This air fryer frozen salmon is one of my favorite quick dinners when I forgot to thaw anything… which happens more often than I want to admit. You can cook the salmon straight from frozen, season it after the first few minutes, and still end up with juicy, flaky salmon that feels like you planned ahead.
Come join me on Facebook here for easy recipes, cozy bakes, and little kitchen tips from my kitchen to yours.
Watch my air fryer frozen salmon video below if you want to see exactly how I make it. And if you find it helpful, give it a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.
Why you will love this air fryer frozen salmon recipe
This recipe is perfect when you need a fast lunch or dinner, and the salmon is still frozen solid. No thawing, no waiting around, and no complicated prep. Just frozen salmon, a simple seasoning mix, and the air fryer.
Let’s be honest… frozen salmon does not always sound exciting, but this method makes it easy. The salmon cooks first for a few minutes, then you brush on the seasoning once the outside has warmed up enough for the oil and spices to stay on.
Texture and flavor
This salmon comes out juicy and flaky, which is honestly the best part. I probably like it even more cooked from frozen because somehow it cooks through without drying out as quickly.
The seasoning is simple, but it works. You get a little garlic, a little paprika, and a little oregano, without hiding the flavor of the salmon. Then the lemon at the end makes everything taste fresher.
Note: Salmon can be cooked from frozen as long as it reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F, or 63°C, in the thickest part.
Air fryer frozen salmon ingredients
For this version, I am making two pieces of frozen salmon.
- 2 frozen salmon pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 lemon, optional
Note: If your salmon pieces are much smaller, you may not need every bit of the seasoning mixture. If they are larger, use it all.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush or basting brush
- Meat thermometer
- Plate for serving
How to cook frozen salmon in the air fryer
Step 1: Start with your frozen salmon. I like to keep salmon wrapped in individual portions in the freezer, so when I need a quick lunch or dinner, I can grab what I need and cook it right away. Mine has the skin on, which is totally fine for the air fryer. If you do not want to eat the skin, it is much easier to remove it after the salmon is cooked.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, or 190°C, for 5 minutes. You do not have to preheat it, but preheating makes the cook time more accurate. If you skip it, the salmon may need an extra minute or two, so for this recipe, preheat it first.
Step 3: Place the frozen salmon in the air fryer basket with the skin side down. Cook it at 375°F, or 190°C, for 7 minutes.
Step 4: While the salmon starts cooking, make the seasoning. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a small bowl. Add ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir until the spices are mixed into the oil.
Step 5: After 7 minutes, open the air fryer and brush the seasoning over the salmon. Use all of the seasoning mixture between the two pieces. Because salmon is delicate, I am not going to flip it over since it can break easily. You can use any seasoning you like, but I like to keep it simple because salmon does not need much to taste good. This way, you still taste the salmon, not just the seasoning.
Top Tip: Brush the seasoning on after the first 7 minutes, not before. When the salmon is frozen solid, the seasoning does not spread as nicely.
Step 6: Close the air fryer basket and cook the salmon for another 7 minutes. If your pieces are thick, cook them a few minutes longer. The salmon is ready when the thickest part reaches 145°F, or 63°C, on a meat thermometer.
Step 7: Remove the salmon from the air fryer and place it on a plate. If you are using lemon, squeeze it over the salmon while it is still hot. I love doing this because it makes the salmon taste fresher, especially when it is cooked straight from frozen.
Related Recipe: Also, if you have some frozen chicken wings in your freezer, check out this recipe next. I’ll show you how to cook them in the air fryer straight from frozen, so they come out crispy and juicy without waiting for them to thaw.
Air fryer frozen salmon recipe
Let me show you how to make air fryer frozen salmon straight from the freezer. It comes out juicy, flaky, and so much better than you would expect for a no-thaw dinner.
2
servings5
minutes14
minutes365
kcal24
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
2 pieces (300–400 g) frozen salmon
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
½ teaspoon (0.5 g) oregano
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) garlic powder
½ teaspoon (1 g) onion powder
½ teaspoon (1–1.5 g) paprika
½ teaspoon (2.5–3 g)salt
1 optional lemon
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 5 minutes.
- Place frozen salmon in the air fryer and cook for 7 minutes.
- Mix olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- After 7 minutes, brush the seasoning on the salmon.
- Cook again for another 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Serve hot with an optional squeeze of lemon.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Skin On Salmon: If your salmon has skin, cook it with the skin on. It helps hold the salmon together, and you can remove the skin after cooking if you do not want to eat it. Similar recipes also recommend cooking frozen salmon skin side down for better texture and easier handling.
- Thicker Salmon Pieces: Thick salmon pieces may need a few extra minutes after the second cook. Check the thickest part with a meat thermometer, and cook it until it reaches 145°F, or 63°C.
- Seasoning Swaps: You can replace the oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt with about 2½ teaspoons of your favorite salmon seasoning. If your seasoning blend already has salt, use less added salt so the salmon does not come out too salty.
- No Thermometer Option: If you do not have a meat thermometer, press the thickest part gently with a fork. The salmon should flake apart and look opaque in the center, not shiny or raw.
- Frozen Salmon Size: Try to use salmon pieces that are close in size. If one piece is much thinner, check it first and remove it earlier if needed.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 2
- Calories: 365kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 34g
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not season the salmon while it is still rock hard from the freezer. Give it the first 7 minutes first.
- Do not flip the salmon if you do not need to. It can break apart easily.
- Do not guess if thick pieces are done. Use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part.
- Do not overcook it; salmon can get dry very fast. Once it reaches 145°F, or 63°C, take it out.
Easy seasoning swaps
You can keep the seasoning very simple here. If you do not want to measure each spice, you can use about 2½ teaspoons of your favorite salmon seasoning instead.
Lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic herb seasoning, or a simple seafood seasoning can all work. Just watch the salt, because some store-bought blends are already salty.
What to serve with air fryer salmon
This air fryer frozen salmon is easy to turn into a full meal. I love it with rice, roasted vegetables, a simple salad, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
If I am making lunch, I will sometimes serve it over greens with lemon squeezed on top. For dinner, rice and vegetables are always a good idea. Simple, filling, and so satisfying.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat it, warm it gently in the air fryer at 300°F, or 150°C, for a few minutes. You can also use the microwave, but heat it in short bursts so it does not dry out.
Note: Salmon is best fresh, but leftovers are great for salads, rice bowls, or quick lunches the next day.
More air fryer recipes
If you like cooking in your air fryer, check out more air fryer recipes below.
- Best Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipe – A quick and easy way to cook ground beef in the air fryer, perfect for tacos, pasta, rice bowls, and meal prep recipes.
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Recipe – This pork tenderloin comes out juicy, tender, and full of flavor with a perfectly seasoned crust made right in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast Step by Step for a Juicy Result – Learn how to make tender and juicy chicken breast in the air fryer with simple step-by-step instructions and helpful cooking tips.
And if you have a question about this air fryer frozen salmon recipe, or you try it and want to share how it turned out, leave a comment below or in the YouTube video comments. I try to respond to all of them!