There are many ways to cook salmon, but using an air fryer is a quick and easy option.
Salmon is a swift, simple, and nutritious supper choice. There are numerous methods to prepare this fish, from baking and grilling to pan-searing, but the air fryer is an excellent option, particularly if you’re making four servings or fewer.
However, the concern with cooking salmon in an air fryer is that it might become overcooked. To avoid this as much as possible and enhance the flavour and texture, Emily, a cooking enthusiast from the food blog Nerds with Knives, suggests using a “secret ingredient” in her recipe.
She revealed: “We have a secret ingredient that makes these air fryer salmon bites the most delicious and healthy dinner you can make in about 15 minutes. Seasoned with soy, honey and chilli flakes, the salmon comes out tender, buttery and golden brown.”
With the salmon taking just five minutes to cook in the air fryer, Emily admitted she hadn’t even finished chopping up some cucumbers to accompany them, and the fish was already done.
The chef disclosed that the “secret to making the best air fryer salmon” is to use mayonnaise. Instead of oil, she advises smearing the salmon pieces with a teaspoon or two of mayonnaise.
Emily elaborated: “Mayo, with its oil and egg emulsion, is beneficial in several ways: it acts as a non-stick coating, a marinade, and a binder, while also helping the salmon retain moisture and develop a golden-brown crust. And a little goes a long way.”
She highlighted that she favours using Japanese-style mayonnaise (such as KEWPIE), which is “thicker and richer” than standard mayonnaise. Nevertheless, you can simply use whatever you have in your fridge.
Alongside mayonnaise, flavour the salmon with soy sauce, honey, garlic powder and chilli flakes, reports the Express.
A teaspoon of cornflour also helps the seasonings stick and assists in creating the crust (though it’s absolutely fine to omit it). The honey provides a touch of sweetness and helps the salmon caramelise very rapidly.
Ingredients (serves four)
- 455g of salmon, skinless and cut into one-and-a-half inch chunks
- Two teaspoons of mayonnaise
- One tablespoon of soy sauce
- Two teaspoons of honey
- Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
- One to two teaspoons of chilli powder
- One teaspoon of cornstarch
Method
Begin by heating your air fryer to 190 degrees before starting to pat your salmon dry.
Once patted dry with a kitchen towel, place the salmon in a medium bowl and combine with mayonnaise, cornflour, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder and chilli powder. Ensure each piece is covered in the seasonings.
Place the salmon in a single layer and air fry until just cooked through, approximately four to six minutes. There’s no need to turn over.
If you’d rather not use an air fryer, heat your oven to 220C/200C Fan/ Gas Mark 7. Position salmon on a parchment-lined baking tray, with a little gap between each piece.
Cook for roughly seven to eight minutes, turning halfway through.
Alternatively, you can warm a little vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan on medium-high heat. When heated, add salmon and cook until golden brown and medium-rare, flipping once, approximately two to three minutes per side.