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You’ll love this Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon that cooks in under 8 minutes! Juicy, tender, and coated in an authentic teriyaki glaze that tastes just like the ones in Japan, it’s perfect for healthy eating, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. Follow my simple tips to make salmon that’s tender, flaky, and moist—your whole family will love it!
For a sister version with smaller bites, check out my Teriyaki salmon bites with homemade gluten free teriyaki sauce!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon is a perfect choice for a healthy and easy weeknight dinner. With just 15 minutes of marinating, the salmon turns out flaky, juicy, and packed with flavor every time. Here’s everything you’ll need to make teriyaki-glazed salmon in the air fryer:
For the salmon:
- Salmon fillets: About 5.5 oz (156 g) each, 1.5 inches (4 cm) thick. You can use skin-on or skin-off fillets. Center-cut or thick-cut fillets work best for even cooking.
- Garnish: Toasted white sesame seeds and chopped scallions (or green onions) for a fresh, flavorful finish.
For teriyaki marinade sauce:
- Gluten-free soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar.
- Dietary Options: I also have a Keto teriyaki sauce and a Paleo version on the blog! These are made with coconut aminos and sweetened with monk fruit for a naturally sweet and savory flavor. See below for more details.
Tools and equipment:
- Air fryer: I’ve tested this recipe in Gourmia, Cosori, and Instant Pot Vortex 6-quart air fryers, and the same temperature and cooking time worked perfectly for all of them!
- Parchment paper or air fryer liner: Use these to line your air fryer basket—it makes cleanup so much easier.
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Tip
3 teriyaki sauces to suit your dietary needs
To marinate salmon for the air fryer, I have three teriyaki sauce recipes to choose from:
- Keto Teriyaki Sauce for keto-friendly sugar-free teriyaki salmon.
- Paleo Teriyaki Sauce for a soy-free option.
- Authentic Teriyaki Sauce for that classic Japanese flavor. (This recipe!)
- You can use any of these sauces in a 1:1 ratio without adjusting the recipe, and the best part? They’re all gluten-free!
How to cook teriyaki salmon in the air fryer?
To make the best teriyaki air fryer salmon, I recommend marinating the salmon for 20-30 minutes before air frying and using thick-cut (center-cut) fillets for even cooking:
- Make the teriyaki sauce: Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and let it simmer until slightly thickened. Cool the sauce to room temperature before using it as a marinade.
- Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a dish or container just big enough to fit them. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the fillets, skin side up, and marinate for 20-30 minutes, but no more than 1 hour to avoid altering the texture of the salmon.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Line the air fryer basket with a thin layer of parchment paper or an air fryer liner for easy cleanup.
- Air fry the salmon: Place the fillets skin side down in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 7–9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.
- Brush and serve: Transfer the salmon to a serving plate and brush the thickened sauce over the fillets. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions, if desired.
Tip: Salmon fillets come in all shapes and sizes. Thicker cuts may need a longer cooking time, so adjust accordingly.
Trouble shoot
Help! My salmon sticks to the air fryer basket
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or an air fryer liner for easy cleanup.
- Use skin-on salmon fillets to protect the delicate flesh.
- Always place the salmon skin side down. This way, even if it sticks, the skin will protect the meaty part from tearing.
Can I make it in an oven or on the stovetop?
Stovetop method:
- Pan-sear the salmon flesh side down in a hot pan for 4–6 minutes. Flip the fillets, cover the pan, and turn off the heat. Let the fish sit in the hot pan for about 5 minutes for 1-inch-thick fillets, or 8 minutes for 1.25–1.5-inch-thick fillets. Brush with more teriyaki sauce before serving.
Oven method:
- Similar to my Whole30 Baked Salmon recipe, roast the salmon at 400°F (204°C) for 10–14 minutes. Check for doneness after 10 minutes, as cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
make-ahead, store, and reheat
- Make-Ahead: Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon is perfect for make-ahead meals! Marinate the salmon fillets in teriyaki sauce and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour before cooking. You can also prepare the teriyaki sauce up to 2 weeks in advance and keep it in the fridge.
- Storage: Once cooked, store the salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 3 days.
- Reheat: Cooked salmon tastes great cold—try it in a smoked salmon salad or crispy rice sushi. If you prefer it warm, reheat in the microwave at medium power for about 1 minute.
What does teriyaki salmon go with?
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon is a healthy, flavorful protein that pairs beautifully with a variety of vegetables and rice dishes. Here are some meal-planning ideas:
- Side dishes: Pair the salmon with Chinese smashed cucumber salad, Chinese broccoli stir fry with garlic sauce, or even quick frozen broccoli in air fryer.
- Rice options: Make it a hearty meal with shirataki fried rice, air fryer rice, or my air fryer fried rice recipe!
Looking for more inspiration? Download my air fryer cooking times guide for even more air fryer recipe ideas.
Umami tips
- Selection of Fillets: Choose thicker-cut (center-cut) salmon fillets with similar sizes and thickness for even cooking. Aim for fillets that are 1.25–1.5 inches thick for the best results.
- Marination Timing: Marinate the salmon for 20–30 minutes and no more than 1 hour. This is the sweet spot to infuse flavor without compromising the texture of the fish.
- Don’t Skip Lining the Basket: Always line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or an air fryer liner to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Cook Skin Side Down: Place the salmon fillets skin side down in the air fryer. This protects the delicate flesh and prevents sticking, even if some parts of the skin adhere to the liner.
