Your weeknight dinners just got a little bit easier thanks to this Air Fryer Frozen Salmon! It’s done in 25 minutes, ready for adding your favorite sauces, garnishes, and sides.
You know those nights when your original dinner plans fall though and you need something quick and easy to make instead? Cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer is PERFECT for those days. Instead of resorting to sad frozen pizzas, you can pop frozen salmon (yep, no thawing!) right in the air fryer and cook it to flaky, flavorful perfection. If you love Air Fryer Salmon Bites, you'll enjoy this recipe too!
Why Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Is the Perfect Weeknight Dinner
Ever since I’ve discovered that you can cook salmon directly from frozen in the air fryer, I’ve been doing it all the time. I have a feeling you’re going to love it too!
- No need to thaw. I can’t even tell you how many times I've forgotten to take my main protein out of the freezer to thaw before dinner. (Yes, even food bloggers do this!) So I just LOVE that this method doesn’t require any thawing in advance.
- Quick and easy. The convection method makes cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer fast, plus there’s almost no prep involved. Serve the salmon with a simple salad or add it to power bowls. There are so many ways to use it.
- Crispy exterior, tender flaky interior. The high heat of the air fryer creates a crispy outside while keeping the interior moist and flaky. Although I share some seasoning and sauce ideas below, you really don’t even need them!
What You’ll Need
The ingredient list for this recipe is super short! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Salmon – You’ll need frozen salmon fillets.
- Olive oil – For that wonderful crispy exterior.
- Salt and ground pepper – All the seasoning you need for delicious air fried salmon.
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
Here's how easy it is to make this recipe!
- Season. Place the frozen salmon in the air fryer basket with the skin-side down. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the salt and pepper.
- Cook. Air fry the salmon at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Seasoning Ideas
If you want to add dried herbs and spices to your frozen salmon, do this before cooking, after adding the olive oil.
- Garlic powder and paprika – A classic combo that adds some savory flavor.
- Old Bay seasoning – This one’s always good with seafood!
- Cajun seasoning – For spicy, Louisiana-style flavor.
- Seasoning salt – This is typically made with onion and garlic powder, salt, paprika, and other spices, so if you don’t have a jar on hand, you can mix up something similar with pantry spices.
Topping and Sauce Ideas
Fresh herbs and sauces can be added after the salmon has cooked.
- Mango salsa – Pineapple salsa also works! Spoon this over the top of the salmon before serving.
- Chimichurri – For a bright, tangy, and herbaceous flavor.
- Pesto – Pesto salmon is a popular dish, but the pesto is usually baked with the salmon. I actually like it even better spooned over the top because the flavor is more vibrant.
- Spicy mayo – Stir sriracha into your favorite mayo.
- Fresh herbs – Dill, parsley, and tarragon are great with salmon, especially with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Sides for Serving With This Salmon
So many side dishes will pair well with this air fryer frozen salmon. A simple salad is nice, especially when it's dressed up with Green Goddess Salad Dressing or another tasty homemade option. Serve your salmon with Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes, Honey Roasted Carrots, or just steam some frozen veggies and keep your dinner super easy.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat: I like to warm leftovers in the air fryer to recrisp the exterior a bit. The microwave also works, but you’ll want to be careful not to overheat the salmon.
More Salmon Recipes
Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 (4- to 6-ounce) frozen salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground pepper
Instructions
- Place the frozen salmon fillets, skin-side down, in the basket of your air fryer.
- Drizzle them with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Feel free to use other spices here as well, we're just sticking with salt and pepper to keep the flavor neutral.
- Air fry at 375ºF for 15 – 20 minutes until the internal temperature reads 145ºF or higher. Serve the salmon with your favorite sides and enjoy! (see above for lots of yummy ideas)
Nutrition
