Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer

I’m excited to share with you this quick and easy frozen salmon recipe in the air fryer! This cooks in under 15 minutes, and there’s no need to thaw. It’s a healthy meal that’s ready in no time!

Frozen Salmon fillet served on rice with green beans and a fork on a white plate.

I remember struggling on busy evenings when I wanted something healthy but totally forgot to take my fish out of the freezer to thaw. It was such a hassle! I’d find myself looking for meal ideas and by the time I was ready to cook, the fish was still frozen solid. I’m glad and relieved to have a go-to recipe for those moments when you just want something quick and easy for dinner.

Air fryers are really lifesavers! When I don’t have enough time to defrost or plan our meals ahead, I always turn to my air fryer recipes.

And this air fryer salmon recipe is the one I come back to again and again. It’s so simple and the flavor is just amazing! I love that I can cook frozen salmon straight from the freezer. It saves me time and makes delicious and flaky salmon every single time!

If you’re looking for more fresh and easy fish recipes to cook in the air fryer, you’ll enjoy my Air fryer teriyaki salmon, salmon bites, or spicy salmon, Mahi mahi and tilapia.

Why This Recipe Works:

Easy to make and cooks in just 20 minutes
No thawing needed! You can cook straight from the freezer to the air fryer.
Versatile and great with any side dishes or in salads

Ingredients and Notes

*Scroll below for the recipe card with a full ingredient list, measurements, and to print it.

Frozen salmon fillet with oil, salt, pepper and honey garlic sauce ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

Frozen salmon fillets – 4 to 6 oz each
Oil – Olive oil, avocado oil, or any cooking oil would do
Salt & black pepper – Basic seasonings for flavor and taste
Hot Honey Garlic Sauce – I used bottled sauce. If you want to make it at home whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp oil, 2 garlic cloves minced and 1 tbsp red chili flakes.

How to Cook Frozen Salmon

*Scroll below for the printable recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.

Step 1: Rub oil on frozen salmon fillets, and sprinkle salt and pepper.

Step 2: Place in the Air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. Or until the internal temperature is 135°F.

Four salmon fillets in an air fryer ready to cook

Step 3: Brush with hot honey garlic sauce and serve with extra sauce on the side or lemon wedges.

Four cooked salmon fillets in an air fryer with honey garlic sauce

Notes: After brushing with honey garlic sauce you can air fry for a couple more minutes.

How Long To Cook Frozen Salmon In Air Fryer

Cooking Time – Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F. No preheating is needed. We’ll let the frozen salmon thaw in the air fryer while cooking.
Doneness – You can check the doneness using an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the fish; it should read 135°F when done.

What Works Best for Cooking Frozen Salmon

I like to start with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. While frozen salmon doesn’t absorb spices as well as fresh, you can still add some paprika and garlic powder before cooking for a mild flavor, then brush with sauce or marinade afterward to enhance it.

Here, I’ve used a ready-made hot honey garlic sauce, but you could also try the teriyaki sauce from my Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon recipe or the spice mix from my spicy salmon recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe goes well with different side dishes and sauces. Try it with basmati rice or add garlicky mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables for a healthy and balanced meal.

Fork, rice, and green beans with a frozen salmon fillet on a white plate

Storing and Reheating

Though I prefer to finish the cooked salmon on the same day, any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. I would not recommend freezing them again.

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes until warm.

Before you begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating, letting us know how you’d like the recipe! This helps us to thrive and continue providing free recipes.

Recipe