Salmon is a fantastic choice when you are craving something both delicious and healthy for dinner, but it can be disappointing if it turns out dry or tough to eat. It is very easy to overcook salmon, especially when using an air fryer, as it is a lean fish that does not contain much fat to keep it moist.
Without proper preparation, salmon can dry out quickly, but cooking expert Arman Liew, founder of The Bigman’s World, has revealed a simple method to ensure it stays full of flavour. Arman said: “Brown sugar. My secret ingredient! Adding a touch of sugar helps caramelize the fish and gives it a crispy exterior and a very subtle sweetness.”
Using a little brown sugar as a glaze will lock the moisture into the fillet to stop it drying out, so you will get perfectly cooked salmon that it incredibly juicy and tender on the inside.
Brown sugar also helps the salmon skin caramelise while cooking so you will also get a slightly crispy outside to make even tastier.
It also adds a sweet contrast which helps bring out the natural richness and of salmon to make it taste buttery so every bite it utterly delicious.
Arman added: “The air fryer works its magic to create a perfectly crispy and flaky exterior for the salmon while locking in all its juices, and the sweet and spicy rub takes it to the next level. It’s one of my family’s favorite weeknight dinners.”
How to make salmon juicy in the air fryer
You will need:
- Four salmon fillets
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Two tablespoons of of brown sugar
- Half a teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
- Half a teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and paper
Method
To begin, pat the salmon dry with paper towels. This reduces the moisture on the skin so it cooks more evenly in the air fryer and also reduces the chance of the glaze splattering.
Mix the olive oil, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Add the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.
Rub the glaze all over the salmon, then place the fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket or tray.
Cook in the air fryer at 200C for six minutes. Time may vary depending on your air fryer model so check on it after the six minute mark and then add a minute or two if it is not crispy enough yet.
Once ready, take out the air fryer and let the salmon rest for three to five minutes. Salmon juices move near the surface while cooking and letting it rest allows the moisture to settle back into the flesh to help make it juicer.
After a few minutes your mouthwatering and extremely tender salmon will then be ready to serve.
