This Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon is a quick, healthy, and delicious recipe that's has bold savory-sweet flavors. With a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce that’s rich with garlic and ginger, this salmon recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. The air fryer creates crispy edges on the salmon while keeping the inside juicy and tender, and the dish is finished with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and scallions for a burst of freshness.
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This Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon is a perfect balance of savory and sweet, with tender salmon fillets cooked to perfection in just 8 minutes.
The air fryer creates crispy edges on the salmon while keeping the inside juicy and tender, and the dish is finished with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and scallions for a burst of freshness.
Serve it over rice or with your favorite vegetables for a quick and healthy meal that the whole family will love.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy: Air frying cuts down on the need for extra oil, while the salmon is packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Bold flavors: The homemade teriyaki sauce is rich with garlic, ginger, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Minimal cleanup: Cooking the salmon in the air fryer means less mess, and you can even marinate the fish in a resealable bag for easy preparation.
Ingredients
Salmon fillets: Look for fresh or frozen salmon fillets that are bright in color and firm to the touch. For best results, use wild-caught salmon, which has a richer flavor and a firmer texture than farmed salmon.
Soy sauce: This is the base of the teriyaki sauce. Choose a good-quality soy sauce for a deep, umami flavor. Low-sodium soy sauce works well if you want to control the saltiness.
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory soy sauce and garlic. You can also use maple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent, savory note to the sauce. Don’t skip this – the freshness makes a huge difference.
Ginger: Fresh ginger adds warmth and a slight peppery heat. Grate it finely to release all its natural oils and flavors.
Brown sugar: Adds a deeper sweetness and helps to caramelize the sauce, giving it a glossy finish. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute with white sugar or coconut sugar.
Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce, making it stick to the salmon. Be sure to mix it with cold water before adding it to avoid lumps.
Sesame seeds and scallions: Optional garnishes that add a nice crunch and a pop of freshness.
See recipe card for quantities.
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.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has fully dissolved and the sauce begins to simmer.
Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining cold water to make a slurry. Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering sauce, whisking continuously to avoid clumps.
Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and takes on a glossy appearance. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Marinate the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag.
Pour the cooled teriyaki sauce over the salmon, ensuring that each fillet is evenly coated.
Let the salmon marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour if you have the time.
Air Fry the Salmon: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, carefully place the marinated teriyaki salmon fillets into the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not overcrowded for even cooking.
Air fry the salmon for 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon is flaky and cooked through. For a glossy, caramelized finish, brush a little extra teriyaki sauce over the fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer and transfer to serving plates. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a touch of flavor and crunch. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or with your favorite vegetables.
Hint: If you want extra crispy skin on your salmon, make sure to pat the fillets dry with paper towels before marinating them. Moisture can prevent the skin from getting that crispy texture in the air fryer. Additionally, for even more caramelization, you can broil the salmon for 1-2 minutes after air frying to give the teriyaki sauce a nice glaze.
Substitutions
Salmon substitutes: If you can’t find salmon, you can use other types of fish like cod, halibut, or even tilapia. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as these fish may cook faster or slower depending on their thickness.
Soy sauce alternatives: If you’re out of soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos are great substitutes that will still give you that rich umami flavor.
Sweeteners: You can swap out the honey for maple syrup, agave syrup, or even brown sugar if you prefer a different type of sweetness.
Variations
Want to try some variations on this air fryer salmon recipe? Here are some of our favorite ideas.
- Spicy Teriyaki Salmon: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce for a kick of heat.
- Lemon Teriyaki Salmon: Add a splash of lemon juice to the sauce for a fresh citrus twist that complements the rich salmon flavor.
- Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon: Skip the honey and brown sugar for a more savory sauce that’s heavy on the soy and ginger flavors.
Storage
Fridge: Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to cool the salmon completely before storing to prevent sogginess.
Freezer: If you want to store the salmon longer, place it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, place the salmon in a preheated 350°F oven or air fryer for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to overcook, as this can dry out the salmon.
Top tip
Keep an eye on the cooking time: Salmon cooks quickly in the air fryer, so start checking for doneness at the 10-minute mark to avoid overcooking. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.
FAQ
Yes! Just be sure to thaw it completely before marinating. Thawing helps the salmon absorb the marinade better and ensures even cooking.
Marinate the salmon for at least 15 minutes, but for deeper flavor, you can marinate it for up to an hour. Avoid marinating for too long, as the fish can become mushy.
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. If you’re using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F in the thickest part.
Yes, tamari is a great substitute for soy sauce, especially if you’re looking for a gluten-free option. It will still provide that rich umami flavor.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for other air fryer recipes? Try these:
Recipe
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 lb 4 pieces salmon fillets
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 scallion thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, ¾ of the water, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Mix cornstarch with remaining water, then stir it into the sauce until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Place salmon in a dish or resealable bag. Pour cooled teriyaki sauce over the salmon. Marinate in fridge for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place salmon in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, brushing with extra sauce in the last 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve hot with rice or veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this air fryer teriyaki salmon as much as we do!
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