Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Ninja Foodi Recipe)

This air fryer frozen salmon gives you a flavorful dinner straight from the freezer, with no thawing first. The salmon cooks up tender and flaky, then gets finished with Cajun garlic butter for a rich, savory garlic-butter coating.

I make this frozen salmon in my Ninja Foodi, and the same method works in the Ninja Crispi and other air fryers. Add air fryer green beans, lemon orzo pasta, or air fryer broccoli to turn it into an easy seafood dinner.

What I especially like about this method is that you don’t have to choose between convenience and good texture. Starting at a lower temperature gives the frozen center time to cook before the higher heat finishes the salmon, so it’s easier to get a moist, flaky center without drying out the outside.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No thawing needed: You can take the salmon straight from the freezer and have dinner on the table in less than half an hour.
• Tender, flaky salmon: The two-temperature method gives the frozen center time to cook through before the outside gets too far ahead.
• Big flavor with very little work: My Cajun garlic butter adds a rich, buttery garlic finish without adding a complicated prep step.
• Easy to use in different meals: Serve the salmon as an entrée with your favorite sides, add it to a salad or pasta, or flake leftovers into wraps and sandwiches.

Ingredients Needed

The exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Frozen salmon fillets: I use 5- to 6-ounce skin-on salmon fillets and cook them directly from frozen.
• Olive oil: Helps coat the salmon before the first cook.
• Cajun garlic butter sauce: I finish the salmon with my Cajun garlic butter sauce. For a milder option, you can swap it with my lemon garlic butter sauce.
• Sea salt: Seasons the salmon.
• Black pepper: Adds a little extra flavor.

You can also use my salmon seasoning in place of the salt and black pepper.

How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

Coat the frozen salmon

Brush the tops of the frozen salmon fillets with olive oil. Season them with salt and black pepper, then place them skin-side down in the air fryer basket.

Start at 375°F

Air fry the salmon at 375°F for 7 minutes. This gives the frozen center a head start before you add the garlic butter and increase the heat.

Add the Cajun garlic butter

Brush half of the melted Cajun garlic butter over the salmon.

Finish at 400°F

Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook for another 7 to 9 minutes. Start checking smaller or thinner fillets toward the beginning of the range.

Finish with more garlic butter

Remove the salmon once the center is cooked through and flakes easily. Spoon the remaining Cajun garlic butter over the top before serving.

Tips for the Best Frozen Salmon

• Pay attention to thickness: Salmon fillets can weigh about the same but still have very different thicknesses. Use the cooking time as a guide and check the thickest part before removing yours from the air fryer.
• Use parchment for easier cleanup: I like to line my air fryer basket with parchment so the salmon doesn’t stick and cleanup is easier. Instead of cutting parchment to fit, I use these 8-inch parchment cake rounds, which fit my air fryer basket well.
• Keep the skin side down: There’s no need to flip the salmon while it cooks.
• Let the salmon rest: Give it about 5 minutes after cooking before serving. This gives the fish a chance to settle and helps keep the center moist and flaky.
• Season it well: Salmon can handle plenty of flavor. Use the salt and black pepper in the recipe, or replace them with my salmon seasoning. I also like a generous squeeze of fresh lemon over the finished salmon.
• Change the garlic butter: Use lemon garlic butter instead of Cajun garlic butter when you want a different flavor without changing the cooking method.
• Adjust for your air fryer: Air fryers cook a little differently, so thinner fillets may finish sooner while thicker pieces may need another minute or two.
• Starting with thawed salmon? Use my air fryer salmon recipe instead. Its shorter cooking method is designed for fresh or thawed fillets.

Ninja Foodi and Ninja Crispi Frozen Salmon

I originally developed this recipe in my Ninja Foodi, which is why you’ll see Ninja Foodi in the recipe name. I use the same temperatures and cooking method for frozen salmon in the Ninja Crispi, so you don’t need separate Crispi instructions.

For either appliance, the thickness of your salmon is more important than changing the recipe for the air fryer model. Check smaller pieces early and give thicker fillets a little more time when needed.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

I usually build the rest of the meal around how hearty I want dinner to be.

• Quick air fryer dinner: Make air fryer green beans or air fryer broccoli once the salmon comes out.
• Salmon and pasta: Add lemon orzo pasta for an easy pasta side with plenty of lemon flavor.
• Simple vegetable dinner: Add asparagus, a salad, or another easy vegetable side when you want to keep the rest of the meal light.
• More air fryer seafood: Browse my air fryer seafood recipes for more salmon, shrimp, scallops, and other seafood recipes made in the air fryer.

Storage and Reheating

• Store: Keep leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Air fry at 350°F just until warmed through. Check it early so the salmon doesn’t dry out.

FAQs

More Salmon Recipes

If your salmon isn’t frozen or you want a different way to prepare it, here are a few options:

• Fresh or thawed salmon: My air fryer salmon is the better starting point.
• Bite-sized salmon: Make air fryer salmon bites for bowls or an easy main dish.
• Oven-baked salmon: Try my lemon garlic baked salmon when you’d rather use the oven.
• Crispy skin salmon: Make my crispy skin salmon when you want a stovetop option with crisp skin.

You can also browse my salmon recipes or broader seafood recipes for more ideas.