Healthy Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (With Skin)

I make this garlic herb frozen salmon in the air fryer when I want a fast, high protein dinner with almost no prep.

You'll love this recipe because it goes straight from freezer to plate, delivers juicy flavorful salmon, and makes healthy weeknight dinners feel completely doable.

Things to Know Before Making Garlic Herb Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

• Cook salmon skin side down to keep it moist and prevent sticking
• Garlic herb seasoning can be swapped for garlic salt and black pepper if needed
• Preheating the air fryer helps the salmon cook evenly
• A digital thermometer is the best way to avoid overcooking

I've been creating easy high protein air fryer recipes since 2018, and frozen salmon is one of the most reliable proteins I use.

Try Honey Garlic Honey Mustard Frozen Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce, or Air Fry Frozen Chicken Wings next.

Ingredients Overview

• Salmon fillets: A naturally high protein fish that stays juicy when cooked from frozen in the air fryer
• Olive oil or butter: Helps the seasoning stick and adds moisture during cooking
• Garlic herb seasoning: Brings bold flavor with zero prep and can be swapped for lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning

Note: The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Key equipment: Air fryer and a digital meat thermometer.

How to Cook Garlic Herb Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Starting with a hot air fryer helps the salmon cook evenly from edge to center.

Step 2: Brush the frozen salmon fillets with olive oil or melted butter, coating the tops well. Sprinkle generously with garlic herb seasoning so the flavor really stands out.

Step 3: Place the salmon fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes until the salmon flakes easily and reaches your preferred internal temperature.

Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving so it stays moist and tender.

Substitutions and Variations

• Use garlic salt and black pepper instead of garlic herb seasoning
• Try lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning for a different flavor profile
• Brush on honey with the oil or butter for honey garlic salmon
• Cook to medium at 130 to 140°F for a firmer texture

What to Serve with Garlic Herb Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

Serve this salmon with air fryer green beans, air fryer corn on the cob, or air fryer asparagus for a simple balanced meal. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.

Storage and Freezing

Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed. Freeze cooked turkey thighs for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Can you cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?

Yes. Frozen salmon cooks perfectly in the air fryer without thawing and stays juicy when not overcooked.

What temperature should air fryer salmon be cooked to?

Medium rare salmon is 120 to 125°F, while medium salmon is 130 to 140°F.

Why is my air fryer salmon dry?

Salmon usually dries out from overcooking. Use a thermometer and let it rest before serving.

Do I need to flip salmon in the air fryer?

No. Cooking skin side down without flipping keeps the salmon moist and flaky.

More High Protein Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
• Frozen Sausage in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast (from Frozen)
• Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

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Recipe

Easy Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillets (With Skin)

Jenni Cole

This garlic herb frozen salmon is cooked straight from the freezer in the air fryer for an easy, high protein dinner. The fillets turn out juicy, flaky, and full of flavor in under 15 minutes, making this a simple and healthy weeknight meal.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 4 salmon fillets

Calories 78 kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3-4 5-6 oz salmon fillets, 1" each
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 2 teaspoon garlic herb seasoning McCormicks

Instructions

 

• Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees for 5 minutes.
• Brush the frozen salmon with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the fillets heavily with a seasoning mix like McCormicks. We used their roasted garlic and herb, you can also just use garlic salt and black pepper instead.
• Place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer unit.
• Air fry the salmon fillets for a total of 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon reaches a medium-rare internal temperature of 120-125 degrees and can be easily flaked with a fork. If you prefer medium salmon, cook it until 130-140 degrees. Let the salmon rest 5 minutes before serving.
• Some air fryer models will take longer to cook than others, so we highly recommend using a digital thermometer to check for doneness.

Notes

• Medium rare salmon is the most moist and flavorful
• Always preheat the air fryer for best results
• A digital thermometer prevents overcooking
• Any grocery store seasoning blend works well
• Salmon is naturally high protein and rich in healthy fats
• Brush on honey when you add the oil or butter to make air fryer honey garlic salmon.
• The first time you cook a new food in the air fryer, keep an extra close watch on the cooking time. Some air fryer models cook faster than others.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 159mg

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