UK households should stop baking salmon in the oven and use one simple alternative method instead, as one expert explains how it gives the “best” results. Salmon is an easy dinner to make and is normally paired with some perfectly-cooked potatoes, roasted vegetables or a delicious salad on the side. Baking salmon in the oven is an easy thing to do, and you can include as many ingredients as you want to enhance the flavour. But one cook has revealed why air frying salmon is better than baking it, giving the piece of fish a deliciously crispy outer layer that isn’t as easily achieved through traditional cooking means.
Air fryers are a game-changer when it comes to a variety of foods. Salmon is one of those foods and can be cooked in the air fryer in a matter of minutes. Erin Clark, who runs the recipe site Well Plated by Erin, shared her air fryer salmon recipe and explained why it is her absolute favourite. Her method involves only four steps and a small number of ingredients. She says that this recipe is a rare one, because the easiest method is actually the one that gives the best results.
Ingredients needed for the easiest air fryer salmon
To make her easy yet delicious air fryer salmon, Erin uses a small number of ingredients that each pack a punch. In the recipe, she includes:
- 2 salmon fillets, which are about 6 ounces each
- Pinch kosher salt
- Pinch ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch ground ginger optional
How to make tasty air fryer salmon
The first step involves patting the salmon dry and sprinkling both sides with salt and pepper. Then, you line the air fryer with baking paper or foil and preheat it to around 200C.
Following that, mix together the brown sugar, Dijon, oil, soy sauce, garlic powder and ginger in a small bowl and then spoon it over the salmon fillets. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket so they are not touching.
Finally, cook the salmon in the air fryer anywhere between 6 and 11 minutes, depending on how thick the fillets are. Once they have cooked, they are ready to serve with an extra dash of salt and pepper. You can also season this air fryer salmon with lemon, garlic and honey, Erin suggests.
Why is air fryer salmon the best?
According to Erin, air frying salmon gives the fillets a juicy, flaky texture while delivering a crispy exterior. Air fryers are great for cooking meats and fish evenly, using their smart technology and design.
Speed is key, Erin says, as it locks in the moisture in the salmon, allowing it to remain juicy and flavourful. Plus, you achieve the desired crisp on the outside of the salmon without overcooking or drying out the inside of the fillet.