How to Make Crispy Salmon Skin in an Air Fryer

Making crispy salmon skin in an air fryer is a great way to use up leftover salmon skin and turn it into a tasty, crunchy snack or addition to other dishes. Salmon skin can be quite fatty and rich, but when cooked properly in an air fryer it becomes deliciously crispy on the outside and tender inside The high heat of the air fryer renders out excess fat, leaving you with salmon “bacon” that is packed with flavor This simple recipe only requires a few ingredients and very little prep time. Read on to learn exactly how to get perfect crispy salmon skin from your air fryer every time.

Benefits of Cooking Salmon Skin in an Air Fryer

There are several advantages to using an air fryer rather than oven baking or pan frying to make crispy salmon skin

• Quick cooking time – Salmon skin crisps up rapidly in the air fryer, taking just 10-15 minutes total. Oven baking takes much longer.

• Less mess – Cooking salmon skin in a pan often causes popping and splattering. The air fryer contains mess.

• Even crisping – The high velocity hot air of the air fryer circulates all around, crisping the skin evenly on all sides.

• Uses less oil – Only a small amount of oil is needed to coat the salmon skin before air frying. The fish’s natural oils do the rest.

• Intense crunch – The intense dry heat of the air fryer results in an unbeatably crunchy exterior texture.

• Retains moisture – Despite crisping the exterior, the inside of the skin stays moist and tender.

For these reasons, the air fryer is really the best and easiest appliance to use to achieve perfectly crisped salmon skin.

How to Choose Salmon Skin for Air Frying

To get great results, start by choosing high quality salmon skin:

• Get skin-on salmon fillets – Buy salmon fillets with the skin still attached. This ensures the skin is fresh.

• Ensure scales are removed – Only use skin that has already been scaled. Scales will make the end result chewy.

• Pat skin dry – Dry salmon skin will get crisper than skin that’s wet or damp.

• Cut into strips – Cut the skin into 1-2 inch wide strips before air frying. Smaller strips crisp up better.

Quality salmon skin that’s been prepped correctly makes achieving air fried crispiness much easier.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Making crispy salmon skin in an air fryer only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Here’s a simple step-by-step walkthrough:

Prep the Salmon Skin

1. Remove skin – Use a sharp filleting knife to remove skin from raw salmon fillets. Try to remove as little flesh as possible.

2. Scrape off excess flesh – Scrape skin with back of knife to remove any clinging bits of salmon flesh.

3. Pat very dry – Dry the skin thoroughly with paper towels or a clean cloth.

4. Cut into strips – Trim skin into long 1-2 inch wide strips. Cut lengthwise down the fillet.

Air Fry the Salmon Skin

1. Coat lightly with oil – Brush both sides of the skin strips very lightly with neutral oil. This helps crisping.

2. Season – Sprinkle lightly with salt and other seasonings if desired.

3. Air fry at 400°F – Place skins in air fryer basket in single layer. Cook at 400°F for 6 minutes initially.

4. Flip and cook 6 more minutes – Remove basket, flip skins, and air fry 6 more minutes until browned and crisped.

Finish the Crispy Salmon Skin

1. Drain on paper towels – When done air frying, remove skins and drain on paper towel lined plate.

2. Let cool slightly – Cool for 2-3 minutes before eating to avoid burning your mouth!

And that’s it – enjoy your crispy air fried salmon skin on its own or on salads, rice bowls and more. It stays crispy in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Air Fried Salmon Skin

Follow these tips every time for consistently crunchy browned salmon skin:

• Remove all flesh and scales first

• Cut into smaller, uniform strips before air frying

• Dry the skin very thoroughly – damp skin won’t crisp as well

• Use a light coating of oil – don’t skip this step

• Shake the basket halfway through cooking to redistribute

• Adjust cooking time based on thickness of your skin strips

• Let cool slightly before eating for maximum crunch

Creative Ways to Use Crispy Salmon Skin

Crispy salmon skin straight from the air fryer makes a tasty high protein snack. But it also excels when used to add texture and flavor to other dishes:

• Crumble onto salads

• Top tacos or rice bowls

• Mix into fried rice

• Add crunch to sandwiches or wraps

• Garnish creamy pasta dishes

• Use instead of bacon on eggs benedict

• Mix into kimchi fried rice

• Add to bento box lunches

• Toss through green veggies before roasting

• Fold into mashed potatoes

• Sprinkle over avocado toast

Don’t let leftover salmon skin go to waste – air fry it into something deliciously crispy and use it creatively in your cooking. Your mouth will thank you!