This air fryer teriyaki salmon is a tasty dish that is super easy to make. It comes together in 13 minutes. Teriyaki salmon air fryer is covered in a homemade teriyaki sauce, and then air fried to perfection. The result is a nice color on the outside with a moist and flakey interior.
It is great for busy weeknights because it's done in less than 30 minutes, from start to finish. The salmon cooks in the air fryer for just 8 minutes. And the teriyaki sauce can be made while the salmon is cooking. Easy cleanup too!
There is something about teriyaki sauce that just makes everything taste better. It is definitely one of my favorite sauces. My homemade teriyaki sauce really takes this recipe over the top. My kids just devour anything with my quick homemade teriyaki sauce.
If you are looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal, then you need to try this teriyaki salmon air fryer recipe!
Why We Love This Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
My family loves salmon, and we especially love it when it is cooked in the air fryer. Here's why you'll love this air fryer salmon teriyaki recipe too!
- Fun for the whole family - I get them to assemble their own bowls, which is fun and easy for everyone. Kids love making their own decisions and it's a great way to try new options.
- Packed with protein - Salmon is a great source of protein, so this recipe is perfect for a quick, healthy dinner.
- Versatile - Don’t have an air fryer? No problem. You can pan fry the salmon and put the sauce on top.
Don't have an air fryer? Here is how to pan-fry Teriyaki Salmon
In a large frying pan, sear your salmon until you have a great sear. Flip it, add the sauce, and you have a delicious meal ready in 6 minutes.
I find that using air fryer is still the best and easiest way to cook salmon. I love my air fryer. I use Instant Pot Pro Vortex. I opt for an air fryer with no basket as we are a family of 4 (3 boys and me) and all big eaters. I like that it has a rack, which is the perfect size for us. This appliance is a game-changer, especially in the summer when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Spring salmon - I used fresh Spring salmon for this recipe, but you could also use frozen salmon. If using frozen salmon, just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. Feel free to use whichever salmon you like, but I love Spring and the Atlantic. If you want to splurge, this is amazing with Steelhead.
- Soy sauce - I would use low sodium soy sauce for this recipe, or tamari as a gluten-free option.
- Mirin - This is a sweetened Japanese seasoning that is typically used to make sushi rice and other amazing Japanese dishes.
- Sake - you can buy sake for as little as $12 at the liquor store and it will make you enough homemade teriyaki marinade for the year.
- Honey - You can use 3 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener, white sugar, or brown sugar. I sometimes use brown sugar because of the molasses flavor I love in teriyaki sauces.
PRO TIP: To prevent honey from sticking to the measuring cup, lightly spray with oil, then put the honey in. The honey won’t stick anymore.
- Fresh garlic and ginger - Please do not use the powder stuff. Fresh is best ALWAYS.
- Sesame oil - An essential ingredient in Asian dishes, so don't skip this.
- Black pepper - To taste
- Avocado oil or olive oil - For brushing
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Cutting board
- Knife
- bowls
- Air fryer - huge fan of the Instant Pot Vortex Pro*
- Parchment paper or foil
How to Make Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer
Making air fryer teriyaki salmon is super simple. Basically, you just need to make the sauce, air fryer the salmon for 5 minutes, drizzle some of the sauce, and broil for the last 2 minutes and you're done. Here are the detailed step-by-step instructions.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- In a small pan, combine the teriyaki sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch slurry. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the sake has cooked off. About 5-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl make the cornstarch slurry and add it to the teriyaki sauce. This should thicken up the sauce and give it a glossy texture.
- While the teriyaki sauce is doing its thing. Prepare the salmon. Cut into cubes, and spray with a little oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper and arrange it on your air fryer tray or air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. Air fry for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle some teriyaki sauce on top and broil for another 2 minutes. Remove the salmon and serve with freshly steamed rice.
- Drizzle more teriyaki sauce on the salmon and on the rice for extra flavor. Enjoy!
Tips
- For easy clean up, line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper.
- Double the teriyaki sauce for future uses. It is a very versatile sauce. Use it for stir fries and noodles.
Garnish Ideas for Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Fillets
- Sesame seeds or nori (seaweed pieces)
- Crispy garlic
- Green onions
Tips for Making Teriyaki Salmon
As a timesaver, you can use bottled teriyaki sauce. I would highly recommend you make a large batch of my homemade teriyaki sauce. You can use it throughout the week for stir-fries, side dishes, and my other recipes like Teriyaki Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. It last 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.
What To Serve With Teriyaki Salmon Air fryer
The options are endless. Here are some of my favorites.
- Plain white jasmine rice
- Edamame beans or any steamed vegetables
- Brown Rice
- Garlic Fried Rice
- Garlic Chili Oil
- Braised Kale
Here are some more easy air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon FAQs
To avoid overcooking your salmon, air fry it at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes total. Do not overcook, or the salmon will be dry.
Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer
Simple recipe, with big flavors. This Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer is the best salmon dish ever. It is great for busy weeknights, ready in 20 minutes or less. Salmon cooks in 8 minutes.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Ingredients
8oz salmon filets cut into cubes
Teriyaki sauce: makes 1 cup
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup water
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp sake
2 smashed garlic cloves
1" ginger smashed
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water)
¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- In a small pan, combine the teriyaki sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch slurry. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the sake has cooked off. About 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl make the cornstarch slurry and add it to the teriyaki sauce. This should thicken up the sauce and give it a glossy texture.
- While the teriyaki sauce is doing its thing. Prepare the salmon. Cut into cubes, and spray with a little oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper and arrange it on your air fryer tray or air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. Air fry for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle some teriyaki sauce on top and broil for another 2 minutes. Remove the salmon and serve with freshly steamed rice.
- Drizzle more teriyaki sauce on the salmon and on the rice for extra flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
For easy cleanup, line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper.
Garnish ideas: sesame seeds or nori (seaweed pieces), green onions
Notes: Store the Teriyaki sauce for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: japanese
Alma says
Can i use the teriyaki sauce on other meat options?
Eve says
Sticky umami! best with any sides but for me fried rice is best haha
Mary Kocerka says
Any time salmon is involved, it has to be delicious. Bite size is a great idea with the easy- to -make-sauce. I did not change a thing.