How long to cook salmon in air fryer at 350

Air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, similar to a convection oven but more compact. It uses little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying. 

That is a flexible kitchen appliance that has gained reputation for its capacity to cook dinner meals speedy and with less oil than conventional frying strategies. it works by using circulating hot air across the meals, developing a crispy outer layer while preserving moisture inner. Air fryers are available in various sizes and designs, ranging from small countertop models to larger ones with more than one cooking features.

They typically have adjustable temperature settings and timers to make sure particular cooking. regardless of the selection, air fryers can do extra than definitely fry – they can also bake, roast, grill, or maybe reheat food. Many humans appreciate air fryers for their consolation and performance, as they could cook dinner an intensive variety of dishes in a incredibly short quantity of time.

Salmon at 350 degree

Salmon is one of the most popular fish to cook in an air fryer. It’s high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein but low in calories, making it a healthy dinner option. When cooked properly in an air fryer set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, salmon stays moist and flaky on the inside while developing a nice crispy exterior.

However, determining exactly how long to cook salmon in an air fryer can vary depending on thickness of the fillet and personal preference for doneness. Overcooking is easy and results in a dry, tough piece of fish. Undercooking leaves the center raw and unsafe to eat. In this article, we will explore factors that influence cook time and provide general guidelines to perfectly cook salmon fillets using an air fryer set to 350 degrees.

Types of Salmon

There are many sorts of salmon consisting of sockeye (additionally known as pink salmon), coho (silver salmon), king (Chinook) purple, and Atlantic. however, the two maximum not unusual types located in grocery stores and used for air frying are sockeye salmon and Atlantic salmon.Size and thickness of the fillet will impact cook time more than the specific type. In general:

• Sockeye (red) salmon fillets tend to be slightly thinner than Atlantic salmon fillets.
• King salmon steaks are thicker than fillets and take longer to cook through.
• Smaller portions of salmon cut into fillet-sized pieces will cook faster than larger whole fillets.

It’s a good idea to check labels or ask the fishmonger for an estimate of the fillet thickness to guide your expected cook time. As a general rule, thinner cuts between 1/2 to 3/4 inch will take 10-12 minutes while thicker cuts up to 1-1/2 inches may require 15 minutes or more.

Read More: How to Cook Amazing Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

Preparing Salmon for the Air Fryer

Proper preparation is important for moist, flaky salmon. Before adding to the air fryer basket:

• Pat fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Damp fish will not crisp up as well.
• Brush or rub oil lightly over the top and sides of each fillet. This helps create a crispy exterior. Good options include olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil spray.
• Season generously with salt and pepper. Fresh or dried herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme also complement salmon beautifully.
• For thicker pieces, gently score the skin side without cutting through to let heat and seasoning penetrate deeper.

No need to marinate unless you want extra flavor – a light dusting of spices is all that’s needed. Arrange fillets in a single layer, skin side down if using skin-on salmon. Crowding leads to uneven cooking.

How Long to Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer at 350 Degrees

Once salmon is seasoned and arranged with space between pieces in the air fryer basket, set the temperature to 350°F:

• For thin fillets around 1/2 inch thick, cook 12-14 minutes.
• For fillets between 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, cook 12-15 minutes.
• For fillets closer to 1 inch thick, cook 14-16 minutes.
• For fillets 1-1 1/2 inches thick or thicker steaks, cook 16-18 minutes.

The timing guidelines above should yield salmon that is flaky and moist inside with a crispy golden brown exterior. However, it’s a good idea to check doneness at the lower end of the estimated cook times:

• Gently flake the fish with a fork – it should break into clean, moist flakes.
• For thicker pieces, insert an instant-read thermometer through the side. Salmon is done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• If it still appears translucent or wet inside, continue cooking in 2-minute increments until fully opaque and flakes easily.

Overcooking just a few extra minutes can ruin a beautiful piece of salmon, so don’t hesitate to check occasionally during the last few minutes of estimated cook time. Once fully cooked, the fillets can be enjoyed hot off the air fryer rack.

Tips for Perfect Salmon Every Time

While the air fryer makes salmon easy to prepare, there are additional tips for achieving perfect results each time:

• Brush a light coating of oil or non-stick spray inside the air fryer basket before adding salmon to prevent sticking.
• Cook salmon skin side up for crispy skin if using fillets with the skin on. The skin helps hold its shape during cooking.
• Rotate the basket halfway through cooking for more even browning if your model doesn’t automatically rotate.
• Resist the urge to shake or flip fillets too frequently, which can lead to breakage. Gently flipping once halfway through is sufficient.
• Cook salmon in batches if too crowded or layer pieces slightly overlap if they fit in a single layer. 
• Drizzle cooked salmon fillets with lemon juice or flavored butter like dill butter for extra moisture and taste.

Read More on airfryersee

FAQs

Can I cook multiple pieces at once?

Yes, but don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space between fillets and cook in batches if they don’t fit in a single layer without touching.

How can I keep salmon moist?

Brushing salmon with oil before cooking creates a moisture barrier. Drizzle with fresh lemon or flavored butter after for added moisture and taste.

Does it matter if I cook skin-on or skinless salmon?

Cooking skin side up allows the skin to become crispy if cooking fillets with skin on. Skinless fillets can be cooked either way but may flake apart more if flipped.

What seasonings can I use besides just salt and pepper?

Fresh or dried herbs like dill and thyme pair nicely with salmon. You can also use lemon pepper, cajun seasoning, garlic powder or any blend you enjoy just don’t over-season.

Can I cook more than one piece of salmon at a time in my air fryer?

You can cook multiple pieces of salmon at once, but don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space in between fillets so hot air can circulate freely.

Conclusion

With a little practice, cooking moist and flaky salmon is simple in an air fryer. Adjust cooking times based on thickness. Check doneness earlier rather than later to prevent overcooking. Brush salmon with oil, season lightly, and follow the guidelines presented here for perfect results each time. 

With some practice, you’ll be an expert at cooking salmon to moist and flaky perfection right in your air fryer. The key is adjusting cook times based on thickness, checking doneness early, brushing with oil for moisture and following these basic guidelines. Soon you’ll be enjoying healthy, quick and easy air fried salmon any night of the week.