Perfect Timing: How Long to Cook Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

While air fryers make cooking easier, many wonder about frozen salmon: how long does it take to achieve both thorough cooking and tenderness?

How long does it take to cook frozen salmon in air fryer?

It usually takes 15 - 18 minutes.

Key steps: Temperature and time combination

There's no need to thaw frozen salmon. Put it directly into the preheated air fryer. Set the temperature to 200°C and bake for 12 minutes first. Then take it out, gently turn it over, and bake for an additional 3 - 6 minutes.

Adjust the specific time according to the thickness of the fish pieces - For slices about 1 centimeter thick, 15 minutes is sufficient. For thick chunks over 2 centimeters, it is recommended to extend the time to 18 minutes.

Details for locking in moisture

I brush a thin layer of olive oil on the surface of the fish, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, and place lemon slices or shredded onions at the bottom. This can not only prevent the fish from sticking to the pan but also give the fish a faint fragrance. When turning the fish over halfway through, if you notice the edges are too dry, you can spray a small amount of water or cover it with aluminum foil.

Should you spray oil on frozen salmon before air frying?

For fish pieces with skin, there's no need to spray oil, but it is recommended for skinless fish pieces.

For salmon with skin, directly place it in the fryer basket with the skin side down. The natural oil in the fish skin is sufficient to prevent sticking. I usually set the temperature at 200°C and bake it for 12 minutes first. When flipping the fish, the meat side will already be slightly charred. At this time, you can brush a layer of honey water on it to make it look brighter.

For skinless salmon or belly parts, it is necessary to spray oil! After drying the surface of the frozen fish, use a spray bottle to evenly spray a thin layer of olive oil. Pay special attention to spraying the edges which are prone to burning, and just lightly spray over the center part. After spraying oil, the outer layer of the baked fish will be slightly crispy while the center remains moist.

What if there is no spray bottle in an emergency? Here are two alternative methods:

1.Dip a kitchen paper in oil and gently wipe the surface of the fryer basket and the fish.

2.Pause the cooking at the 8 - minute mark and quickly brush a layer of melted butter.

Can you cook multiple pieces of frozen salmon at once?

It's no problem to cook multiple pieces of frozen salmon in an air fryer at once, but the placement technique is very important. Here are three practical methods I often use:

Staggered stacking for more even cooking

For fish pieces with skin, place them skin side down and stack them in a staggered way like roof tiles. Leave a gap the width of a coin between two pieces to ensure that the hot air can penetrate each layer.

Slightly adjust the temperature to avoid half - cooked fish

Raise the temperature by 5℃ compared to cooking a single piece. For example, if you usually use 200℃ and cook for 15 minutes for a single piece, then use 205℃ and cook for 18 minutes for multiple pieces. Quickly pull out the fryer basket at the 10 - minute mark during cooking and swap the positions of the fish pieces in the upper and lower layers.

Keep the fish moist and prevent it from drying out

Lay a layer of Chinese cabbage leaves or celery stalks at the bottom of the fryer basket. This can not only catch the dripping fish oil, but the evaporated water vapor can also prevent the fish from becoming dry. When it's cooked for 12 minutes, spray some lemon juice on the top - layer fish pieces.

Should you flip frozen salmon in the air fryer?

You need to flip the fish, but it depends on the thickness of the fish pieces. In actual operation, I handle it differently:

Thin - sliced fish fillets don't need flipping

For thin slices less than 1 centimeter thick, it's more convenient to not flip them throughout the process. Place the side with skin facing down and bake at 200°C for a full 15 minutes. The crispy bottom and the tender upper part of the fish will be ready simultaneously. Be careful to handle the fryer basket gently when pulling it out to avoid breaking the fish fillets.

Thick - cut fish pieces must be flipped

For fish pieces thicker than 1.5 centimeters, it is recommended to flip them after baking for 10 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to gently push and turn the fish from the side of the meat to keep its shape intact. After flipping, lower the temperature to 180°C and continue baking for 5 - 8 minutes. This way, the outer layer won't become hard and charred, and the center will also be thoroughly cooked.

How do you know when frozen salmon is done in air fryer?

The safest way is to insert a food thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 63°C, it's done. If you don't have a professional tool, you can cut open the thickest part of the salmon to check: The ideal state is that the outer layer is slightly browned, and the inside is moist but not oozing blood.

You can also observe the layering state of the meat:

During the middle and later stages of baking, gently poke the side of the fish with the tip of a chopstick. A fully cooked salmon will naturally separate into obvious flaky textures. The translucent appearance of the raw part of the meat will disappear and turn into a uniform pinkish - white color. If there is still a jelly - like area in the middle, you need to bake it for another 2 minutes.

Test the adhesion of the fish skin:

When cooking with the skin on, a fully cooked fish skin will slightly shrink and lift. Gently lift a corner of the fish skin with tongs. If it can be easily peeled off and makes a crisp sound, it means the cooking time is just right. An undercooked fish skin will stubbornly stick to the fish meat, and there will be obvious resistance when you try to tear it off.

What are some good seasonings for frozen salmon cooked in air fryer?

Salt and black pepper combination:

Dry the surface of the frozen fish. Mix coarse salt grains and freshly ground black pepper in a 1:1 ratio and sprinkle a layer on both the fish skin and the meat side. After baking, squeeze some lemon juice for a fresh and original flavor.

Japanese teriyaki style: Just three ingredients are enough

Mix 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and half a tablespoon of ginger juice. Brush the mixture on the surface of the fish before baking. Brush it one more time in the last 3 minutes for a sweet, salty and caramelized flavor.

Mediterranean flavor:

Mix garlic powder, dried dill and paprika in a ratio of 1:2:1, and stir in olive oil to form a paste. Thickly coat both sides of the frozen fish and bake it directly.

Southeast Asian inspiration: Sour and spicy to whet your appetite

Dilute red curry paste and coconut milk in a 1:1 ratio and pour it over the fish pieces that have been baked for 10 minutes. The remaining heat will make the sauce thicken slightly, offering a sweet and sour taste that is not greasy.

If you want to try a new flavor, try my secret recipe: Mix honey and Dijon mustard in a 2:1 ratio and add a pinch of smoked paprika. Brush a layer before baking and then brush it one more time in the last 5 minutes. The outer skin will have an attractive amber luster.