Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 6 oz salmon fillets (frozen)

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Grab salmon straight from your freezer and cook it perfectly in mere minutes. This Air Fryer Frozen Salmon will simplify busy weeknights without holding back on flavor. Perfect quick dinner to throw together at the last minute!

Salmon fillet cut into, exposing perfectly cooked center.

Why This Recipe Works

Last year after I got my air fryer one of the first foods I experimented with was salmon. My husband and I eat salmon A LOT. It is such a delicious way to get omega-3 fatty acids into our bodies and it is super simple to cook.

But did you know it can get even easier than oven-baked salmon? This salmon dinner made in an air fryer is delicious and easy, but today I’m offering an even easier version: Salmon cooked straight out of the freezer! It’s true! (And cooks to PERFECTION.)

If you enjoy this yummy orange fish like we do, consider giving this cooking method a try. You’ll be blown away by its ease!

Recipe Ingredients

Two frozen salmon fillets on a cutting board next to olive oil spritzer.

Frozen salmon fillets – This is the only ingredient necessary, making this the easiest way to enjoy a nutritious, delicious dinner. No thawing necessary! Straight from the freezer to air fryer, dinner is on the table in no time.

Seasonings – To give the salmon a bit of flavor, you can go a couple routes. Either purchase a pre-seasoned frozen variety OR throw a few simple ingredients together yourself. A simple pat of butter and lemon juice on top will work wonders.

How To Make This Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Step 1

Lightly spray the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray and place salmon filets inside in a single layer.

Two frozen salmon fillets inside an air fryer.

Step 2

Cook at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from air fryer and enjoy immediately!

Cooked salmon fillets inside an air fryer.

Recipe Notes

Optional seasoning (if using fillets that have not been pre-seasoned, packaged and frozen): Place 2 tablespoons of butter on the top of each fillet. Squeeze juice from a slice of lemon over top. This is my favorite seasoning option!
Another simpler option is to spread a bit of olive oil over the top of each fillet.
A different way to season would be to combine garlic powder, black pepper and salt in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top before cooking. Any type of seafood rub would taste great, too.
If there is skin on the fillet, place skin side down.
It’s better to undercook than overcook, especially with a delicate food like salmon. If you find that your fish is not fully cooked in the center, pop it back into the air fryer for a couple minutes.
I love cooking this protein with super simple seasonings like salt and pepper. Feel free to add other seasonings before cooking such as paprika, garlic or onion powder or ginger.
For an added touch of spunk, consider rubbing a small amount of soy sauce or brown sugar over the tops of the fillets before cooking.
Place the 2 fillets in the center of the air fryer basket/pot but ensure they are not touching.
The cooking time for this recipe depends on the thickness of your fillet. For 1-inch fillets at the thickest part of the salmon, air fry for 13 minutes. With 1 1/2-inch fillets, cook for 15 minutes. For 2-inch fillets, increase time to 17 minutes.
Store leftovers in aluminum foil or in an airtight container in the fridge.

What To Serve With Salmon

Salmon is the perfect food to serve for lunch, dinner or at a party. Read on for 23 delicious sides for salmon when you’re looking to create a complete meal!

Salmon, hash browns and Brussels sprouts on a pink plate ready to eat.

FAQ About Salmon

Are salmon freshwater fish?

Salmon are born in fresh water, making them freshwater fish. They eventually migrate to the sea and return to fresh water to reproduce.

Can salmon be cooked from frozen?

Salmon can definitely be cooked from frozen and cook very well using this method. Add 2-5 minutes to the cook time to ensure fish is fully cooked through.

Can salmon be reheated?

To avoid a dried-out salmon, reheat slow and low in a 250-degree F oven for approximately 15 minutes.

Can salmon be undercooked?

Salmon can be eaten raw, making it impossible to undercook. If you wish for it to be cooked fully, you will see a bright pink color and shiny center when undercooked. Uncooked salmon will not flake when fork tongs are pressed into it.

When salmon is done?

An easy way to tell if salmon is done is to stick fork tongs into the center of the fillet. If the flesh flakes, easily breaking apart along the lines that run across the fillet, and the outer and inner texture consistency and color don’t change, it is finished cooking. The internal temperature of fully cooked salmon should read 145 degrees F. Use a high quality meat thermometer to capture this reading.

What To Serve As a Side Dish

White or brown rice with a bit of lemon or lime juice squeezed over the top.
Vegetable Rice Summer Salad is absolutely perfect for small or large gatherings. Great as lunch, a party food or a side to dinner. It is colorful and packed with delicious flavor and textures and perfect for any occasion!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are an easy and delicious side for any meal! They taste better than regular French fries and are a great healthy lunch, snack or side dish. Whole30 compliant, too.
Cauliflower Mushroom Rice Replace rice with this veggie-packed Cauliflower Mushroom Rice side dish. It’s easy to make and prepared in 15 minutes.
Grilled Cabbage Steaks – Take grilled cabbage to the next level by making cabbage steaks! Top them with shaved Parmesan cheese, bbq sauce or just a simple pat of butter.

Best Air Fryer Recipes

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