Try Air Fryer Frozen Salmon when you forgot to take the salmon out of the freezer. This no-prep dinner recipe is flavorful and healthy. This is a 30-minute meal.

two pieces of air fried salmon on a plate.

You will love this flaky and tender salmon recipe! It has a sweet and salty flavor from the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and coconut aminos. This air fryer frozen salmon recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in 25 minutes.

Fresh salmon is delicious, but it goes bad fairly quickly. On the other hand, frozen salmon lasts up to a year in the freezer and it’s more affordable than fresh fish.

If you’re concerned the air fryer will dry out salmon, let me put those fears to rest. The hot air circulates the salmon for a crispy crust and tender inside.

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 Key Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like
7 Don’t Miss These Air Fryer Resources!
8 Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

Why You Need This Recipe

  • It’s quick with minimal cleanup. Use parchment paper in the air fryer basket for virtually no cleanup. Simply remove the salmon and throw the parchment away.
  • Salmon is rich in high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and potassium. Studies suggest it can help lower inflammation and the risk of heart disease.
  • This recipe results in flaky salmon with crisp edges.
  • There’s no need to defrost the salmon before air frying!

Key Ingredients

maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, coconut aminos, salmon.

Salmon fillets – Frozen salmon typically costs less per pound than fresh salmon. It lasts for a year in the freezer and you don’t even need to defrost it before cooking. If you keep the other five ingredients in your pantry, you’ll never be more than 25 minutes away from a delicious meal.

If you want a regular baked salmon recipe, try this Lemon Ginger Turmeric Salmon.

Olive oil – Heart-healthy olive oil adds flavor and fat to the balsamic glaze. Any neutral flavored oil works well. Avocado oil is a great option too.

Coconut aminos – Coconut aminos is made from the sap of the coconut plant. It has a similar flavor to soy sauce but it’s soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Tamari or soy sauce work great too.

Maple syrup – Maple syrup pairs well with salmon. It helps caramelize the top while adding sweetness.

Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is a sweeter vinegar that tastes amazing in glazes, marinades, and sauces.

Garlic powder – For a hint of nutty, garlic flavor.

Recipe Steps

how to cook salmon in the air fryer.

Step One

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the frozen fillets in the air fryer basket for a cooking time of 7 minutes. For easy cleanup, place the frozen salmon fillets on parchment paper.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

While the salmon cooks, make your marinade.

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, coconut aminos, maple syrup, vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir and set aside.

Step Three

Once the seven minutes is up, open the basket, and brush the top of the salmon with the olive oil mixture.

Step Four

Close the basket and set the cook time for nine more minutes. The salmon will turn an opaque pink and easily flake when it’s cooked through.

cooked frozen salmon fillets inside air fryer.

Step Five

Use tongs or a spatula to remove the salmon to a serving plate and enjoy immediately. I hope your family enjoys this Air Fryer Salmon recipe as much as mine does.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • Most air fryer baskets can handle up to 4 salmon fillets at a time. So, you can easily double this recipe if you want more servings.
  • Some air fryers require preheating. Check your manufacturers guide to see if you need a preheated air fryer.
  • You do not need to defrost your salmon for this recipe as it is written for frozen salmon.
  • Store any leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • If you prefer to use a thermometer to check if the fish is cooked through, then use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon. It should read 145°F.
a plate of crispy salmon ready to eat.

Recipe FAQs

How long do you cook salmon in the air fryer?

It depends on the size and thickness of your fillet. For two 4-ounce pieces of frozen salmon, it takes approximately 16 minutes to cook. Fortunately, the air fryer is very forgiving when cooking fish. You can always stop the air fryer early and check the salmon. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be opaque and flake easily.

What can I serve with salmon?

Salmon is a flavorful lean protein that pairs nicely with roasted vegetables, salads, pasta, grains, and even soups.

What can I do with leftover salmon?

I love making a salmon salad using cooked salmon.

More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my entire index of gluten-free air fryer recipes.

Don’t Miss These Air Fryer Resources!

Air Fryer Versus Deep Fryer

45+ Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners

Air Fryer Pros and Cons for 2023

8 Best Air Fryers Under $100 (2023)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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air fried frozen salmon served on white plate.

Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews
Print Recipe

Try Air Fryer Frozen Salmon when you forgot to take the salmon out of the freezer. This no-prep dinner recipe is flavorful and healthy. This is a 30-minute meal.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 frozen salmon pieces (about 4 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coconut aminos (you can also use tamari or soy sauce depending on your dietary preferences)
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
  2. Place the frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer basket for a cook time of 7 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, coconut aminos, maple syrup, vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir and set aside.
  4. After the first 7 minutes are up for the salmon, open the basket and brush the top of the fish with the olive oil mixture and vinegar.
  5. Close the basket and set the time to an additional 9 minutes. The salmon should be opaque and easily flaked with a fork when it is cooked through.
  6. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Notes

  1. Most air fryer baskets can handle up to 4 salmon fillets at a time. So, you can easily double this recipe if you want more servings.
  2. You do not need to defrost your salmon for this recipe as it is written for frozen salmon.
  3. Store any leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  4. If you prefer to use a thermometer to check if the fish is cooked through, then use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fish. It should read 145°F.

Keywords: air fryer salmon, air fryer recipes, air fryer salmon fillets

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with more than 8 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.