This Asian Salmon Air Fryer is my go-to healthy meal during the week. It's quick, easy to make and doesn't require a ton of ingredients. Cooking it in the air fryer, makes it tender inside and creates a nice crust.
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This will be one of many salmon rice bowls recipe I will be sharing here because they are so dang good! This Asian Salmon recipe is not only tasty, but it's such an easy recipe to make as well!
The perfectly balanced flavors of slightly sweet and savory, with a little bit of heat, make this dish glorious at every bite. The sauce features simple ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger. It is so effortless, combine and air fry.
Don't have an air fryer? Use your oven! It will take longer than 12 minutes, but it will still come out perfect. Ideal for busy weeknights because this simple Asian salmon recipe is a quick and healthy dinner
Don't let the garlic chili sauce (chili oil) scare you, you can control the spice level - just full of umami flavor. Feel free to make it as spicy as you want. This is your salmon, not mine.
If you're hosting a dinner party, this makes a great appetizer or main course. It's always a big hit with salmon lovers! But what I really love about this recipe is that it's so healthy and packed with protein. Salmon is such a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health.
If you're looking for more Asian salmon recipes, try out my timeless Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutions
All the ingredients in this healthy recipe are quite accessible. You can get them at any grocery store.
- Spring salmon - For Asian-style salmon, you can use any cut of salmon. Sockeye tends to be the fishiest so I like to go for the Atlantic or Spring for that nice salmon taste. I prefer to use fresh salmon over previously frozen.
- Garlic, fresh ginger & green onions - Aromatics are the backbone of my recipes. They give so much flavor that cannot be replicated. I highly recommend not leaving these out.
- Soy sauce - I used low-sodium soy sauce. Use any type of soy sauce you want such as Tamari for my gluten-free pals.
- Lemon juice - Lime juice or rice vinegar would work. Anything acidic and tangy for this Asian salmon marinade.
- Honey - The Asian-inspired sauce wouldn't be the same without a touch of sweetness. You can use any sweetener you want: brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
- Chili oil - I use my own Garlic Chili Oil for this recipe, however, use whatever chili oil you have. If you don't have chili oil, use red pepper flakes or even sambal and sriracha sauces. However, chili oil is preferable.
- Sesame oil - Sesame oil has such a distinct flavor that's hard to replicate. If you don't have any on hand, you could leave it out.
Asian Salmon Oven Baking Time
Not everyone has an air fryer. It's crazy, but air fryers tend to take up a ton of space. I get it!
The salmon can be cooked in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Use a sheet pan and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
How to serve Asian salmon recipe
- Brown rice or white rice - I like to keep it simple and serve this over a bed of rice and steamed vegetables. You could also get fancy and make a sushi rice bowl! But, really any type of rice will work great.
- Cauliflower rice - If you want to lighten up the meal, then use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles in place of the traditional grain. Both are delicious options that are low in carbs but still tasty!
- Green beans or any steamed or sauteed vegetables - Keep it healthy and add in some extra vegetables. You could steam or saute some broccoli, green beans, or asparagus to serve on the side.
- Simple green salad or my cucumber salad recipe - This would be a great side dish because it's light, refreshing, and has a similar flavor profile to the salmon.
How to store and reheat
I would highly suggest you make a huge batch, as the leftover salmon is so good. I love doing the @emilymariko salmon with seaweed trick on TikTok. It is so satisfying.
To store, use an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
You can use a microwave when you're ready to reheat, but the salmon might dry out a bit. I prefer using the frying pan method.
Asian Salmon Air Fryer - ready in 12 minutes
This Asian Salmon recipe is so good! I am not just saying that. The perfectly balanced flavors make this dish glorious at every bite. It is so easy to make, just combine and air fry. Don't have an air fryer? Use your oven! It will take longer than 12 minutes but it will still come out delicious.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: makes 4 salmon fillets 1x
- Category: main
- Method: air fry or bake
- Cuisine: asian
Ingredients
16 ounces Spring Salmon (4 fillets)
2 cloves of garlic
1 stalk of green onions (white and green separated)
2 tsp of julienned ginger
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp chili oil* (plus more for serving)
1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Prep your salmon. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prep ingredients. Mince the garlic, julienne the ginger, and slice the green onions.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and combine.
- Marinate the salmon for 10 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer or oven to 375 degrees. Line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper.
- Place your salmon fillets and put the sauce on top.
- Air fry at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes for that gorgeous crust on the top.
- Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*You can use any chili oil or chili crisp
Melinda says
I made this tonight with a side of pan fried bok choy. I reserved a bit of the sauce to pour over my veggies which I pan fried in sesame oil and some sesame ginger seasoning blend. Delicious! I wasn't sure why the green and whites of the onions were separated, but I threw them all in the sauce and it turned out perfectly! 12 minutes was exactly the right amount of time for perfectly cooked salmon!
Melinda says
what is the point of separating the white and greens of the onions? They all go in the bowl together...
Carmen Spillette says
I like to use the white part in the salmon and garnish with the green part. You don't have to do that. I am glad it worked out.
Kate says
Thank you for this great recipe! easy to follow instructions. Even our children, who don't care for cooked salmon, really liked it.
Carmen Spillette says
This makes me so happy! Thank you so much!
Irene says
Love your easy ingredients recipes like this cuz its already in the kitchen haha
Blanche says
Easy😋
Norma says
Easiest salmon i had, i think every home has the ingredients already which is an advantage for all. nice nice nice
Flo says
Carmen's recipes are delicious and easy to follow, gotta try this new one hehe
Amei says
I marinate it overnight, Love it! doing it again next week haha
Amaia says
That garnish of sesame seeds and roasted seaweed definitely levels it up.