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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer (Low-Carb)

    Published: Nov 20, 2021 · Modified: May 3, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

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    A picture of cooked salmon fillets on a white platter in the top picture, and the frozen salmon fillets in the bottom left picture, and the cooked salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in the bottom right picture

    This frozen salmon in the air fryer is lightly crispy on the outside and tender and flaky inside. It is an easy, low-carb dish, full of flavor, and has virtually no prep, so it's great when you don't have much time to cook but still want something delicious, perfect for busy weeknights!

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Four pieces of air fryer salmon on a white plate, with a plae of broccoli in the background and sliced lemon beside it. this …

    If you have spent any time on my blog before, you may know I love using my air fryer. It cuts cooking time in half and cooks food with little to no oil.

    This frozen salmon is such an easy meal to make. It is my go-to recipe when I need to get supper on the table in a hurry.

    Cooking salmon in the air fryer is one of the easiest methods to cook salmon. I love cooking fresh salmon on the smoker, but sometimes I need a quick recipe.

    My popular Tilapia recipe inspired this recipe for frozen salmon fillets, also cooked in the air fryer.

    Love salmon recipes? Check out Teriyaki Salmon in Air Fryer, Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill, and Maple Glazed Salmon baked in the oven.

    If you're looking for more excellent air fryer recipes, check out my popular Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer, and Bacon-Wrapped Boneless Chicken Breasts.

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    Jump to:
    • 🏷️ More air fryer recipes
    • 💗 Why you will love frozen air fryer salmon
    • 🐟 Ingredients for air fryer frozen salmon
    • 🔪 How to cook salmon in air fryer
    • ❓ I don't have an air fryer, can I use the oven?
    • 📖 Substitutions
    • 💡 Variations for frozen salmon air fryer
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • 🌡️ Storage
    • 💭 Top tips
    • ⭐ Recipe FAQs
    • 👪 Health benefits of salmon
    • 🥗 Side dishes for teriyaki salmon
    • 🍣 More Seafood Dinner Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 🧯 Food safety
    • 📔 More Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    💗 Why you will love frozen air fryer salmon

    • An easy-to-make dinner recipe that is super fast.
    • Made with real ingredients.
    • Cooks perfectly in the air fryer. The salmon is juicy and tender.
    • Great for meal prep
    • Fully cooked in only 16 minutes!
    • No breading or marinade required.
    • Super quick recipe.
    • Perfectly seasoned.
    • Low-carb healthy protein.
    • Tastes Delicious!
    • Frozen salmon in air fryer is low-carb and keto-friendly

    🐟 Ingredients for air fryer frozen salmon

    Ingredients for air fryer salmon on a white table with sliced lemon wedges
    • Frozen salmon fillets. I used individually frozen salmon fillets. You could also substitue other frozen fish.
    • Lemon-pepper seasoning. I used lemon-pepper seasoning, a simple seasoning that gives the salmon a ton of flavor. However, feel free to change it up and use your favorite seasoning.
    • Lemon, optional. I used fresh lemon to add some extra flavor to the salmon.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    🔪 How to cook salmon in air fryer

    This air fryer salmon from frozen recipe has got to be the easiest dinner recipe ever. This salmon is ready in just 16 minutes, and no olive oil is required.

    Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer, skin side down.

    Frozen air fryer salmon in air fryer basket, skin side down

    Step 2: Sprinkle lemon-pepper seasoning over the top. Place fresh lemon slices over the top if you want some extra fresh lemon flavor. Cook frozen salmon in the air fryer for 16 minutes. You do not need to flip the salmon during the cooking time. The thickness of the salmon will determine the amount of time to cook. My salmon fillets were about 1-inch in thickness, and the salmon was fully cooked in 16 minutes. Set the timer for less time than you think, just in case. You do not want your salmon to be overcooked.

    Frozen salmon fillets in air fryer basket with a sprinkle of lemon-pepper seasoning on them and a lemon slice on each fillet

    Step 3: Ensure the salmon is fully cooked when the timer is up on the air fryer. It should flake easily with a fork. Remove from the air fryer with tongs. Serve with a salad or rice. I love to serve my air fryer salmon fillets with broccoli and carrots for a healthy dinner.

    Tip: Make sure to leave enough space for air to move around the salmon fillets.

    Air fried salmon fillets with a slice of lemon, in the air fryer basket
    Cooked salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, lemon wedges removed

    ❓ I don't have an air fryer, can I use the oven?

