Air Fryer Salmon with Skin

Updated on October 14th, 2022

In the air fryer, salmon will come out soothing and excellent. It is one of my favorite protein possibilities for this hot appliance. The air fryer produces excellent fish with little to no oil.

Moreover, the skin is crispy, and the top layer makes a wonderful crust. When in a hurry on a busy weeknight, I frequently resort to air fryer fish to serve a wonderful meal with minimal work.

Making air fryer salmon with skin is a great method to achieve delicate, flaky salmon with crispy skin! This air-fried salmon is a healthy evening dish that comes together quickly with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Read on as I have provided a reliable guide and fantastic tips to help you cook salmon with skin in the air fryer.

Salmon Nutrition Facts

Tips on Cooking Salmon with Skin in Air Fryer

Make sure the salmon fillets are all about the same size – The amount of time it takes to cook salmon completely is determined by the thickness of the fillet.

When buying fish at the supermarket or a fishmonger, request cuts are almost the same size. This will ensure that your salmon cooks evenly.

You can choose skin-on salmon whenever possible since it adds a protective covering that prevents the salmon from drying out while cooking.

Prepare your air fryer by preheating it – You should consider your air fryer a frying pan. You will lose that satisfying caramelization if you put a piece of fish in a cold pan and then turn up the heat. The same may be said for the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer for 10 minutes while seasoning the salmon for a crispy edge.

Make sure the basket isn’t too full – I know it may be tempting to stuff the basket full of food, but you risk scorching half of it and undercooking the remainder.

Since the air fryer operates in the same way as a convection oven, circulating hot air around the basket, each fillet must have enough room for the air to reach all four sides.

To guarantee a completely consistent cook, divide the fish into two or more batches. It’s worth the extra cook time.

Cooking salmon with its skin on – The major reason to leave the skin on your salmon is to keep the fish from drying out the salmon. It also takes longer to brown the salmon and allow it to simmer without becoming dry.

Doneness – The air fryer will spit some delicious salmon in about 10 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that salmon fillets come in various shapes and sizes. The longer it takes to cook, the thicker the cut, and the longer it will take to cook.

It would help if you got a meat thermometer to eliminate any guesswork. You are ready to eat when the thickest section of the fillet reaches 140°F on the inside. Then remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside for a few minutes before slicing it so that all those juices will stay intact.

 

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How To Cook Salmon with Skin in Air Fryer

Step 1: Preparation

Start the preparation by preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then place the fillets skin-side down on a sheet of parchment paper while you wait. The skin will not stick to the air fryer basket, making cleanup a breeze.

First, you should measure the paper and cut it just a bit smaller than the size of your basket, allowing longer sides to let you gently pick the fish out.

To help the seasonings attach to the salmon, you must pat the surface dry using paper towels. This will give you a crisper finish as well. Any moisture will cause the food to steam rather than cook.

Step 2: Seasoning 

You can apply olive oil to the surface of the salmon with a pastry brush. Season to taste with salt and pepper. I recommend you to use minced garlic, lemon zest, a splash of lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Cook

Proceed to carefully lower the salmon into the air fryer basket while holding the long sides of the parchment paper. Cook for 10 minutes.

When the beeper goes off, you have to check the internal temperature of the thickest portion of the fish; if it reads 135°F, then the salmon is done. Insert a fork into the center and gently twist to see whether it’s done – it should easily flake.

Step 4: Serve immediately and enjoy

Note that if you don’t take the salmon out of the basket right away, it will continue to cook. So transfer it immediately to a clean platter and finish it off in the air fryer with a fast side dish.

How Long to Cook Salmon with Skin in Air Fryer

Cooking times for salmon vary depending on the temperature of the fish and the size of the fillets. Until you are sure you have become accustomed to the timing of your air fryer, always set it for a little less time than you expect.

One of the best things about the air fryer is how simple it is to re-heat something for a minute if you want it to finish cooking.

You may also check for doneness by opening it while it’s cooking. I always set my timer for a few minutes less to monitor how things are progressing and avoid overcooking a dish. Things cook so quickly that sometimes just a minute more is all that is required.

Preparation Time

Cook Time

Total Time

5 minutes

10 minutes

15 minutes

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