If you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner full of flavor, this quick and easy air fryer teriyaki salmon is the answer. With tender, flaky salmon, topped in a quick homemade teriyaki sauce, this makes a delicious dinner or addition to grain bowls and rice bowls.
This air fryer salmon recipe takes only 6-8 minutes of cooking time for the salmon and just 10 minutes to make the flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce. Once the sauce cools you’ll combine it with salmon and let the air fryer work it’s magic!
Make it even quicker on busy weeknights by using your favorite store-bought teriyaki sauce instead.
And if you love your air fryer for helping you save time, browse my air fryer category for more easy air fryer recipes like 4-minute air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, quick air fryer coconut chicken, or cheesy air fryer croissant sandwiches.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
For the salmon:
- salmon: I buy frozen salmon and then thaw it before using it. You can also use fresh salmon. My salmon fillets are about 4-6 oz each and about an inch at the thickest end.
For the sauce:
- soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar for salty and sweet flavors, plus acidity to balance.
- Fresh ginger and garlic are added for flavor boosts.
- Cornstarch will thicken the sauce.
- You can also add a dash of sriracha hot sauce for a mild background heat.
Use your favorite store-bought sauce or make my sauce recipe ahead of time for even quicker dinner prep.
Instructions
Prep Tips
Can you use frozen salmon?
For this recipe, I use frozen salmon, but thaw it before air frying it. My salmon fillets come individually sealed in plastic.
To thaw frozen salmon:
- place the salmon in a shallow dish and let it sit in the fridge overnight, or
- place the sealed salmon package in a large bowl of cold water and let sit for 30 minutes to thaw. If it’s still frozen. replace the water with fresh cold water and let it sit for another 15-20 minutes.
- or follow package instructions if included.
Make the homemade sauce
- In a small bowl whisk the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. The mixture should be completely smooth without lumps of cornstarch.
- Add the slurry to a skillet or a small saucepan.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk to combine.
- Heat the sauce over medium heat, for 5-10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Let the sauce cool before marinating the salmon in it.
Air fry the salmon
- Place the salmon in a small mixing bowl with a quarter cup of the cooled sauce.
- Toss to coat and then let the salmon sit skin side up while it marinates for 10-15 minutes.
You can preheat the air fryer at this time or start side dishes.
- After 15 minutes, place the marinated salmon skin side down on the air fryer tray or in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145℉ (63°C).
The skin will peel off of the cooked salmon easily.
Sprinkled chopped green onions on top of the salmon and serve.
The USDA recommends cooking salmon to internal temperature of 145℉ (63°C). Canada recommends an internal temperature of 158°F (70°C) for salmon which I feel is overdone and can result in dry salmon, so I aim in between those temperatures.
Tips for making air fryer salmon and teriyaki sauce
- Always use cold water when making a cornstarch slurry so that the cornstarch can dissolve evenly.
- Use an instant read meat thermometer to check for the proper internal temperature. I have a meat thermometer similar to this one which I bought for $15.
- Meal prep: make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This makes prepping this dish quicker on the night you want to serve it.
- Don’t mix raw fish with the sauce that you want to keep. Just portion out 1/4 cup of sauce onto the fish and don’t dip the spoon back. Save the extra sauce in the fridge for other uses.
- No air fryer? Bake the salmon in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-14 minutes instead.
What to serve with teriyaki salmon
I like this salmon served with rice and extra teriyaki sauce on the side. Try white rice like coconut rice, cauliflower rice, or this easy Instant Pot brown rice recipe.
For vegetables on the side try a spicy cucumber salad, roasted sesame broccoli, or roasted broccoli and carrots.
Cut the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and add to a grain bowl, wrap, or salad.
Love your air fryer? Try honey garlic cauliflower next!
Storage
Store leftover teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days.
Store leftover salmon in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
FAQs
4-6 oz salmon fillets take 6-8 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C). Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145℉ (63°C).
Salmon quicks quickly in the air fryer and does not need to be flipped during cooking.
Air frying salmon skin side down will result in a crispy skin that slides off of the fish and helps prevent the tender flaky fish from sticking to the air fryer tray.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Equipment
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer or similar
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets 4-6 oz each
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce recipe below
- 2 green onions sliced, to garnish
Teriyaki Sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅔ cups water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha optional
Instructions
For the Sauce
- Whisk the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Add to a skillet.
- Add the rest of the sauce ingredients to the skillet.
- Heat the skillet over medium to medium-high heat, until bubbling and thickened. Allow to cool.
For the Salmon
- Add the salmon fillets to a bowl and toss to coat with 1/4 cup of the sauce. Let sit skin side up for 10-15 minutes to marinate.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (200℃).
- Place the salmon fillets skin side down on the air fryer tray or basket.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 145℉ (63°C).
- Top with green onions and serve with extra sauce if you prefer it.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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