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Air Fryer Hawaiian Salmon is addictive and takes less than 20 minutes to make! You’re going to love how easy, meal-prep friendly, and perfect it is on top of salads, rice, or as a stand alone!
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This Air Fryer Hawaiian Salmon recipe will be a quick go-to that you’ll make on repeat. It’s flaky, tender, and exactly how fish is supposed to be. It’s a serious bonus that you can make it in the air fryer (cooking and prep work) in under 20 minutes. Seriously, just 20 minutes and you can have this main dish on the table!
Consider pairing this salmon with air fryer sweet potato fries or a simple air fryer baked potato!
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What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Hawaiian Salmon?
For the full list of ingredients and steps, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Salmon
- Pineapple juice
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Cornstarch
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
What steps are involved in the cooking process?
More detailed steps are provided below in the recipe card, but here’s a quick rundown of how the process will go:
1: Gather all of your ingredients and whisk together the Hawaiian sauce.
2: Add a little Hawaiian sauce to your prepared, thawed, and cut salmon.
3: Spray your air fryer, place the salmon in the frying basket, and let the air fryer do all the work!
4: Heat the rest of the Hawaiian sauce over medium heat (or pop it into the microwave) until it’s thick and bubbly.
5: Remove the salmon from the air fryer, serve over some rice or salad, and a generous drizzle of thickened Hawaiian sauce!
What is the best air fryer to use?
For this recipe I used the Ninja XL Air Fryer. It's a great device and I can't live without it!
Kitchen tools that'll make cooking this recipe a breeze
Tips + Tricks
Leave the skin on - Even if you don’t plan to eat the skin, leave the salmon skin on while cooking. It helps to keep the meat tender and juicy on the inside.
The Hawaiian Glaze - If you shake the mixture in a pint-size mason jar, such as this one, you can just microwave it for about 2 minutes (or until it's bubbly and thick).
FAQ's
Can I replace the brown sugar for another sweetener?
I’ve had success with coconut sugar, honey, and date sugar.
What is the best salmon to use?
I used sockeye salmon, but any salmon will do. The only thing I’d say is to make sure it’s not too thin or else the thin edges will burn and crisp–so be sure to watch it carefully if that’s the case!
Can I use something other than cornstarch?
You can use arrowroot powder, use the same measurements.
Best sides to serve with this dish?
This salmon tastes excellent over white or brown rice, air fryer Brussels with Pecans and Goat Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries with Diane Dip , or Baked Potatoes with Crispy Skins!
Which wines to pair with this salmon?
Frankly I don’t think that pairing wine needs to be too complicated and I don’t think that only white wine pairs with fish. With that said, I really think that medium-full bodied whites with decent acidity and interest such as Chardonnay and Pino Gris are winning choices!
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Recipe
Air Fryer Hawaiian Salmon
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- ¾ lb salmon thawed + cut into 1-inch strips/about 4 strips
- cooking spray as needed
- 6 oz pineapple juice ¾ cup
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare your salmon, thaw it, pat it dry, and set it aside.
- In a bowl or a large pyrex, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder, ground ginger, pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can also add the ingredients to a mason jar and shake until combined.
- Toss 2 tablespoons of the mixture with your salmon.
- Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the salmon (leave the skin on, even if you don’t plan to eat it) into the fryer basket–it shouldn’t be touching (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Close the air fryer, set it to AIR FRY (390°F, no need to preheat) for 8-10 minutes (until the internal temp reaches 125 degrees).
- While the salmon is cooking, place your Hawaiian glaze into the microwave for 2 minutes on high or until it becomes thick and bubbly. OR heat it over a saucepan on medium heat until it’s thick and bubbly.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer, brush with the Hawaiian glaze, and serve over rice or salad.
Notes
Can I replace the brown sugar for another sweetener?
I’ve had success with coconut sugar, honey, and date sugar. What is the best salmon to use?
I used sockeye salmon, but any salmon will do. The only thing I’d say is to make sure it’s not too thin or else the thin edges will burn and crisp–so be sure to watch it carefully if that’s the case! Can I use something other than cornstarch?
You can use arrowroot powder, use the same measurements. Best sides to serve with this dish?
This salmon tastes excellent over white or brown rice, air fryer Brussels with Pecans and Goat Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries with Diane Dip , or Baked Potatoes with Crispy Skins! Which wines to pair with this salmon?
Frankly I don’t think that pairing wine needs to be too complicated and I don’t think that only white wine pairs with fish. With that said, I really think that medium-full bodied whites with decent acidity and interest such as Chardonnay and Pino Gris are winning choices!
Nutrition
More recipes you'll love
Brussels with Pecans and Goat Cheese (Air Fryer)
Sweet Potato Fries with Diane Dip (Air Fryer)
Baked Potatoes with Crispy Skins (Air Fryer)
Michelle Hackenberry
This recipe is quick, full of flavor, and I love that it uses ingredients I have on hand. Hawaiian Salmon is our new family new favorite!
Victoria C
I love salmon but never know the best way to cook it! Definitely will be trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing!