This salmon steak air fryer recipe is simple, but the salt and sugar preparation makes a noticeable difference to the outside of the fish. It draws out some of the surface moisture before cooking, helping the salmon develop a better crust while the middle stays tender and juicy.
Once the salmon has rested for 30 minutes, the actual cooking only takes 8 minutes; see the full instructions below. If you enjoy cooking fish this way, try Air Fryer Halibut next. Keep reading to see how the quick salt and sugar preparation helps give the salmon that crisp outside without needing lots of oil.
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Video Tutorial
Try This Salmon Steak Air Fryer
I like salmon in air fryer recipes when I want to keep the seasoning fairly simple and let the fish do most of the work. Here, the salmon is finished with fresh dill, parsley, and lemon, so you get plenty of fresh flavor without covering up the salmon itself.
This easy air fryer salmon recipe also has a really nice contrast in texture. The outside gets a slight crust while the center stays tender, and there’s no complicated marinade or long ingredient list to deal with.
Why You’ll Love It
- Simple ingredients: Salmon, salt, sugar, lemon, and fresh herbs are all you need.
- Quick cooking: The salmon steaks only need 8 minutes in the air fryer, making this a great family dinner with vegetables for busy days.
- Crisp outside: The salt and sugar help draw excess moisture from the surface before cooking.
- Plenty of protein and nutrition: Each serving contains 50 grams of protein.
Ingredients
- Salmon steaks: I like salmon steaks here because their thicker shape holds up well in the air fryer. Two steaks weighing about 500 grams altogether are enough for two servings.
- Salt: The salt does more than season the salmon; no need for pepper. Leaving it on the steaks for 30 minutes with the sugar draws moisture from the surface, which helps with the crust later.
- Sugar: I wouldn’t skip the sugar in this one. It’s mixed evenly with the salt before going onto the fish and is rinsed off before the salmon goes into the air fryer.
- Fresh dill and parsley: I like adding these right at the end rather than cooking them with the fish. They give the finished salmon a fresh herby flavor that works especially well with the lemon.
How to Make Salmon Steak Air Fryer Style
1. Place the salmon steaks on a plate or in a container. There is no need to remove the salmon skin. In a small bowl, mix salt and sugar in a 1:1 ratio and evenly sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the salmon steaks. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes.
2. The salt and sugar will draw out excess moisture from the surface of the fish, resulting in a better crust during cooking. It will also enhance the flavor.
3. After 30 minutes, rinse the salmon steaks with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels, making sure you dry the skin side, too.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
5. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. There is no need to spray with olive oil. Remember that the air fryer basket can become very hot, so be careful.
6. Optionally, after 4 minutes, you can flip the salmon steaks to the other side. This will help maintain the integrity of the salmon steak.
7. Once the salmon steak is ready, transfer it to a serving plate. Add a few lemon wedges, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Give the salt and sugar the full 30 minutes to draw moisture from the surface of the salmon.
- Rinse the steaks after resting and pat them thoroughly dry before air frying.
- Preheat the air fryer so the salmon starts cooking as soon as it goes into the basket.
- Leave enough room around each steak for the hot air to circulate.
- Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of the salmon steaks and your particular air fryer.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Roasted asparagus or zucchini
- Herb-roasted potatoes
- Fresh green salad
- Veggies
- Quinoa or brown rice
FAQs
A salmon steak is cut crosswise through the fish and typically contains part of the backbone, giving it its recognizable round or horseshoe shape. A fillet is cut lengthwise along the side of the fish and generally doesn’t contain the large backbone. Steaks can also contain pin and rib bones, so take a little more care when eating them.
Yes, salmon can be cooked from frozen in an air fryer, although thawing it first makes seasoning easier and reduces the cooking time. When cooking from frozen, expect it to need longer than fresh or fully thawed salmon.
No, you can leave the skin on. Cooking salmon with the skin attached can actually help protect the flesh from drying out. If you have a skin-on piece where the skin can sit flat against the basket, cooking it skin-side down also helps the skin crisp.
Recipe
Salmon Steak Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Plate or container for marinating
- Paper towels
- Parchment paper for the air fryer
- Tongs and spatula
- Serving plate
Ingredients
- 500 grams salmon steaks (2 pieces)
- 2 teaspoon salt (for marinade and seasoning)
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- lemon wedges (for garnish)
- fresh dill and parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the salmon steaks on a plate or in a container. Mix salt and sugar in a 1:1 ratio and evenly sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the salmon steaks.
- Let them sit for at least 30 minutes. The salt and sugar will draw out excess moisture from the surface of the fish, resulting in a better crust during cooking. It will also enhance the flavor.
- After 30 minutes, rinse the salmon steaks with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Place the steaks in the basket and cook for 8 minutes. Remember that the air fryer basket can become very hot, so be careful.
- Optionally, after 4 minutes, you can flip the salmon steaks to the other side. This will help maintain the integrity of the salmon steak.
- Once the salmon steak is ready, transfer it to a serving plate. Add a few lemon wedges and sprinkle with fresh herbs.
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cook the salmon steaks for 8 minutes.Taste & Texture
Tender and juicy inside with a lightly crisp exterior, finished with fresh herbs and lemon.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store cooled salmon steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Thaw frozen salmon overnight in the refrigerator, then air fry at 300°F for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
Serving Recommendations
- I like serving this with roasted asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts when I want plenty of vegetables alongside it.
- For something more filling, add herb-roasted potatoes, quinoa, or brown rice.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add Cajun seasoning for a spicier version.
- Brush the salmon with teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory variation.
- Use a honey and Dijon mustard glaze.
- Add a crust made with fresh dill, parsley, thyme, and breadcrumbs.
Proper Storage Tips
- Let the salmon cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individually wrapped portions for up to 3 months.
Pro Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the salmon.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket so air can circulate around each steak.
- Keep the thickness of the salmon steaks in mind because thicker pieces may affect the cooking time.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving.
Video
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