Easy Air-Fried Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
This Air-Fried Teriyaki Salmon recipe combines the rich, savory flavors of homemade teriyaki sauce with the convenience of air-frying, resulting in tender and flaky and perfectly cooked salmon fillets.
The homemade teriyaki sauce is made with simple ingredients: soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and brown sugar, and it provides a balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Marinating the salmon in this sauce ensures that every bite is infused with deliciousness. Using an air fryer speeds up the cooking process and ensures that the salmon is cooked to perfection with minimal effort. The result is a beautifully glazed, tender, and flavorful salmon that pairs wonderfully with various sides.
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filets (4 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water + 2 tablespoons water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced (for garnish)
If you have frozen salmon, please thaw it completely before using it for best results. The best way to thaw salmon is to place it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. It could possibly take 12 hours or more – it just depends on the thickness of the fillets. Use the thawed salmon within 2 days of thawing. Tip: Thaw the salmon in its original packaging and place it in a pan to catch any liquids that may leak when it thaws.
Instructions
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken.
- Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add this to the saucepan and whisk until the sauce reaches a glossy, thick consistency (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.
Marinate the Salmon
Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the cooled teriyaki sauce over the salmon, ensuring itโs well-coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour, for the flavors to develop.
Air Fry the Salmon
- Preheat your air fryer to 375ยฐF. Remove the salmon from the marinade and place the fillets in an air fryer-safe baking dish.
- Air fry the salmon for 12 minutes or until it reaches your desired doneness. Flip the salmon halfway through cooking time or when prompted by your air fryer. For a caramelized finish, brush some of the reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Garnish and Serve
Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with thinly sliced scallions for a pop of flavor and color.
Tips and Tricks
- Marinating Time: For the best flavor, marinate the salmon for at least 15 minutes. Marinating for up to an hour will enhance the taste even more if you have more time.
- Caramelization: For a caramelized glaze, brush some reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Cooking Salmon: Skin Side Up or Down?ย That’s a good question, but you won’t have to worry about it because the salmon gets flipped halfway through cooking. (BTW, itโs generally best to cook salmon skin side down.)
- Safe Handling: The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145ยฐF.
- Clean-up: To make clean up easier, make an aluminum pan or parchment pan. I advise against using a silicone basket. (I speak from experience. It’s too much work to clean up and mine ended up in the garbage can.)
Make Your Own Foil Pan
- Cut the foil: Start by tearing off a sheet of aluminum foil thatโs a little larger than the bottom of your air fryer basket.
- Fold the edges: Place the foil on a flat surface and fold each side up about 1 inch to create a rim. Press firmly along the folds to help them stay in place.
- Reinforce the corners: Pinch the corners of the foil where the folds meet, creating a snug fit. This will help form a shallow pan shape.
- Shape the pan: Adjust the pan to fit inside your air fryer basket, ensuring the foil isnโt touching the heating element.
- Now your aluminum foil pan is ready to catch drippings or hold food in your air fryer!
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Substitutions
- Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Honey: Substitute with pure maple syrup or brown sugar if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice or Grains: Serve the salmon over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Quinoa is another excellent choice.
- Vegetable Side: Pair your teriyaki salmon with steamed green beans, bok choy, or Brussels sprouts for a healthy dinner. A fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette complements the rich teriyaki flavors.
- Noodles: Serve over soba noodles or rice noodles for a different twist.
Air-Fried Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filets 4-ounces each
- ยฝ cup soy sauce
- ยผ cup water + 2 tablespoons water
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 scallion thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Perpare the Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Add this to the saucepan, continuing to whisk until the sauce reaches a glossy, thick consistency (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.
Marinate the Salmon
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the cooled teriyaki sauce over the salmon, ensuring itโs well-coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour, for the flavors to develop.
Air Fry the Salmon
- Preheat your air fryer to 375ยฐF. Remove the salmon from the marinade and place the fillets in an air fryer-safe baking dish
- Air fry the salmon for 12 minutes or until it reaches your desired doneness. Flip the salmon halfway through cooking time or when prompted by your air fryer. For a caramelized finish, brush some of the reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Garnish and Serve
- Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with thinly sliced scallions for a pop of flavor and color.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy this family favorite by adding this air-fried teriyaki salmon recipe to your meal rotation! This tender salmon dish is a great recipe for busy weeknights and a hit with the whole family.ย Try it out and let me know how it turns out!ย If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to comment and rate it below. Iโd love to hear about your experience!