Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

Air fryer teriyaki salmon is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that can be made gluten free, dairy free and paleo, and is done in under 20 minutes. It’s a versatile recipe thanks to a simple homemade teriyaki sauce that pairs well with almost anything. Salmon is a go-to protein with it’s fast cook time and this recipe is sure to go on your regular family-friendly recipe rotation!

Why This Recipe Works:

• This teriyaki salmon is the ideal meal for busy weeknights being the sauce comes together so quickly and salmon is one of the fastest proteins to cook. You can even prep the sauce ahead of time so there’s even less time involved at dinnertime!
• It’s gluten-free, dairy-free and can easily be made paleo so everyone can enjoy or so that you can use simple swaps depending on what you have in the pantry.
• The homemade teriyaki sauce is super simple and pairs perfectly with salmon. It gets wonderfully sticky and slightly sweet on the air fried salmon, and is delicious paired with vegetables, rice or cauliflower rice.
• This recipe is done in under 20 minutes and utilizes the air fryer so clean up is both fast and easy.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Ingredients

This teriyaki salmon recipe is so easy to make. The only thing you have to prepare is the sauce. Aside from 4 salmon fillets, you will need the sauce ingredients. The teriyaki sauce is made from low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic and ginger. See the notes section of the recipe for substitutions for making this recipe paleo.

To thicken the homemade teriyaki sauce, you’ll need a bit of water and a thickener such as cornstarch or flour. The flour can be gluten free 1:1, arrowroot flour or tapioca flour, depending on your dietary needs and what you have on hand.

Salmon: You will need 4 fillets of salmon, or one large fillet that can be divided into individual portions. If you’re looking for a high quality salmon, you can get wild Alaskan salmon straight from the source from Surrender Salmon. You can use the code BAILEY10 at checkout to save 10% off your order, which is over $20 off the salmon fillet portions, and free shipping on orders over $125.

Step by Step Air Frying Instructions

Step 1

The first step to making your salmon is preparing the teriyaki sauce. This is a quick process that uses pantry staple ingredients, so it should not take more than a few minutes. Whisk your sauce together in a medium dish and then add about a third of a cup into a shallow container or sealable bag. Set the remainder of the sauce aside for now.

Step 2

The next step is to pat the salmon fillets dry. If you want to remove the skins, do so now, and then place the salmon into the marinade you’ve poured into a marinading bag or into the container, skin side up if not removed. You’ll want to let your salmon fillets sit in the teriyaki sauce for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3

Use the time while your salmon is marinating to preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. if the model you use requires it. Once the fish has marinated, add the fillets skin side down into your air fryer basket or tray, and cook them for 8 minutes.

Please note that the cook time will vary depending on how thick the salmon fillets are. Check it at the 8 minute mark, and add 2 minutes if needed. A salmon fillet that is 1-inch thick will take about 10 minutes to cook.

Step 4

While the salmon is cooking in the air fryer, add the remaining teriyaki sauce that you previously set aside into a saucepan over medium heat. Make a slurry with the thickener you’re using by adding it into a small dish with the water and stirring until the thickener is dissolved completely in the water. Pour the slurry into the teriyaki sauce in the pan and whisk until it’s well combined.

Step 5

Continue to heat the sauce and whisk until it’s a thickened, saucy consistency and then immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent it from burning. This process of thickening the sauce will only take a few minutes, so make sure to keep an eye on it.

Step 6

Once the salmon is done cooking for the 8 to 10 minutes, brush or spoon the thickened sauce onto each fillet. Return the tray or basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to caramelize the sauce over the salmon.

Remove the salmon from the air fryer gently using the tongs and serve the fish immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer teriyaki salmon is delicious served over rice or cauliflower rice with a side of vegetables such as broccoli or stir-fried veggies. Use any extra sauce over the rice and vegetables. Being it’s such a quick and easy recipe, you can make it feel fancier by garnishing with green onions or sesame seeds!

It pairs so well with any number of vegetables, which only helps to make this a go-to meal being you can work with almost anything you have in the fridge to serve with it! Some veggie ideas to try include air fryer green beans, instant pot steamed broccoli, bang bang brussels sprouts or served over air fryer spaghetti squash.

Teriyaki salmon is also great with a cabbage slaw, served over a salad, with sautéed asparagus or zucchini, over a grain bowl, with sautéed thinly sliced carrots and peppers, a cucumber salad, and so much more. The options are endless and this recipe is incredibly versatile!

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Air fryer salmon does make a great meal prep recipe as well as a quick weeknight dinner. To store leftovers or use for meal prep, first ensure that the salmon has cooled completely once it’s done cooking. Then store the fillets in airtight containers (or meal prep containers with your sides) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can reheat the salmon in the air fryer by cooking it on 400 degrees for 3 to 4 minutes, in the oven on 350 degrees for about 8 minutes, or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the teriyaki sauce can be made the day prior to using it. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together, with the exception of the thickener and water, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Once you’re ready to cook the salmon, follow the remaining instructions as directed.

Can this be made paleo?

Yes. To make this air fryer teriyaki salmon paleo, simply use coconut aminos in place of low sodium soy sauce and coconut sugar in place of brown sugar. For the flour thickener, any paleo option such as tapioca flour or arrowroot flour will work just fine.

Can this be made in the oven?

Yes teriyaki salmon can be baked in the oven instead of the air fryer. To do so, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Marinate as instructed and then place the salmon fillets in a baking dish, leaving a bit of space between each fillet.

After the salmon has marinated and you’ve placed it into a baking dish, spoon or brush the remaining teriyaki sauce over the fillets. Bake for 6 minutes, spoon or brush on more marinade, and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes. Final cook time again depends on how thick your salmon fillets are.

Other Salmon Recipes You’ll Love:

• Oven Baked Green Salmon (with Air Fryer Instructions)
• Spicy Salmon Bowls
• Cajun Salmon Pasta
• Shrimp Stuffed Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon Patties
• Dairy Free Creamy Salmon Skillet

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