    Yes! If you do not have an air fryer, you can quickly cook this recipe in the oven; it just takes a little longer. Follow all of the instructions for frozen salmon precisely the same. Place parchment paper on a baking pan (for easy cleanup), place salmon skin side down and bake at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes or so. Remember that the thickness of the salmon fillets will alter the cooking time, and ovens cook differently. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

    📖 Substitutions

    Substitute the salmon ingredients to include your favorites:

    • Salmon - I used frozen salmon with skin, but you could also use frozen skinless salmon in air fryer. This recipe will also work well with other types of fish. You could also use fresh salmon, but reduce the cooking time by about 5 minutes or so. Follow the air fryer instructions for fresh salmon here.
    • Lemon-pepper seasoning - Instead of lemon pepper seasoning, use your favorite seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are great substitutes.
    • Lemon - Instead of fresh lemon, use fresh limes.

    💡 Variations for frozen salmon air fryer

    This frozen salmon in the air fryer recipe is so easy to switch up ingredients to suit specific tastes. Try some of the following ideas:

    • Spicy - Use diced jalapeno peppers or cayenne pepper for a bit of a spicy salmon.
    • Honey - Brush honey and garlic on the salmon after it is cooked for honey garlic salmon in the air fryer
    • Teriyaki - Brush teriyaki sauce on the salmon after it is cooked. Get the recipe here.
    Air fried salmon fillets, placed on a white serving platter with lemon wedges around it and a plate of broccoli in the background

    🍽 Equipment

    To make air fryer salmon, you need an air fryer. The one I use is the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer. It was very reasonably priced and has a large basket so I can quickly cook for my family.

    I recently bought a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer with dual baskets.

    🌡️ Storage

    If stored correctly in an airtight container, cooked air fryer salmon will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.

    After that, you can eat it cold on a green salad (my favorite) or place it in an oven-safe baking dish with 2 tablespoon of water, cover with foil, and reheat at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes or so. Cooking it at a lower heat will help to prevent it from drying out. Also, you can use the reheat setting on your air fryer if it has it. It will only take about 5 minutes to be heated through.

    You can also freeze cooked salmon in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 2 months.

    💭 Top tips

    The preparation of cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer is relatively simple. All you need to do is place the salmon in the air fryer, set the timer for 16 minutes, and start cooking. These tips will ensure your salmon comes out perfectly.

    • Preheat the air fryer before placing the salmon in it.
    • For best results, use salmon fillets that have the skin on. The skin keeps the oils and nutrients in the salmon so it does not dry out and the meat will stay juicy.
    • No extra oil is required to air fry the salmon.
    • Leave a bit of space between the fish fillets so air can pass around them for even cooking.
    • Do not overcrowd the basket.
    • Cook salmon for 16 minutes, but start checking a few minutes before the timer is up to make sure it does not overcook.
    • You can use a temperature probe to check to see if the salmon is fully cooked. When it reaches 145 degrees F, it is fully cooked.
    Air fried salmon fillets on a white plate with lemon wedges on the table beside it and a plate of broccoli behind it

    ⭐ Recipe FAQs

    Do you have to flip salmon on the air fryer?

    No, you do not need to flip salmon in an air fryer. Instead, place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer. If you flip it, the salmon would stick to the air fryer and fall apart.

    How do you know when frozen air fryer salmon is done?

    When salmon is fully cooked, it will flake easily with a fork. You can use a temperature probe to check to see if the salmon is fully cooked. When it reaches 145 degrees F, it is done.

    Do you eat the skin on salmon?

    Salmon skin contains the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids on the fish. There's strong evidence that these fatty acids can reduce triglyceride levels and decrease your chances of heart disease. Whether you choose to eat it or not is up to personal preference. I prefer to remove the skin from my salmon. 🙂

    How do I preheat my air fryer?

    If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, set the temperature you will be cooking your food, and let it heat up for 3-5 minutes before adding the food to the air fryer basket.

    Can you cook salmon from frozen?

    Yes! It is very easy to cook salmon in an air fryer. Place frozen salmon fillets in a preheated air fryer, and cook for about 16 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

    👪 Health benefits of salmon

    As you probably know, salmon is extremely healthy. A serving of salmon, 3 to 4 ounces, is about 200 calories. It's very low in saturated fat, a good source of protein, and one of the best sources of vitamin B12. It's also bursting in potassium and other nutrients like iron and vitamin D. Vitamin B12 keeps blood and nerve cells humming along.

    Most importantly, salmon contains a wealth of omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3s are "essential" fatty acids. Your body can't make them, but they play critical roles in your body. For example, they can lower the chance that you'll have cardiovascular disease (including heart attack and stroke), some types of cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. They can also ease the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

    Experts recommend that all adults eat at least two portions (a total of 8 ounces) of seafood a week, especially fish high in omega-3s, like salmon. We are also supposed to avoid fish that contains a lot of mercury, and fortunately, salmon is not one of them.

    🥗 Side dishes for teriyaki salmon

    • Instant Pot Rice
    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Smoked Corn on the Cob
    • Air Fryer Carrots
    • Delicious green salad
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
    • Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
    • Oven-Roasted Potatoes

    🍣 More Seafood Dinner Recipes

    • Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill
    • Maple Glazed Salmon
    • Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)
    • Fresh Spring Rolls with Hoisin Peanut Sauce

    Air-fried salmon is a simple weeknight dinner that is both flavorful and easy to prepare. So when you need an easy, quick, and delicious dinner, give this recipe a try!

