Salmon is the perfect fish to cook at home. It's affordable, it holds onto flavor, and it's fairly easy to cook. You can bake it in the oven, cook it on the stovetop, or throw it on the grill. And to make the process even easier, you can air fry your salmon as well!
Air-frying salmon gives it a deliciously crispy exterior without having to use heavy batters or deep frying it in a ton of oil. Instead, you can lightly season the salmon fillets and still get a flavorful result.
This detailed guide guarantees you'll achieve impeccably moist and flavorful salmon directly from your air fryer," assures Nirschel. "The recipe is infused with fragrant herbs, zesty lemon, and a hint of garlic, and I can guarantee it will delight everyone.
1) Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, gather your supplies and ingredients. You'll need an air fryer, and you can use any brand that you prefer. The size of the air fryer should match the number of salmon you want to cook at once. Chef Chris Nirschel recommends the Fritaire Air Fryer.
For Chef Nirschel's air fryer salmon recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons of dried dill
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of 1.5 lemons
- Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish.
2) Prepare the Salmon and Create a Flavorful Marinade
Now that you have gathered all your ingredients, it's time to prepare the salmon and the olive oil marinade.
1) Begin by patting dry the 4 salmon fillets. This step ensures that the fillets are ready to absorb the delicious flavors.
In a bowl, combine the following ingredients to create the olive oil marinade:
- 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of finely minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons of dried dill
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
2) Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined. This flavorful marinade will enhance the taste of your salmon.
Your salmon is now prepped, and the marinade is ready to add a burst of flavor.
3) Marinate the Salmon
After brushing the flavor blend generously over both sides of the salmon fillets, allow them to marinate for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors absorb. Then, grate the zest of one lemon over the fillets and squeeze the juice of one and a half lemons for a bright and refreshing citrus flavor.
4) Air Fry your Salmon
You're on your way to preparing some delicious salmon, and now it's time to cook it!
1) Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately five minutes. This ensures the perfect balance between a crispy exterior and a moist interior, according to Chef Nirschel.
2) Lightly grease the air fryer basket and arrange the marinated salmon fillets, ensuring even cooking.
3) Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and cook for 12 minutes.
4) For the best results, flip the fillets halfway through the cooking time to achieve a golden perfection on both sides, as recommended by Nirschel.
5) Garnish and Enjoy
Now comes the most delightful part of the process—indulging in your meal. "As the delightful aroma fills the kitchen, take the salmon out of the air fryer and add a touch of elegance and depth of flavor by garnishing it with freshly chopped dill," advises Nirschel.
When it's time to serve, Nirschel prefers to plate the salmon with a slice of lemon and accompany it with sides such as a bed of quinoa or a medley of roasted vegetables. Enjoy your delicious air fryer salmon!