This easy air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe delivers a delicious dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The air fryer ensures a healthy meal with minimal fuss, locking in flavors and cooking the salmon to perfection. My best part is the quick homemade teriyaki sauce which you can customize to your taste.
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Why Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Recipe?
Cooking salmon in the air fryer is the easiest way to achieve a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste. The quick cooking time and simple homemade teriyaki sauce make this a simple recipe with a great addition to your easy air fryer dinner ideas.
PRO TIPS for the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
- Ensure your salmon fillets are at room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
- Use parchment paper in your air fryer basket to prevent sticking and achieve a clean lift.
- Basting the salmon with extra teriyaki sauce in the final minutes enhances flavor and creates a delicious glaze.
- For air fryer teriyaki salmon bites, cut the fillets into bites and reduce the cooking time by 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- Fresh salmon Fillets: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, providing a solid foundation for a nutritious meal.
- Soy Sauce & Water: Forms the base of the teriyaki marinade, balancing saltiness and dilution for perfect seasoning. For less salt, use Low Sodium Soy Sauce.
- Garlic & Ginger: Adds a pungent, spicy undertone that complements the fatty richness of salmon.
- Honey & Brown Sugar: Offers sweetness to counterbalance the savory elements, promoting caramelization. You can substitute with Greek Yogurt for a tangier, lower-sugar option.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a glossy, coat-worthy consistency that clings beautifully to the salmon.
- Sesame Seeds & Green Onions: Provide a crunchy, fresh contrast to the dish’s main flavors.
- black pepper: For extra spice.
How to cook air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, most of the water, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Mix cornstarch with the remaining water to form a slurry. Stir into the saucepan, whisking until the sauce thickens to a glossy finish, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Marinate the Salmon:
- In an bowl, lay the salmon fillets and cover with the teriyaki sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover the container with a cling film or its cover. Refrigerate to marinate for 15 minutes to an hour.
Air Fry the Salmon:
- Remove salmon from marinade and place with the salmon skin side next to the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper.
- Cook at medium heat for 12 minutes or until the internal temperature indicates doneness. For a caramelized top, with a basting brush, brush with teriyaki sauce in the last 2-3 minutes.
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle cooked salmon with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over white or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition This dish is high in protein and essential fatty acids, with a balance of sweet and savory flavors that enhance the salmon’s natural taste.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently to maintain moisture. You can keep the sauce separately and simply apply teriyaki glaze when reheating the flaky salmon.
To store leftover teriyaki sauce – Preserve the bottled teriyaki sauce in the refrigerator and use within 3 – 4 days.
Alternative Cooking Methods
While baking or grilling are common methods for cooking salmon filets, air frying offers a quick and efficient method with less oil and more flavor retention, making it superior for this type of recipe making this a delicious weeknight meal.
Serving Suggestions
I enjoy my air fry teriyaki salmon with asparagus and white rice. Serve your air fryer teriyaki salmon with steamed green beans, rice bowls, or alongside a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
This recipe promises a quick weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and nutritious, making it a perfect dish for any salmon lover’s repertoire.
Easy Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb 4 pieces salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger grated
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 scallion thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, ¾ of the water, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and starts to thicken.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining cold water to create a slurry.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens to a glossy consistency. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the teriyaki sauce from heat and set it aside to cool.
- Marinate the Salmon:
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce over the salmon. Make sure the salmon is well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to allow the salmon to marinate.
- Air Fry the Salmon:
- Remove the marinated salmon from the refrigerator and place it in an air fryer safe dish.
- Air fry the salmon for about 12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. The salmon should be flaky and cooked through.
- If you like your salmon with a caramelized glaze, brush the reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Once the salmon is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions on top of the salmon for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve your air fryer teriyaki salmon hot over a bed of steamed rice or with your favorite side dishes.
FAQs about air fryer salmon teriyaki recipe
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, ensure it’s fully thawed and patted dry with paper towels before marinating.
Is it necessary to marinate?
While not mandatory, marinating enhances depth and richness of flavor. I have always love the tastes of marinated salmon.
Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce?
Absolutely, you can save time by using sote bought sauce. However, homemade sauce is easy to customize according to your personal preference.
How to know when your salmon is cooked
The desired internal temperature for a salmon steak to be considered fully cooked and safe to eat is 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, the salmon should be opaque and separate easily with a fork. Cooking salmon to this internal temperature ensures it is both safe and retains its moisture and flavor. You a instant read thermometer for the temperature check.
Have a look at the collection of air-fryer recipes on the blog.
Air-fried whole Chicken
Air fryer Doughnut recipe
Air fryer Salmon steak and bites
About the Author
I am Seun, and I love to share my first-hand experience using multiple air fryers. Stick around for yummy delicacies made from the air fryer and many amazing tips on using your newfound Kitchen appliance – the air fryer!
