Salmon is both a delicious and healthy meal, which makes it perfect for a weekday dinner, but it often comes out of the air fryer charred if it has not been cooked properly. Air fryers offer a convenient way to achieve crispy salmon, but their high heat can easily dry out the fish or toughen the skin if not used carefully.
However, Julia Mueller, a cookbook author and founder of The Roasted Root, recommends coating salmon in a little avocado oil to keep the salmon juicy while still getting that tasty crisp texture. She said: “A little drizzle of avocado oil goes a long way in protecting the salmon and seasonings from burning and keeping it nice and tender.
“Because we’re cooking at 400 degrees, a high-temperature cooking oil like avocado oil is recommended to avoid burning.”
Avocado oil has a higher smoke point than other cooking oils, which means food can be cooked at a higher temperature without becoming burned.
If you coat salmon in a little bit of avocado oil, it creates a protective layer that will seal in the natural oils and moisture of the fish to prevent it from drying out from the intense heat of the air fryer.
However, the oil still allows the surface of the salmon to crisp up, so you will get a perfectly browned skin that will not have a horrible charred appearance or bitter taste from being overcooked.
What is fantastic about avocado oil is that not only does it make salmon tastier on its own, but it also helps other seasonings or marinades stick better to the fish, so you will get a much more flavorful meal without much effort.
How to make salmon taste better in the air fryer
What you will need (for two servings):
- Two salmon fillets
- Two teaspoons of avocado oil
- One teaspoon of garlic granules
- Half a teaspoon of onion granules
- Half a teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper
Method
To begin with, line the tray or basket inside your air fryer with baking paper. This will make cleaning up after cooking much easier.
Drizzle the salmon with the avocado oil, and use your hands to gently work the oil into the skin.
Next, sprinkle the salmon with onion, garlic, and paprika seasonings and add a little salt and pepper.
Add the salmon to the air fryer and cook at 200C for eight minutes. If your air fryer has a ‘bake’ or ‘air fryer’ function, then you can use that instead.
Once the time is up, check on the salmon and cook for one to two-minute intervals until it is as crispy as you wish.
Your salmon will be perfectly tender and beautifully cooked. If you wish, there are simple ways to spice up rice or broccoli as well, if you are making them for dinner.