Savory, tender hoisin salmon is air-fried in 10 minutes, so it's quick enough for a weeknight dinner. It's so good -- full of the tangy and distinctive Asian flavors of hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
Part of the genius of Asian cuisines is the variety of sauces and seasonings that give umami to the dishes. Soy sauce (or tamari, or coconut aminos). Sesame oil. Mirin and rice vinegar.
Hoisin sauce is a tangy, sweet, salty condiment or sauce that I liked the first time I tried it as part of a stir-fry in the University of Hawaii cafeteria. That was in the 80's - that's a long time to be in love with a sauce!
Hoisin is used to glaze meats and fish, add to dipping sauces and stir-fries. Its name in Cantonese translates to “seafood” but, as it contains no seafood, the name likely refers to the fact that it’s used in sauces for dipping seafood.
Though hoisin sauce is only one component of the coating for this salmon, it lends its delicious umami for a tasty meal. Hoisin alone can be intense, and that flavor is easily adjusted with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and other flavors like miso.
Steps in making air fryer hoisin salmon
This is the selection of ingredients that I keep on hand for this hoisin sauce as well as the dressing for my Asian slaw, which I am serving as a side for this meal.
There are several gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce, including Bragg's Liquid Aminos, tamari or coconut aminos.
Kitchen tip: To cut the fillets easily from a larger piece of fish on a cutting board, use a sharp knife to slice down through the fish to the skin. Then use kitchen scissors to cut the skin.
This is the silicone cutting board I got for Christmas - such a great size and weight -- see my post on gifts for gluten-free cooks for details!
Kitchen tip: If you don't have a grater for ginger (they are often sold in Asian grocery stores), use a lemon zester.
Once you stir the sauce ingredients together you will find that the sauce thickens, making it easy to spread onto the fish.
Brush the sauce onto the exposed surfaces of the salmon fillets.
Last step: It only takes 10 minutes in the air fryer! Check to be sure that the fillets are done enough to your taste.
For us they are perfect at this doneness but if you prefer your salmon quite firm, or if your air fryer typically takes longer to cook other dishes, 12 minutes might suit you.
Remove the fillets to a platter for serving.
What is hoisin sauce made from?
Some hoisin sauce ingredients include starches such as sweet potato, wheat and rice, and water, sugar, soybeans, sesame seeds, white distilled vinegar, salt, garlic, red chili peppers, and sometimes preservatives or coloring agents.
The gluten-free hoisin sauce that I used, by Lee Kum Kee USA, contains: sugar, water, salt, distilled vinegar, soy flour, garlic, modified corn starch, and less than 2% of soybeans, caramel color, sesame oil, xanthan gum, spices and citric acid.
Can I make my own hoisin sauce?
I have not made my own, but I saw several recipes online. This is, of course, the best way to be sure it doesn't contain any ingredients you don't eat.
Nom Nom Paleo has this recipe made from dates, coconut aminos and other ingredients that I hope to try soon!
What can I serve air fryer hoisin salmon with?
Here we served hoisin salmon with coconut milk rice and Asian slaw. The dressing for the slaw has many of the same ingredients as the sauce for the fish, which makes the slaw a perfect side.
Coconut milk rice is rich and flavorful on its own, so it doesn’t need the main dish to provide a lot of sauce to flavor it.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Easy Massaman Salmon or Steelhead Curry
Parchment-Roasted Salmon Tacos with Yogurt-Lime Crema
Crusted Pecan-Mustard Salmon with Asparagus
Almond-Crusted Steelhead or Salmon Tacos
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Gluten-Free
Air Fryer Fish Fillets with Harissa Aioli; G F
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #amealinmind on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. Thank you so much!!
Sharing this recipe to Fiesta Friday # 362 this week, co-hosted by Angie @ FiestaFriday and Petra @ Food Eat Love
Beth
Air-Fryer Hoisin Salmon - Gluten-Free
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Tongs
- Spray
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 4, 5- ounce salmon fillets skin on
- pinch of Redmond sea salt
- pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 2 clove garlic pressed (½ teaspoon pressed garlic)
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar for grain-free, use apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish
- 1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro optional, for garnish
- Avocado oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer as indicated - mine requires 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Season the salmon fillets lightly with sea salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce or tamari, coconut sugar, vinegar and sesame oil, then the garlic and ginger.