- Brush with More Sauce After Cooking: For a beautiful glaze and extra flavor, brush the fillets with thickened teriyaki sauce after cooking, not before. This prevents the sauce from burning in the air fryer.
FAQs
Yes, you can! However, make sure the fillets are fully thawed before marinating them in the teriyaki sauce. Thawed salmon ensures even cooking and allows the marinade to penetrate better, making the dish more flavorful.
Always place the salmon fillets skin-side down when air frying. This allows the skin to crisp up while protecting the delicate flesh from direct heat, keeping it juicy and tender.
Cook salmon at 400°F (204°C) for 7–9 minutes. Check for doneness at 7 minutes to avoid overcooking and achieve the best texture and flavor.
More Air fryer salmon recipes
Looking for more delicious ways to cook salmon in your air fryer? Here are some reader favorites that are quick, easy, and packed with flavor:
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites: Tender, bite-sized salmon pieces with a crispy coating and a flavorful creamy caper chive sauce.
- Soy Ginger Glazed Salmon: A savory-sweet salmon dish with a hint of zingy ginger, perfect for any weeknight meal.
- Bang Bang Salmon Bites: Crispy salmon bites tossed in a creamy, tangy bang bang sauce that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Air fryer frozen salmon: A no-thaw recipe for perfectly cooked salmon straight from the freezer.
Air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe
Ingredients
Gluten-free teriyaki sauce: (makes 1 cup)
- ½ cup gluten-free mirin
- ½ cup gluten-free sake
- ½ cup gluten-free soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
For the salmon:
- 3 piece salmon fillets 5.5 oz each, 1.5 inches thick at the thickest point
- Garnish Toasted white sesame seeds optional
- 1 bulb scallion chopped
Instructions
Make teriyaki sauce:
- Combine the mirin, sake, soy sauce, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature—it will thicken further as it cools, becoming glossy and slightly viscous. Set aside.
Marinate the salmon:
- In a small baking tray or casserole dish that snugly fits the salmon, pour ⅓ cup (80 ml) of the teriyaki sauce over the fillets. Place the salmon skin side up and marinate for 20-30 minutes but no more than 1 hour to avoid altering the texture of the salmon.
Air fry the salmon:
- Line your air fryer basket with a thin layer of parchment paper or an air fryer liner.
- Slightly drip off the excess marinade from the fillets and place them skin side down in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece. Discard the marinade.
- Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 7–9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your appliance.
- For medium-rare: ~7 minutes. For medium: ~8 minutes
- The salmon is ready when the thickest part is nearly opaque and flakes easily, with a slight translucency in the center. Use a sharp knife or fork to check, or measure the internal temperature—it should reach 120°F (49°C).
Serve:
- Transfer the salmon to a platter and brush with more teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds (if using) and scallions. Remove the skin before serving, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For Keto or Paleo/Whole30:
- Use my Keto Teriyaki Sauce or Paleo Teriyaki Sauce.
- Both versions use added thickener. Do not add the thickener when marinating the fish. If you want a thicker sauce, use the remaining sauce (not used for marinating) as a glaze for serving.
- Salmon selection: Choose fillets with similar thickness for even cooking.
- Marinate time: Marinate the salmon, skin-side up, for 20-30 minutes or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Stovetop method:
- Marinate the salmon as written.
- Heat a 12-inch (30 cm) nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil until it shimmers.
- Place the salmon flesh side down in the pan, then immediately reduce the heat to medium. Cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 4–6 minutes.
- Carefully flip the fillets with a wide spatula. Cover the pan and remove it from the heat. Let it stand until the thickest part of the fillets is 120°F (49°C) or nearly opaque, about:
- 5 minutes for 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick fillets.
- 8 minutes for 1.25–1.5 inch (3–4 cm) thick fillets.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made a dish and loved it? Please rate the recipe and leave a comment in the section below! It helps my blog grow organically, allowing me to continue sharing free and awesome content with you. Thank you!
This was so delicious! ย Iโm doing Whole30 and made the teriyaki, but used date syrup and coconut aminos. ย Added 1tsp of tapioca flour and cooked the sauce. ย Really good and easy. ย I have 1/2 a jar in the freezer for another meal.ย
We loved the salmon. ย I definitely would have gone with 7 minutes, any more than that and it was too done. ย
Yum! ย Going on repeat!
Your recipes are the absolute best!!!! This is exactly what I was looking for. Delicious and healthy. Thank you so much!ย
Thank you so much!
Wow!!! Super easy recipe and so delicious!!! I ate this for dinner for a whole week, my husband loved it too. Canโt wait to make it again
ย Iโm still dreaming about itย
Absolutely delicious and easy.ย
My 11yo loved it and is already asking for me to make it again.ย
I had to cook it for an additional 4 min but I had 3 really large pieces.ย
That’s awesome. I’m so happy to hear!
This was delicious!! I got an air fryer for Christmas and was looking for a salmon recipe for Lent, this will go in my regular weekly rotation. So easy and delicious!ย
I don’t have an air fryer so I wish you gave directions for an optional cooking method. I’m going to wing it on the stove.
This looks amazing!
Hey, the stovetop method is in my NOTES section.
This was so simple and so delicious! ย My son, who is a little picky, absolutely loved it.
So happy to hear!