Getting tired of cooking your salmon the same way every time? Air fryer teriyaki salmon is the next recipe for you to try out!
It is a simple and delicious way to cook salmon with a homemade teriyaki sauce that is sweet, savory, and tangy. The air fryer makes the salmon crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while the teriyaki sauce adds a rich and glossy glaze.
Topped with sesame seeds and spring onion, this salmon pairs well with all sorts of delicious sides, such as with rice, noodles, and/or steamed vegetables, to be your next tasty dinner!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this teriyaki salmon in the air fryer recipe.
Besides the salmon, it’s just the ingredients for the homemade teriyaki sauce! It may look like a lot, but it’s really easy to make:
- Salmon fillets – Fresh salmon fillets with skin that are roughly the same size and thickness.
- Soy sauce – Choose a lower sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
- Apple cider vinegar – Not a traditional teriyaki sauce ingredient, but usually readily available. Adds a tangy and slightly sweet taste. Use mirin and sake for a truly authentic flavor.
- Grated ginger – Provides a fresh, aromatic kick. Use fresh ginger for the best flavor.
- Minced garlic – Adds depth of flavor. Use fresh garlic.
- Olive oil – Optional; helps prevent sticking and adds a touch of richness. Not a traditional ingredient. Alternatively, you can use sesame oil.
- Cornstarch – To thicken the sauce.
- Brown sugar – Balances the flavors in the teriyaki sauce. Alternatively, use regular granulated sugar.
- Black pepper – Adds a subtle hint of spice.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
Before you tackle this air fryer salmon teriyaki recipe, have a read through these tips so that you end up with delicious results:
- Use fresh salmon fillets of uniform size and thickness to ensure even cooking. Keep in mind that wild salmon tends to cook slightly faster than farmed salmon due to its lower fat content.
- For best results, marinate the salmon for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
- You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce instead of making your own. However, we really recommend marinating the salmon fillets before cooking for the best flavor, which is easier if you make your own sauce (you can’t really “marinate” them in the store-bought sauce and would have to make the marinade from scratch anyway).
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Otherwise, the salmon may not cook evenly.
- Don’t overcook the salmon as this can dry it out, but make sure it is cooked through. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step by Step Instructions
Here we will show you exactly how to make this air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe. This section has all the recipe process photos so that you can follow along as you cook at home.
The recipe cards with more relevant details about the recipe can still be found at the bottom of this post.
Start by making the teriyaki sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, oil, brown sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and black pepper.
Set half of the mixture aside for later.
Pour the remaining mixture into a shallow dish (if you haven’t already done so), add the salmon fillets, skin side up, and marinate for 15 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cut out a piece of parchment paper that fits the size of your air fryer basket.
Carefully transfer the salmon fillets, skin side up, to the parchment paper-lined air fryer tray and discard the marinade.
Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7 minutes.
While the salmon is cooking, make the sauce with the rest of the mixture you set aside earlier.
Heat the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat.
In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in about 2 tablespoons of water and stir well.
Add the starch mixture to the sauce and whisk constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep warm.
After 7 minutes, flip the salmon fillets over and brush them generously with the sauce (you don’t need to use it all).
Air fry for another 4 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Serve the air fryer teriyaki salmon hot, drizzled with more glaze if desired. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds and/or green onions on top. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you do have any salmon left over, allow it to cool and then store it in a sealed container or wrapped in foil in the fridge.
It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days but is definitely best enjoyed sooner rather than later.
You can reheat this salmon in the air fryer for just a few minutes at 280 degrees Fahrenheit – just watch the salmon so that the top doesn’t caramelize too much and burn!
You also don’t want to overcook the salmon as this can dry it out.
FAQ
Here’s an answer to a frequently asked question about making teriyaki salmon:
Combine the marinade ingredients and marinate the salmon fillets. Place the salmon in the air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. Meanwhile, make the sauce with the rest of the marinade on the stove, then flip the salmon in the air fryer and coat it with teriyaki sauce. Cook for another 4 minutes or until the salmon flakes with a fork and is cooked thoroughly. Remove and serve hot!
Related Recipes
If this teriyaki salmon has you dreaming of more salmon, here are some other air fryer salmon recipes that you might want to try out next!
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Classic Air Fried Salmon
- Salmon Bites in the Air Fryer
- Salmon Burgers Air Fried
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 salmon fillets
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, alternatively sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce, except for the cornstarch. Set aside half of the mixture for later.1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the remaining mixture into a shallow dish, add the salmon fillets, skin side up, and marinate for 15 minutes.3 salmon fillets
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cut out a piece of parchment paper that fits the size of your air fryer basket.
- Carefully transfer the salmon fillets, skin side up, to the parchment paper-lined air fryer tray and discard the marinade. Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7 minutes.
- While the salmon is cooking, make the sauce with the rest of the mixture you set aside earlier. In a small saucepan, heat the mixture over medium heat. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in about 2 tablespoons of water and stir well. Add the starch mixture to the sauce and whisk constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep warm.1 tablespoon cornstarch
- After 7 minutes, flip the salmon fillets over and brush them generously with sauce. Air fry for another 4 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the air fryer teriyaki salmon hot, drizzled with more sauce if desired. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds and/or green onions on top.
Notes
- Use fresh salmon fillets of uniform size and thickness to ensure even cooking. Keep in mind that wild salmon tends to cook slightly faster than farmed salmon due to its lower fat content.
- For best results, marinate the salmon in the teriyaki sauce for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Otherwise, the salmon may not cook evenly.
- Don’t overcook the salmon as this can dry it out, but make sure it is fully cooked. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
