I have to share my tried-and-true method for cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer. It’s much easier than you think, and my recipe yields tender and flaky fish every time.
My family typically enjoys air fryer salmon, but on the (many) occasions I forget to take some out of the freezer to thaw, I have a solution- air fryer frozen salmon.
I’ve a degree in culinary arts, and I’ve perfected the art of cooking protein from a frozen state to make it taste as close to fresh as possible. Cooking the salmon from frozen promotes even cooking throughout. Halfway through the cooking time, I brush them with either a homemade glaze or a bottled sauce. I’ve tested this recipe dozens of times and find that adding the sauce caramelizes over the salmon, leaving you with crisp and tender salmon that flakes perfectly.
Why I love this recipe
- No prep work: Seriously, just place the frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer. No preheating the air fryer is needed, either.
- Quick and easy: From prep to plate, I can get this salmon on the dinner table in just 12 minutes.
- Easy to customize: You can use any simple seasoning mix or sauce of choice. Even salt and pepper will suffice!
My air fryer salmon bites also work with frozen salmon.
Key Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities below.
- Frozen salmon fillets. I typically use 5 or 6 ounce fillets. Skin-on fillets are preferred, as it’s easier to remove from the air fryer, but skinless fillets will also work.
- Seasonings or sauces. Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika.
How to air fry frozen salmon
Step 1- Assemble. Place the frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer and season, if desired. Air fry for 5 minutes.
Step 2- Glaze. Open the air fryer and brush with a sauce or glaze, if desired.
Step 3- Finish. Air fry for another 5 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
Recipe variations
As mentioned earlier, air frying frozen salmon is great because it’s so easy to customize with various seasonings and sauces. Try one of my favorite combos below:
- Sauces. For an Asian twist, I love to brush on some eel sauce or bulgogi sauce. Both these sauces have some sugar in them, which caramelizes the exterior beautifully. BBQ sauce or katsu sauce are also two other popular ones.
- Lemon slices. Always a classic, top the frozen salmon with thinly sliced lemon during the air frying process.
- A spicy kick. A sprinkling of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, or a store-bought blackened seasoning. The latter is a twist on my blackened salmon.
- Maple Dijon. For a sweet and tangy hit, whisk together one tablespoon of maple syrup with Dijon mustard and brush on the salmon halfway through.
3 Common mistakes when making frozen salmon in the air fryer
Check out my pro tips and common mistakes to avoid:
- Par-thawing the salmon. This recipe works with frozen salmon straight from the freezer. If it’s partially thawed, the cooking times listed will be incorrect.
- Overcrowding the air fryer. Crowding the air fryer basket with too many salmon fillets prevents proper circulation which results in over or undercooked bits of salmon. If needed, cook in batches.
- Not using a meat thermometer. Guys, a meat thermometer is the best investment if you ever cook with protein (and since you are here, I’m assuming you do!). They are super affordable (under $10) and they tell you when your salmon is fully cooked. Look for an internal temperature of 145F.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover salmon will keep in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled salmon in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Frequently asked questions
Nope! My recipe has been specifically been created to cook salmon directly from the freezer.
The precise cooking time comes down to the thickness and weight of the salmon fillets. For this recipe, I use 5 ounce salmon fillets that are around 1-1/4 inches in thickness which cooks in precisely 11 minutes at 400F. Thicker fillets will take longer and thinner fillets a little shorter.
I actually always recommend air frying salmon with the skin on, even if you don’t enjoy eating it. The skin gives the salmon fillets extra stability, which means you don’t need to flip them at all during the air frying process.
More easy air fryer recipes
If you tried this Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
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Remove the salmon fillets from the freezer and place them in the air fryer. If desired, add salt and pepper on top.
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Air fry the frozen salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
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Open the air fryer basket and brush one tablespoon of sauce over each fillet. Air fry for an additional 7 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve immediately.
- Cooking time: The cooking time is for 5-ounce frozen salmon fillets. For thicker/larger fillets, increase the cooking time and check the doneness using a meat thermometer.
- Sauce is optional: If you don’t add a sauce, don’t open the air fryer at the 5-minute mark; instead, continue cooking.
- Leftovers: Store salmon in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSodium: 451mgPotassium: 7mgFiber: 0.1gVitamin A: 1IUCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.02mgNET CARBS: 2g
