Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

$To make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon, you will need: - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each) - 4 tablespoons honey - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish) - Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish) You can easily swap some ingredients for a twist. Here are my suggestions: - Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan option. - Coconut aminos work well as a soy sauce substitute. - For garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon instead of fresh garlic. - You can replace fresh ginger with ground ginger. Use 1/2 teaspoon. - Any neutral oil can substitute for olive oil. Having the right tools makes cooking fun and easy. Here’s what you need: - Air fryer to cook the salmon perfectly. - Medium bowl for mixing the marinade. - Whisk to blend the marinade well. - Resealable plastic bag or shallow dish for marinating. - Small saucepan to heat the remaining marinade. - Tongs to flip the salmon with care. Using these ingredients and tools will help you make a tasty meal the whole family will love! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. You need honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Next, pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until smooth. This marinade is key for flavor. Now, take your 4 salmon fillets and place them in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the salmon, ensuring each fillet is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For more flavor, let it marinate for up to 2 hours. This step enhances the taste of the salmon, making it delicious. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Once hot, take the salmon out of the marinade. Allow any excess marinade to drip off. Arrange the fillets in the air fryer basket without them touching. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes. The salmon should be cooked through and flake easily with a fork. While it cooks, heat the remaining marinade in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken it. When the salmon is ready, drizzle the thickened marinade over the top. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy this tasty dish! To get that perfect flaky salmon, it’s key to not overcook it. The salmon should be tender and flake easily with a fork. I recommend cooking it in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 400°F. If your fillets are thicker, check them at 10 minutes. If they need more time, go in 1-minute bursts. This way, you avoid drying it out. If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! You can bake or grill the salmon too. For baking, set your oven to 400°F and bake for about 12-15 minutes. For grilling, cook on medium heat for about 6-8 minutes per side. Just remember, always check for doneness! Love a stronger flavor? Marinade your salmon longer! You can marinate it for up to 2 hours. This helps the honey and garlic soak in deeper. If you prefer a milder taste, just 30 minutes will do. Also, feel free to adjust the honey or soy sauce to suit your taste. Want it sweeter? Add more honey. Want it saltier? A splash more soy sauce will do the trick! Pro Tips Marinating Time: For the best flavor, marinate the salmon for at least 1 hour. If you can, let it sit in the marinade for up to 2 hours for maximum taste absorption. Cooking Temperature: Ensure your air fryer is preheated to 400°F (200°C) before adding the salmon. This helps achieve a nice sear and locks in moisture. Check for Doneness: Salmon is perfectly cooked when it flakes easily with a fork. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Leftover Marinade: Don’t discard the leftover marinade! Simmer it on the stove to create a flavorful sauce that can be drizzled over the cooked salmon and sides. {{image_2}} You can add a citrus twist to your honey garlic salmon. Use fresh orange or lemon juice in the marinade. The bright flavors balance the sweetness of the honey. This change makes the dish vibrant and refreshing. Simply replace one tablespoon of soy sauce with citrus juice. You’ll love the zing it brings! Adding herbs gives your salmon a fresh taste. Try fresh dill, parsley, or cilantro. Chop the herbs finely and mix them into the marinade. This addition brightens the dish and adds another layer of flavor. It’s a great way to use what you have on hand. Experiment with different herbs to find your favorite blend. For a kick of heat, mix in some red pepper flakes or sriracha. This spicy honey garlic salmon offers a fun twist. Start with a half teaspoon of red pepper flakes and adjust to your taste. The heat pairs well with the sweetness of the honey. You can also serve it with a cooling side, like cucumber salad, to balance the spice. After you enjoy your air fryer honey garlic salmon, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the salmon to room temperature first. Place it in the fridge, where it can stay fresh for up to three days. If you want to keep the flavor, store the salmon with any remaining marinade. To reheat your salmon, you can use the air fryer or the oven. If you use the air fryer, set it to 350°F (175°C). Heat the salmon for about 5 minutes. Check to see if it’s warm enough. If using the oven, wrap the salmon in foil and heat it at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This keeps the salmon moist and tasty. You can freeze the marinade before you cook the salmon. Just put it in a freezer-safe bag. It will last for up to three months. If you have cooked salmon left, you can freeze that too. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. This will help keep it fresh for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. Yes, you can use fresh salmon fillets. Fresh salmon gives the dish a great taste. Choose fillets that are bright in color and firm. If you can, buy wild-caught salmon for better flavor and health benefits. Frozen salmon works too if you thaw it first. Just make sure to pat it dry before marinating. I recommend marinating the salmon for at least 30 minutes. This time allows the flavors to soak in well. If you have more time, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours. Just be careful not to marinate too long, as the acid can change the texture of the fish. Always refrigerate it while marinating. Honey garlic salmon pairs well with many sides. Here are some ideas: - Steamed jasmine rice or quinoa - Sautéed greens like spinach or bok choy - Roasted vegetables such as broccoli or carrots - A fresh salad with a light dressing - Mashed sweet potatoes for a sweet balance Feel free to mix and match these sides to create a meal that your family will love! This post covered everything you need for perfect honey garlic salmon. We looked at key ingredients, substitutions, and tools. You learned step-by-step instructions to make it easy. I shared tips for flakiness and alternative cooking methods. We explored tasty variations and storage tips for leftovers. In conclusion, following these steps will help you make a dish everyone loves. Enjoy your cooking journey and feel confident to experiment!$

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

Delicious salmon fillets marinated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 fillets salmon (about 6 oz each)
4 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
to taste salt and pepper
2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
optional sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
Place the salmon fillets in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the top. Make sure the fillets are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the salmon fillets from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching (you may want to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer).
Air fry the salmon for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
While the salmon is cooking, you can heat the remaining marinade in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Once the salmon is done, remove it from the air fryer and drizzle the thickened marinade over the top.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if using, then serve immediately.

Notes

Serve the salmon on a bed of steamed jasmine rice or quinoa, with a side of sautéed greens. Drizzle any remaining marinade over the dish and add a lemon wedge for a fresh burst of flavor.

Keyword air fryer, healthy, honey garlic, salmon