- Brush the glaze over the exposed surfaces of the salmon.
- Spray the basket surfaces of the air fryer with cooking spray (I used avocado oil spray).
- Place the salmon fillets skin side down onto the basket grates, making sure they're not touching.
- Air fry at 390 degrees F for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees F.
- Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and parsley or cilantro.
- Serve with Asian Ginger-Almond Slaw and Coconut Milk Rice or sides of choice.
Notes
Nutrition
Please pin for later!
Irene
Pinned this must-try-soon recipe; sounds easy, quick and delicious!
Beth
I'm so glad the recipe sounds good to you, Irene, and thanks for the pin!
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
This looks so tasty. I love salmon... however it's cooked.
I've not tried an air fryer, but have always been tempted to get one. Can't quite convince myself that they will do the job. But this may persuade me x
#FiestaFriday
Beth
Kate, I put off getting an air fryer for some time, thinking I didn't need one - they do take some getting used to and take up space. But I have been more impressed with how it did with this recipe - the tenderness of the salmon, even the thinner parts of the fillet - than with one I make with fish and seasoned corn meal. Good luck deciding, and thanks for the comment!
Petra
I love salmon and I can almost taste the flavors reading your recipe! It sounds so delicious I would have to make an extra porton or two as one would not be enough 🙂
Happy Fiesta Friday! 🙂
Beth
Hi, Petra, thank you so much for your lovely comment. You are so right, I have to make a double batch of this every time now since everyone likes it so much.
Gloria
This salmon sounds fantastic. What a great way to prepare it. I love my air fryer. This would be a hit for dinner any night of the week.
Beth
I love my air fryer too, with every new recipe I try. It is taking the place of the oven for salmon! Thanks for the comment.
Sharon
I had no idea how easy it was to make seafood in the air fryer. I love the hoisin sauce on top.
Beth
I know what you mean, I am still discovering the range of what the air fryer can do - and love the hoisin sauce too.
Adriana
I have been looking for a good salmon air fryer recipe, and yours fit teh bill. It turned out delicious and was so effortless. Thanks so much for the step by step recipe details.
Beth
Adriana, I am so excited to hear that you liked the recipe and the directions. That makes my day!
Jo
Such great flavors on salmon. I love this air fried version of salmon. My family would definitely love it.
Beth
Jo, if your family enjoys Asian flavors and seasonings, the recipe is truly a wonderful and easy one, thanks!
Eva
I was short on inspiration on what to make for date night the day my husband comes back from his business trip and now I know! Hoisin salmon it is! Thank you for the inspiration!
Beth
It's a great date-night recipe since it's both quick and delicious. You are so welcome, Eva!
Kathryn Donangelo
I love different ways to cook salmon and hoisin sauce sounds like such a delicious addition!! I can't wait to make this with rice, thank you!
Beth
Kathryn, thanks! We enjoyed it with both plain and coconut milk rice and thought the moister coconut milk rice worked better because the salmon is not a dish with lots of extra sauce.
emma fraser
Gosh this looks amazing! We love salmon and eat it at least weekly, so I'll be trying this recipe very soon - thank you!
Ex
Beth
Thanks for the comment, Emma. You are in for a treat, I hope you all love it.
Veronika
This is exactly why I need to buy an air fryer! This salmon looks absolutely delicious and I want to try it!
Beth
Veronika, the salmon is so delicious and it has encouraged me to try more air fryer recipes where the food doesn't have to come out crispy. The air fryer is truly useful and fun to work with.
Amy
We eat salmon a lot so it was a wonderful change of pace to use these wonderful Asian flavors! It turned out moist and delicious and the whole family loved it!
Beth
Thanks, Amy, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. I was also impressed at how moist it turned out, which can be tricky with air fryer fish.
Cindy
This was so easy to make and tasted great! I especially liked the sauce. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
I appreciate the comment, Cindy. I love hoisin sauce on anything, and was amazed at how little it took to make for such great flavor!
Melanie
I love Asian flavors, AND I love salmon. Definitely trying this next week!!
Beth
Hi, Amy, this Hoisin salmon recipe is certainly a keeper at our house, and I hope you will find it as good as we did.