Easy Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

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This is the easiest and best Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon. The salmon fillet comes out flaky, juicy, and packed with flavor! You'll be enjoying this quick weeknight dinner in no time, because this salmon only needs 10 minutes in the air fryer! Easy, peasy!

air fryer teriyaki salmon with sesame seeds on a bed of rice and chopsticks

Cooking seafood in the air fryer is an absolute staple in my kitchen! Not only does my family end up with a healthy omega-3 rich dinner, but nothing beats the 8-10 minute cook time. And, oh boy, is the flavor out of this world!

Besides this amazingly flavorful and simple air fryer salmon teriyaki, some of my regular air fried fish and shellfish recipes are air fryer sea bass, air fried halibut with pesto (another two ingredient air fried fish recipe!), and of course, cooking frozen fish in the air fryer for those nights where you have nothing thawed, but want a healthy meal quickly.

Table of Contents

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS AIR FRYER TERIYAKI SALMON

Super easy! TWO ingredients is all you need to make this amazingly delicious quick salmon recipe.
Quick dinner option. Compared to your every day dinner options, this air fried salmon recipe is ready in a fraction of the time!
Healthy fish dinner! Salmon is packed with health benefits, making it one of the best options for a healthy and quick weeknight dinner option.
Amazing flavor comes through from the teriyaki sauce and creates the most beautiful blend of sweet and savory.
It takes just 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. A great cooking time and no oven needed!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Salmon

If you're using previously frozen salmon fillets, make sure they have thawed completely before air frying. I like to marinade the salmon fillets in the teriyaki sauce for about 15 to 20 minutes outside of the fridge to allow the fillets to come to room temperature and cook more evenly.

Teriyaki sauce

Use your favorite teriyaki sauce or make your own. There's a ton of great options to choose from depending on your palette and dietary restrictions. I used Bachan's Japanese BBQ sauce (teriyaki sauce) for this recipe.

EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED

Air Fryer and Indoor Grill. I use this almost daily, creating quick air fryer seafood dinners!
This air fryer has a built-in thermometer that comes in so handy for cooking seafood!

Fish Spatula

SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS

Add ginger. If I wasn't making this meal as a super quick dinner option for my family, I would've went straight for the ginger to add great flavor to this teriyaki sauce for salmon.
Add garlic. A little bit goes a long way in a dish like this in elevating the flavor.
Garnish with green onions. They will add flavor and color!
Make it spicy! Add jalapenos, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to give it a little kick.
Low-carb. Use a low-carb or sugar-free teriyaki sauce to reduce the amount of carbs.

close up of air fryer teriyaki salmon with sesame seeds on a bed of rice

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

This salmon teriyaki air fryer recipe couldn't be easier to make for a quick and easy dinner. Using the 2 ingredients; salmon and your preferred teriyaki sauce to marinade the salmon as it comes to room temperature.

Meanwhile, while the air fryer is preheating, it's a great time to prep the sides. Then, air fry the salmon until it's flaky perfection and enjoy warm!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

salmon and teriyaki sauce in a ziploc bag on a white plate step 1 in making air fryer teriyaki salmon

In a shallow bowl or an air-tight ziploc bag, place the salmon fillets and pour half of the teriyaki sauce on top. Make sure to get the teriyaki sauce on both sides of the salmon. Reserve the other half of the sauce for later use.
Allow the salmon fillets to marinade in the sauce for at least 15 minutes.
Set the air fryer to 375℉ and allow it to preheat in order for the fillets to cook properly.

Place salmon skin side down in the greased air fryer basket. Place parchment paper underneath the basket if you have an air fryer with a delegate basket and tray.
Cook the salmon for about 10 minutes. Check the fillets for doneness at the 8-minute mark, and brush on the rest of the teriyaki sauce.

air fried teriyaki salmon on air fryer basket

Remove the salmon fillets using a fish spatula and plate. Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds to serve. Pair with a bed of rice and a side of cooked vegetables or a salad.

EXPERT TIPS

Cook the salmon skin side down, also leave the skin on to keep the salmon juicy!
Always pre-heat the air fryer before adding the salmon fillets.
Check for doneness early! I like to check by flaking one of the fillets or checking the internal temperature to ensure it reached at least 130F degrees.
Put enough sauce to maximize the flavor. If there's leftover sauce that the recipe called for, adding it on the salmon at the end. It's always a plus when extra sauce ends up on the bed of rice :).
Leave room for the salmon to breathe. Over crowding can cause uneven cooking, so leaving some wiggle room in between the fillets will ensure they cook more properly.

STORAGE TIPS

Fridge: Store this teriyaki salmon air fryer recipe in an airtight tupperware in the fridge for up to 2 days. It can last 3 days, but for optimal freshness I like to keep it at 2 days.
Freezer: You can freeze any leftovers! Place in an airtight container or ziploc bag and freeze up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat the salmon in the air fryer on 350 degrees until warmed through.

HOW TO PREP AHEAD

To make ahead, add the salmon and teriyaki sauce in a shallow bowl or air tight bag and allow to marinade until you're ready to cook! Then, follow the instructions in the recipe card below for air fryer instructions.

FAQ

How to freeze leftovers

If you end up making more teriyaki salmon air fryer fillets than you need, you can freeze the rest! Simply thaw and reheat in the air fryer once you're ready to eat them.

Do you put skin up or skin down when air frying salmon?

Always cook salmon with skin side down when air frying. That way, not only is it easier to remove the fillets from the air fryer basket when it's done cooking, but you'll ensure the seasoning or sauce stays on the salmon fillets.

How do you cook salmon in an air fryer without it sticking?

There are a couple ways to make sure the filet doesn't stick in the air fryer. First, grease the air fryer basket with oil. I like to use avocado oil that I brush on or use my reusable oil sprayer. The other best way to keep fish from sticking to the air fryer basket is to use parchment paper. This is a great way to easily remove the fillet with minimal mess, but it may interfere with properly crisping the fillet.

What temperature do you air fry salmon at?

Air fry salmon at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes before cooking salmon to ensure it cooks at the proper temperature.

How long should you cook salmon in the air fryer?

At 375 degrees F, cook the salmon fillets in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes. The time will vary slightly depending on the size of the fillets. Be sure to check the temperature or flakiness at the 8 minute mark to avoid overcooking.

air fryer teriyaki salmon with sesame seeds on a bed of rice

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE

I love making this air fryer salmon teriyaki recipe with a bed of sushi rice and a side vegetable. When you're looking for something a little more dressed up, use one of these recipes:

Air fryer butternut squash is a staple when in season.

For a tasty appetizer, try these air fried crab rangoons!

To drink, make this amazingly tasty huckleberry margarita.

MORE AIR FRYER SEAFOOD RECIPES

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! When you make this dish, please RATE using the ⭐️stars, and COMMENT at the end of the page. I love connecting with you in the comments section.

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