ASIAN SALMON (AIR FRYER or OVEN)

Asian Air Fryer Salmon served with a salad of mixed greens, diced pepper, celery & cucumber, roasted turnip, onions & mushrooms, and toasted hemp seeds.

Air frying is by far my favourite way to prepare salmon.  Honestly, I'd buy my air fryer all over again JUST for this.

It’s quick and easy, the clean up is minimal, and the salmon is PERFECT every time.  We’re talking nice and crispy outside, and wonderfully tender, juicy, and buttery inside.  I swear I could eat this every single week.

Side note: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use your oven instead!

This recipe has a wonderful slightly sweet umami flavour thanks to the maple and coconut aminos (or soy sauce), along with a fresh little hit of ginger. To be honest, I often double the garlic and ginger, but you do what works for you! It’s also suitable for gluten-free, paleo, and keto diets.

Asian Air Fryer Salmon served on a combination of zoodles and konjac noodles, and topped with green onions, microgreens, and hemp hearts.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• avocado oil for greasing

• 4 salmon fillets (1 pound)

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 Tbsp Lakanto Maple sugar-free monk fruit sweetener or pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp minced garlic, or more to taste

• 2 tsp grated ginger, or more to taste

Directions for air fryer:

1. In a shallow dish, combine coconut aminos or soy sauce, sesame oil, sweetener, garlic, and ginger.

2. Place salmon in marinade skin side up and cover.  Marinate in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes.

3. Pre-heat air fryer to 400ºF and lightly grease with avocado oil.

4. Place salmon in the air fryer (leaving room between each one for air to flow) and cook for 7 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

Directions for oven:

1. In a shallow dish, combine coconut aminos or soy sauce, sesame oil, sweetener, garlic, and ginger.

2. Place salmon in marinade skin side up and cover.  Marinate in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes.

3. Position the oven rack to about 6 inches from the top of the oven and pre-heat broiler (550F).

4. Place salmon skin-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 4 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

Tip: Keep a close eye on your salmon. When you are using the broiler, food can progress from undercooked to overdone very quickly!

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply gently warm in a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat or use the microwave.

Asian Air Fryer Salmon served on quinoa with salad, and topped with green onions, microgreens, and hemp hearts.

Asian Air Fryer Salmon Salad topped with coconut chips and hemp hearts and toasted hemp seeds.

This recipe was originally published Feb 13, 2021. It was updated March 7, 2025. Air fryer recipe adapted from @mealpreponfleek.