Blackened Salmon, Air Fryer

also called air fryer salmon · blackened salmon in the air fryer · basket salmon · cajun air fryer salmon

Also written for the plain way (3 to wash).

The table

Written for a preheated 5.7 L basket. From cold, add three minutes. Time tracks thickness here, not weight.
2 Tbssweet paprikastir the blackening spice on a platepress one face into it, spice side uproast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 10–14 min, one layercook to 52°C (125°F) at the thickest part, read at ten minutessqueeze the lemon over, out of the basket
2 tspgarlic powder
1 tspdried thyme
1/2 tspcayenne
1 tspblack pepper
2 tspkosher salt
4(6 oz / 170 g each, 1 1/2 in thick; skin on)salmon fillets
1/2(cut in wedges)lemon
Three credible sources give three finish temperatures — 52°C, 55°C and 63°C. This file cooks to 52°C and says whose.
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.11 things to get out.

Pans and tools

Before anything else

2stir the blackening spice on a plate

3press one face into it, spice side up

goes in with what step 2 made

6squeeze the lemon over, out of the basket

goes in with what step 5 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 12 min4 of 5 steps give no time
Needs you
none given
If you get it wrong
Narrow — 52°C (125°F) is medium-rare; by 63°C (145°F) the albumin squeezes out white between the flakes and nothing puts it back
What you'll wash
Two things — the basket, the plate the spice was pressed on
Does it keep
2 days — cold it is a salad, warmed it is dry; flake it into something rather than reheating the fillet

  1. stir the blackening spice on a plate

    not timedfrom the start

  2. press one face into it, spice side up

    not timedfrom the start

  3. roast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 10–14 min, one layer

    12 minwalk awayfrom the start

  4. cook to 52°C (125°F) at the thickest part, read at ten minutes

    not timed12 min in

  5. squeeze the lemon over, out of the basket

    not timed12 min in

You'll need air fryer basket · plate

See how it is written
>> title: Blackened Salmon, Air Fryer
>> category: Smoked & Grilled
>> tags: salmon, fish, air fryer, basket, cajun, blackened
>> counters: The Air Fryer & the Pot
>> dish: blackened-salmon
>> kit: Air Fryer
>> aka: air fryer salmon, blackened salmon in the air fryer, basket salmon, cajun air fryer salmon
>> servings: 4
>> time: 25 min
>> slack: narrow — 52°C (125°F) is medium-rare; by 63°C (145°F) the albumin squeezes out white between the flakes and nothing puts it back
>> washing-up: the basket, the plate the spice was pressed on
>> capacity: 4 — one 5.7 L air fryer basket, roast, air fry
>> keeps: 2 days — cold it is a salad, warmed it is dry; flake it into something rather than reheating the fillet

>> step: Written for a preheated 5.7 L basket. From cold, add three minutes. Time tracks thickness here, not weight.
The heat travels inward, so a thicker fillet is a longer cook at the same weight.

>> step: stir the blackening spice on a plate
Stir @sweet paprika{2%Tbs}, @garlic powder{2%tsp}, @dried thyme{1%tsp}, @cayenne{1/2%tsp}, @black pepper{1%tsp}, @kosher salt{2%tsp} together on a #plate{}.

>> step: press one face into it, spice side up
Press @salmon fillets{4}(6 oz / 170 g each, 1 1/2 in thick; skin on) into @&(~1)blackening spice{} on one face only.

>> step: roast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 10–14 min, one layer
Roast @&(~1)spiced fillets{} in a preheated #air fryer basket{} at 200°C (400°F) for ~air fry{12%min}, one layer and spice side up.

>> step: cook to 52°C (125°F) at the thickest part, read at ten minutes
Cook @&(~1)salmon{} to 52°C (125°F) at the thickest part.

>> step: squeeze the lemon over, out of the basket
Squeeze @lemon{1/2}(cut in wedges) over @&(~1)salmon{}.

>> step: Three credible sources give three finish temperatures — 52°C, 55°C and 63°C. This file cooks to 52°C and says whose.
Not a rounding difference. Three opinions about what cooked salmon is.