salmon filets out of the freezer and make this air fryer salmon recipe.

It’s just as tasty, and you don’t have to wait for the fish to thaw. Go from freezer to air fryer to table in about 15 minutes when you learn how to cook frozen salmon in air fryer. 

Salmon is the omega-3-rich, protein-packed superstar of the seafood aisle. Since frozen salmon keeps well, I always have a package or two on hand.

The best part is you can whip up a mouthwatering air fryer frozen salmon dish that’s not only healthy but also bursts with flavor. It takes almost no time at all, and the dish will be juicy and tender. 

Love this recipe? Then be sure to check out my Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia and these Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks.

Why Make This Frozen Salmon Air Fryer Recipe

• No Thawing Needed – We’ve all been caught in situations where we forget to defrost our ingredients. This recipe saves the day by allowing you to air fry frozen salmon without pre-thawing. 
• It’s So Fast – With a cooking time of about 15 minutes straight from the freezer, you’ll have a delightful meal on your plate faster than you can order takeout.
• It’s A Foolproof Recipe – The air fryer does most of the work, making you feel like a kitchen superstar without the stress. You’ll have perfectly cooked salmon in no time.
• It’s Heart Healthy – Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential vitamins. By cooking it in the air fryer, you’re minimizing the need for excess oil, resulting in a healthier meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.

Want another tool to make cooking for the next MONTH as easy as this recipe? Get my full air fryer meal plan here–for free! You can cook up an entire month’s worth of meals using your air fryer!

Ingredient Notes

• Salmon Filets – Frozen salmon filets are convenient and store well in the freezer. They are perfect to keep on hand when you need a quick and easy meal. 
• Dijon Mustard – This adds a tangy and slightly spicy element to the marinade. If you’re not a fan of Dijon mustard, you can substitute it with regular mustard or even honey mustard for a touch of sweetness.
• Olive Oil – Use any light, neutral-flavored oil. 
• Lemon Juice – The acidity of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the salmon. If you don’t have lemon juice on hand, you can use lime juice instead.
• Salt – Sea salt, kosher salt, or even a pinch of smoked salt enhances all of the other flavors. 
• Garlic Powder – Garlic powder imparts a delightful garlicky flavor without the need for chopping or mincing fresh garlic. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to use minced fresh garlic for a stronger flavor, but fresh garlic may burn in the air fryer. 
• Italian Seasoning – A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary that adds depth to the marinade. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can create your own blend using these individual herbs.

How to Cook Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe.

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 340 degrees F / 170 degrees C. 
2. Place the frozen salmon filets in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes.
3. While the salmon cooks, prepare a marinade by mixing olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, salt and spices in a small bowl. 
4. Open the air fryer basket and brush the salmon filets with marinade. 
5. Increase the air fryer temperature to 370 degrees F / 190 degrees C and cook for another 7 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Internal Temp

Salmon should be cooked to the appropriate internal temperature. Undercooking salmon could lead to illness, and overcooked salmon can be dry and tasteless.

For the best results, use a digital thermometer and cook frozen salmon to an internal temperature of 120 degrees F / 49 degrees C for wild-caught salmon or 125 degrees F / 52 degrees C for farmed salmon.

Figuring out the right temperatures can be the hardest part of air fryer cooking. To avoid getting confused, use my FREE air fryer cooking time cheat sheet. Download it instantly right here! Plus, you’ll get immediate access to my full printable library.

Cooking Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer Expert Tips

• Choose high-quality frozen salmon fillets.
• Select wild-caught salmon whenever possible. 
• Preheating your air fryer helps achieve that crispy exterior. 
• There is no need to thaw the salmon filets. 
• Toss all of the marinade ingredients into a clean jar, seal, and shake for easy prep and cleanup. 
• Ensure each fillet is evenly coated with the marinade by using a pastry brush. This ensures consistent flavor and browning.
• Place the salmon fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there’s space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly and ensures even cooking.
• If you’re cooking multiple fillets, consider cooking them in batches if your air fryer isn’t large enough. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and affect the texture.
• The cooking time can vary slightly based on your air fryer’s model and size, as well as the thickness of the fillets. Start checking for doneness around the recommended cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• For perfect results, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon.
• The air fryer’s rapid cooking process means things can change quickly. Keep an eye on the salmon during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent over-browning.
• Once cooked, let the salmon rest for a minute or two. This helps the juices redistribute within the fillet, ensuring moist and tender bites.
• Don’t hesitate to adjust the seasonings to match your taste preferences. The provided seasoning blend is just a starting point – feel free to get creative!
• To elevate the visual appeal, garnish your cooked salmon with fresh herbs, a drizzle of extra lemon juice, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
• Salmon skin is edible, but you can remove it before serving.
• Check out my post to learn how to clean an air fryer well after cooking to avoid the transfer of food smells. 
• Check out some of my favorite things to use to make this recipe.

Delicious Variations on Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

• Spice it up –  If you prefer a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
• Use fresh herbs – While Italian seasoning is a great all-in-one option, using fresh herbs like chopped parsley, basil, or dill can elevate the flavors even more.
• Swap the citrus –  Experiment with different citrus juices. Orange juice or grapefruit juice can offer intriguing flavor variations.
• Add a touch of sweetness  – Replace the Dijon mustard with honey or maple syrup in the marinade.
• Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe.

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – No advanced prep is required.
• Store – Store leftover air fryer frozen salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
• Freeze – Freeze leftover salmon in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Leftover salmon is perfect for making Air Fryer Salmon Patties. 
• Reheat – Reheat salmon in the air fryer until just warmed through. Avoid overcooking. 

Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer FAQs

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and Frozen Food flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of Air Fryer Frozen Foods or start with a few of my most popular recipes:

• Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks. Loved by all the kiddos.
• Air Fryer Cod. So, so easy to make for everyone to eat.
• Air Fryer Tilapia is a simple family favorite.
• Check out this easy to whip up Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.
• Learn How To Reheat Frozen Fish in Air Fryer.
• Seafood lovers, be sure to get this awesome collection of 23 air fryer fish recipes!

Serve Easy Frozen Air Fryer Salmon with:

• Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns. Makes a complete meal.
• Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus. A great combination for weeknights.
• Make Frozen Brussel Sprouts Air Fryer style for a delicious and nutritious side.

Recommended Tools

• You need an awesome Air Fryer.
• An instant read thermometer to make sure your fish is cooked through.
• Try some delicious spices to help flavor this recipes.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Frozen Salmon recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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