Craving smoked salmon? This air fryer smoked salmon delivers rich smoked flavor without a smoker. Made with liquid smoke, it’s fast, easy, and perfect for weeknight meals.
When I’m craving smoked salmon but don’t want to deal with the time or equipment that real smoking requires, this air fryer smoked salmon is what I make.
It started as a simple experiment using liquid smoke, and I was surprised by how well it worked. The flavor hits that familiar smoky note, and the air fryer keeps the salmon tender without much effort.
It’s now one of my go-to recipes when I want something quick that still feels a bit special.
What you need to make air fryer smoked salmon
- Salmon fillet – we use chinook (king) salmon
- Liquid smoke – this is strong stuff, a little goes a long way
- Sugar – adds to the flavor and color
- Salt – balances the smoky flavor
Tips for making air fryer smoked salmon
- While fresh or frozen salmon both work, we generally use frozen, defrosted in the fridge.
- Keep the marinade brief so the liquid smoke doesn’t overpower the fish. Five minutes is enough to flavor the salmon.
- Thicker fillets may need a couple of extra minutes in the air fryer, while thinner pieces cook faster.
- Using parchment paper makes cleanup easier and prevents sticking.
Serving suggestions
For dinner, we serve this smoked salmon as we would any cooked fish. For a colorful plate, we serve it with brown rice or turmeric coconut rice. We also add either a green vegetable, such as Vietnamese zucchini, or a white one, such as tahini-roasted cauliflower. In summer, we might substitute the sides for coleslaw and potato salad.
At lunch or breakfast time, we enjoy the leftover air fryer smoked salmon cold, either on a bagel, on a salad, or alongside scrambled eggs.
Read next: Jewish Whitefish Salad Recipe with Simple Ingredients
Air fryer smoked salmon
Air fryer smoked salmon made with liquid smoke gives you bold flavor without smoking. Fast, simple, and perfect for easy meals.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces salmon fillet
- ¼ tsp liquid smoke
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
- Mix liquid smoke, salt, sugar, and water together in a bowl until dissolved.
- Dredge the salmon, skin side first, through the smoke marinade.
- Flip the salmon and dredge the rest through the marinade to coat all the surfaces.
- Lay salmon fillet, skin side up, in the marinade for 5 minutes.
- Place the fillet in the air fryer on parchment paper, skin side down, and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12 -14 minutes, depending on thickness. Add 2-3 minutes if partially frozen.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 360mgCarbohydrates: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 31g
Nutritional information isn't always accurate and it will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
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