Frozen foods are a real relief when we want to keep food in stock. You can even use frozen productsprepare fine dishes, and faster than you think. Our favorite salmon is no exception. Would you like to prepare frozen salmon in the air fryer? Here you can find out everything you should consider when preparing it.
Frozen salmon in the air fryer: preparation tips
You don't have to sacrifice taste or health when you make dinner straight from the freezer. From frozen salmon you havethe same health benefits as fresh salmon. Since the fish is flash-frozen immediately after it is caught, the vitamins and nutrients it contains are not lost.
Plus, frozen salmon in the air fryer is incredibly easy to prepare. There is no need to get a lot of ingredients from the supermarket. For seasoning, you can use any sauce or simply spices to taste. A recipe for teriyaki sauce that goes well with salmon fillet can be found at the end of the article. But first, let's clarify what you should consider when you use itFish in the air fryerprepared.
Should you thaw the salmon first?
Perhaps the most common question regarding hot air fryers is whether you should defrost foods such as fish first, or whether you can put them directly into the hot air. The manufacturers of one of the most famous brands of hot air fryers explain thatFrozen ingredients can be prepared without defrosting in the device. While defrosting allows for more even cooking time, frozen salmon can be cooked directly in the air fryer. So defrosting before preparation isnot necessary, however, it is important to note that the cooking time may need to be increased or the temperature increased as the food will defrost for the first few minutes in the air fryer. However, this does not affect the result in any way.
A notice:You can let large salmon fillets thaw briefly so that you can cut them into smaller pieces. This is not so easy with frozen pieces, so a quick 5-10 minutes before preparation would make the task a lot easier. If you really need something quick, you can use the device to defrost. Place the large piece of fish in the basket and turn the air fryer on to the lowest temperature for 2 minutes. This softens the fish enough that it can be cut into desired portions.
How long should I cook frozen salmon and at what temperature?
The exact preparation time for frozen salmon depends primarily on the thickness of the fillets. As a rule, the frozen salmon fillets take 2-3 minutes longer than the fresh ones. Another difference is the temperature. Fresh salmon is fried for about 15 minutes at 160 °C in the hot air fryer. For frozen fillets, you can either increase the temperature to 200°C and cook the fish for the same time, or cook the additional 2-3 minutes at 180°C.
Tipp:It is always advisable to check the fish about halfway through and adjust the temperature and time if necessary. This way you can avoid the salmon becoming too dry or undercooked. For optimal doneness, you can check the internal temperature of the fish with a kitchen thermometer. It should reach 62°C. Then the fish is cooked.
Do you have to line the basket with paper or aluminum foil?
It is not a good idea to line the air fryer basket with baking paper or aluminum foil. This reduces airflow and will affect the cooking process. If you want to avoid sticking and make it easier to clean your device afterwards, you can only use perforated steam paper. This is a special baking paper with holes that can be used in the hot fryer without affecting air circulation.
Ready breaded salmon in the hot air fryer
Sometimes we need a quick fix for dinner. Ready-to-eat breaded salmon fillets from the freezer are a great option that you can place directly in the air fryer and fry. These must not be thawed as the breading will soften and fall apart. So put them straight from the packaging into the deep fryer basket and fry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Don't forget to turn the breaded fillets halfway through. This way you get an even golden brown.
Airfryer frozen salmon recipe with teriyaki sauce
Preparing frozen salmon in the air fryer is one of the easiest and best ways to prepare salmon. You don't even have to defrost it! These frozen salmon fillets are prepared deliciously every time. They're ready in under 15 minutes and topped with a homemade teriyaki sauce. Of course, you can also use a ready-made sauce or just season the fish with salt, pepper and olive oil.
Ingredients:
- frozen salmon fillets
- 40 g Honig
- 60 ml soy sauce
- 60ml water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- freshly ground red pepper
- 1 teaspoon tapioca flour
- 30 ml cold water
Preparation of the teriyaki sauce:
- Stir together honey, soy sauce, water, ground ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Mix the tapioca flour with cold water in a small bowl. Stir well until it dissolves.
- Add the flour mixture to the saucepan and stir well.
- Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare the salmon in the air fryer:
- If you are using a whole salmon fillet, cut it into smaller fillets (approx. 150 grams).
- Place the fillets in the air fryer basket without overfilling it. Fry in batches if necessary.
- First, cook the frozen salmon fillets at 200°C for 4 minutes. Then brush each fillet with teriyaki sauce and cook for another 4 minutes.
- Brush the fish again with teriyaki sauce and cook for another 4 minutes. If possible, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. (It should reach at least 62°C.)
- Carefully remove the salmon from the frying basket and sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped chives if desired.
Cover photo: SvedOliver / Shutterstock