Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet With Skin
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jul 22, 2025 
Use our amazingly easy and practically foolproof recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet With Skin to make the most moist and perfectly flaky fish in under 15 minutes!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
By now you either love your air fryer or you really love your air fryer. And it’s not hard to see why! These countertop wonder machines are great to quickly cook your favorite foods, while also keeping the oven free.
Another fabulous feature of the air fryer is its ability to “fry” frozen foods in only a matter of minutes… Including skin-on salmon! That’s right, there is no need to defrost most meats – including seafood – before air frying to golden, slightly crisp, and mouthwateringly tender perfection.
Seriously, this Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer recipe is the easiest and most flavorful way to make salmon fillets, even if they come straight out of the freezer! They’re brushed with a simple and delicious honey, lemon, and spices blend, and from start to finish are ready to enjoy in less than 20 minutes. Pair crispy skin salmon with nearly any side dish for a satisfying dinner any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet With Skin
- Simple and delicious – In just a few quick and easy steps you can enjoy the most amazingly tender salmon fillet!
- Easy cleanup – I love that this no-fuss recipe is also cleanup friendly! Just wash the air fryer basket, and you’re all set.
- Texture bomb – Every single bite is loaded with crispy skin and perfectly tender salmon!
Whether you’re short on time or looking for a quick and delicious salmon recipe, this dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or meal prep idea!
Ingredients and Tips
- Atlantic salmon – Use frozen salmon filets or fresh versions with skin on, that you’ve patted dry with a paper towel.
- Honey – Use a high quality honey.
- Olive oil – You can instead use any other high heat and neutral-flavored oil.
- Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- Seasonings – You’ll need a blend of salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder and dried or fresh dill.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Maple syrup – Swap the honey with maple syrup.
- Herbs – If you don’t have dill, use parsley, thyme or Italian seasonings instead.
- Spiciness – Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Seasonings – Try using our homemade Blackened Seasoning or Adobo seasoning.
How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet With Skin
Making this salmon dish straight from the freezer is so easy and quick! This foolproof recipe makes the most delicious salmon in just 20 minutes.
Find the full Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet With Skin recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Tips For Success
- If you prefer not to get the bottom of the air fryer basket dirty, you can place a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper in the basket before adding the salmon fillets. This really helps with cleanup!
- Let the air fryer preheat all the way before adding the pieces of fish. You want that perfect high heat for quick cooking!
- Place frozen salmon fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overlap them or let the pieces touch so the hot air is able to cook around the fish evenly. If you have large fillets you might need to cook in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the fryer.
- Take care that you don’t overcook the fillets. Start with the lowest end of the cook time range, and check for doneness before adding more time. Perfectly cooked salmon will be slightly firm and flaky, with still a bit of pinkness in the center.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Leftovers – Reheat in the air fryer for up to 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish this crispy-skin salmon recipe with a slice of lemon wedge, and serve with tartar sauce and your favorite seafood-friendly sides. (PS – You can eat the salmon with the crispy salmon skin, or without.)
Pair with cool and crunchy coleslaw, tender air fryer asparagus, or a refreshing green salad. Serve on top of a Detox Salad or Caesar for a delicious, hearty, and healthy Salmon Caesar Salad!
We also love tender fillets alongside fluffy rice or cauliflower rice, quinoa salad, and lots of other types of plant-based goodness like grilled or roasted vegetables.
You can even use this technique for other delicious salmon recipes like salmon sandwiches, salmon pasta, salmon burgers, or salmon salads!
Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillet Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon 2-3 fillets
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill or 1 tsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Allow it to run several minutes while you prep the salmon fillets. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
- Set out a small bowl. Mix together the honey, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dill. Set aside.
- Frozen salmon in the air fryer: place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket close and air fry for 6 minutes. Open the air fryer and brush the glaze over the top of the salmon fillets. Then close the air fryer and fry again for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Fresh salmon in the air fryer: place the fresh salmon fillets in the air fryer. Brush the glaze over the top. Close the air fryer and set the timer for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Set the air fryer to 400°F for frozen or fresh salmon with skin.
Frozen salmon cooks in about 12-14 minutes. Fresh salmon only takes 5-8 minutes, max.
Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F. You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer! You can also tell that the salmon is finished when it is an opaque yet firm pink color and the meat easily flakes with a fork..
Nope! The fish is placed skin-side down in the air fryer basket and left alone until done.
This is perfect! I made it exactly as described, except that I added 1tsp of paprika (I love it on salmon).
I can’t believe how easy this is to make! Delicious!
I love eating salmon and using my air fryer. This air fryer salmon recipe is amazing. Super easy to make and perfect for someone like me who is single and doesn’t need to cook a lot of food.
I love how easy this is to cook with the air fryer. Comes out delicious every time!