    If you've tried Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer or any other recipe, please take a moment to leave a star rating and/or comment on the recipe card below.

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

    📋 Recipe

    Four pieces of air fryer salmon on a white plate, with a plae of broccoli in the background and sliced lemon beside it.

    Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer - Low-Carb, Healthy & Gluten-Free

    This frozen salmon in the air fryer is lightly crispy on the outside and tender and flaky inside. It is an easy, low-carb dish, full of flavor, and has virtually no prep, so it's great when you don't have much time to cook but still want something delicious, perfect for busy weeknights!
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 237kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 4 Salmon fillets  5-6 oz. fillets
    • 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
    • 1 lemon, sliced optional

    Instructions

    • Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer, skin side down.
    • Step 2: Sprinkle lemon-pepper seasoning evenly over the top. Place fresh lemon slices over the top if you want some extra fresh lemon flavor. Set the timer on the air fryer for 16 minutes. You do not need to flip the salmon during the cooking time. The thickness of the salmon will determine the amount of time to cook. My salmon fillets were about 1-inch in thickness, and the salmon was fully cooked in 16 minutes. Set the timer for less time than you think, just in case. You do not want your salmon to be overcooked.
    • Step 3: Ensure the salmon is fully cooked when the timer is up on the air fryer. It should flake easily with a fork. Remove from the air fryer with tongs. I like to serve my salmon with broccoli and carrots for a healthy dinner.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    Storage:
    If stored correctly in an airtight container, cooked salmon will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
    After that, you can eat it cold on a green salad (my favorite) or place it in an oven-safe baking dish with 2 tablespoon of water, cover with foil, and reheat at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes or so. Cooking it at a lower heat will help to prevent it from drying out. Also, you can use the reheat setting on your air fryer if it has it. It will only take about 5 minutes to be heated through.
    You can also freeze cooked salmon in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 2 months.
    Top tips:
    The preparation of cooking frozen salmon in the air fryer is relatively simple. All you need to do is place the salmon in the air fryer, set the timer for 16 minutes, and start cooking. These tips will ensure your salmon comes out perfectly.
    • Preheat the air fryer before placing the salmon in it.
    • For best results, use salmon fillets that have the skin on. The skin keeps the oils and nutrients in the salmon so it does not dry out and the meat will stay juicy.
    • No extra oil is required to air fry the salmon.
    • Leave a bit of space between the fish fillets so air can pass around them for even cooking.
    • Do not overcrowd the basket.
    • You can use a temperature probe to check to see if the salmon is fully cooked. When it reaches 145 degrees F, it is fully cooked.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 34.6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 690mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

    🧯 Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 145 °F
    • Do not use the same dishes or utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. imsen

      February 08, 2022 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      Great food with less effort…just how cooking should be! Absolutely loved this recipe and will definitely be making again! Also really loved the aluminum foil tip.

      Reply
      • Jeri

        February 08, 2022 at 11:09 am

        I'm so glad you liked this recipe! Thanks for commenting! 🙂

        Reply
        • James.alston

          March 02, 2022 at 1:37 pm

          My wife does not know lemon pepper getting something else may substitute good thank you so much your recipe sounds great

          Reply
          • Jeri

            March 05, 2022 at 1:39 pm

            Hi James, just use your favorite seasoning and it will taste great!

            Reply
    2. nancy

      December 05, 2021 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe since I can just put in a frozen fish without defrosting!! great for last minute meals!

      Reply
    3. Andrea White

      December 04, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      in the airfryer? so awesome and convenient too!

      Reply
    4. Addie

      December 03, 2021 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      This air fryer salmon was so quick, easy and delicious! Such a great weeknight dinner.

      Reply
    5. Jeannie

      December 03, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      Healthier than regular frying and I like the crispy finish too

      Reply
    6. Jessica

      December 02, 2021 at 8:29 am

      We typically only eat salmon in the summer when we can grill it and not freeze to death but that's just too long to go without it. I recently purchased an air fryer and am definitely going to be trying this out.

      Reply
    7. Kristina

      December 02, 2021 at 5:07 am

      5 stars
      This is a great way to make salmon when you forget to prepare a dinner, or need something last minute. Fish is so easy when it's air fried, and I enjoyed this salmon.

      Reply
    8. Oscar

      December 01, 2021 at 7:21 pm

      5 stars
      I would have never have thought to make salmon in the air fryer. They turned out perfect and I loved the added lemon pepper. I will always use the air fryer for salmon from now on. Thank you.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jeri!

    I'm a passionate home cook who loves creating easy and delicious recipes for busy families! My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

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