Air Fryer Honey Soy Marinated Salmon

Name: Air Fryer Honey Soy Marinated Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 3 tablespoons soy sauce ((or tamari)); 1 large garlic clove ((finely diced)); 2 tablespoons honey; 14 ounces salmon fillet ((400g, or two smaller fillets))

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This Asian inspired salmon recipe is quick and easy to prep and cook for a delicious and healthy weeknight dinner. Sweet and salty, this honey soy marinated salmon is cooked to flaky perfection in the air fryer.

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We do try to eat fish at least a couple of times a week. It's a great source of low fat protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals. I also love how quick to cook it is!

This air fryer honey soy marinated salmon recipe comes together in a few minutes and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight family dinner. The sticky marinade forms a flavorful rich glaze on the salmon fillet when it is air fried for a great tasting fish dish.

Be sure to try my Air fryer Salmon with Vegetables and Potatoes and Air Fryer Shrimp too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Simple ingredients: You only need 5 ingredients to make this recipe
Healthy: Salmon is low in fat, high in protein and low in carbs. With lashings of omega3s, it's great to include in a well balanced diet.
Quick: Ready to serve in just 20 minutes!
Dietary info: This air fryer honey soy salmon is dairy-free, gluten-free and keto friendly.

Air fryer honey soy salmon on a wooden chopping board.

Ingredients

Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nice nutty flavor. Oil helps to cook the fish evenly and helps the flavors of the marinade to penetrate the flesh.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavor.
Garlic: Finley dice a garlic clove for the strongest flavor.
Honey: Honey adds a nice sweetness and balances out the saltiness of the soy.
Salmon: I prefer to use fresh rather than frozen salmon for this recipe. If you use frozen, make sure you thaw it fully before marinating. Depending on the thickness of your salmon, the cooking times may vary slightly.

How to make air fried honey soy salmon

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Marinate the salmon fillet (photo 1).
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket (photo 2).
Cook til the salmon is flaky and tender (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

To make this air fried honey soy salmon gluten-free and lower in sodium, you can use Tamari sauce instead of soy sauce.

If you don't have sesame oil, vegetable, canola or avocado we work well, you just won't get that nutty flavor.

Try adding some chili flakes or fresh ginger for a different flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you oven bake it?

I love how quick and easy it is to cook salmon in the air fryer. The air fryer doesn't require a long preheat, cooks quicker and is cheaper to run. It also produces such tasty results, slightly crispy on the outside and perfectly juicy and flakey flesh.

Oven baking will work well, but you will need to add an additional 5 minutes to the cooking time. Temperature remains the same.

How long should you marinate salmon for?

Because this marinade doesn't have any citrus and is low in acid, you can marinate it safely for up to 6 hours. If you are in a real hurry, a 10 minute marinade will impart good flavor. I find that 30 minutes to an hour works wonderfully.

If you are marinating fish or seafood in a citrusy sauce, then it's best not to marinade for more than 30 minutes as the acid can start to break down the flesh of the fish, making it mushy.

Which is better, skin on or skin off salmon fillet?

I prefer to cook salmon with the skin on. It adds more flavor and helps to protect the delicate flesh from the heat. If you don't enjoy eating the skin, it is easily removed after cooking.

Honey and soy marinated salmon served with Asian broccoli.

Serving Suggestions

Honey soy marinated salmon is great to serve with veggies and / or rice for a healthy and well balanced meal. Try it with some of these favorites:

Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating

You can marinate the salmon for up to 6 hours before you want to cook it. Keep it covered and refrigerated.

Once cooked, the salmon will keep well for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. It can be enjoyed cold with salads, or reheat it in the air fryer at 360F / 180c for 3 to 5 minutes to arm it through.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Pat the salmon dry with kitchen paper before marinating it. This will stop it from becoming mushy when it cooks and
Brush the garlic off of the salmon before cooking it in the air fryer, it will burn if left on the fish.
Don't be tempted to cook this at a higher temperature. It will cook quicker, but the honey soy glaze is likely to burn and the salmon can dry out.
The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the salmon. Check it at around 13 minutes if your salmon is thinner.

A piece of air fried salmon served on a plate with broccoli.

This Asian honey soy salmon recipe is so quick and easy to make and comes out perfectly in the air fryer. With rich sweet and salty flavors, pair it with your favorite Chinese sides for a healthy homemade family dinner.

More Easy Air Fryer Dinners

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