I love how this Furikake Salmon turned out to be crunchy on the outside, but tender on the inside! Find out what’s the secret to perfectly browned crumbs that has me falling in love all over again.
Trick to Perfectly Browned Crumbs
Adding panko crumbs to your baked food (like this Furikake Salmon recipe) creates a wonderful crunchy texture to the moist, juicy salmon fillet. However, I noticed that the breading doesn’t result in toasty brown toppings due to the short cooking time. Don’t fret, we’ve got your fix!
It’s super easy! Just pre-toast the crumbs. Simply dump the panko crumbs in a hot, dry skillet and stir continuously until you’ll get that toasty beautiful brown breadcrumbs. I normally, toast a big batch and store it on the fridge for future use. Best used for baking food like veggies and fish or even steaks.
Baking Furikake Salmon with Air Fryer
Anyway, I never thought making this baked Furikake Salmon recipe using an air fryer would result in the juiciest, most tender salmon each time. It’s salty, sweet, nutty, and bursting with umami!
Because of this, I am certain that this Furikake salmon will be the latest variation of salmon in our home kitchen.
At first, I was strongly against purchasing an air fryer. I thought it would be a small appliance that’s just a white elephant in the kitchen. Who could possibly use an air fryer all the time?
I also didn’t want another appliance displayed on the kitchen counter. I don’t want items thrown on the kitchen counters. It’s one of my pet peeves.
I just didn’t want this brand new appliance and thought it would just be a waste of money. But my husband insisted on purchasing one. He ended the debate and ordered one. In the end, I’m glad he was stubborn.
Air Fryers Worth Buying
Generally, air fryers are a bit ugly. They often remind me of the masks in Star Wars, but they are really the best small appliance ever.
They are worth every penny! Though there are many air fryers on the market, I love my air fryer in particular. With an air fryer, everything always cooks in a short period and is crispier and juicier. I tried to cook tater tots in it and the tots were amazing!
Breaded or plain seasoned chicken cooked in an air fryer is tender, tasty, and juicy. I even tried it on steaks and it really worked! It’s a versatile tool that’s worth your money.
You don’t have to worry about preheating it. Cleaning up after is no hassle at all. All the juices are locked in so you don’t have much of anything to clean up. You can also make a crostini with it. Just don’t get an air fryer that’s smaller than 5.3 quarts because it would just limit you.
Do Air Fryers Work?
How does an air fryer work? It works efficiently because it circulates the extremely hot air with very little oil around the food.
If you have an air fryer, you already have a mini convection oven on your kitchen counter. The food you cook in it does not taste like it was deep-fried in oil and it is so delicious. The crunch is a lot better than regular deep-fried food.
It’s the circulating hot air that makes an air fryer work like a mutated convection oven. This type of heat allows me to get a perfect roast corn-on-the-cob each time.
As a personal investment, an air fryer can benefit you in myriad ways. The possibilities are endless with this appliance.
How to Air Fry a Salmon
- Spray some oil first before placing the salmon fillets in your air fryer basket. Remember not to over-crowd.
- Press the ON button of your air fryer and set the temperature at 390 F degrees for 8-10 minutes (depending on the size). It is most certainly that quick and easy!
- Once the time is up, check the doneness of the fillets in the air fryer basket.
- The salmon, flakes beautifully after the cooking time. Perfect, right?
Does an Air Fryer Brown Food?
The color of the food is beautiful when they come out of the air fryer. They’re extremely tender and juicy as well.
Since I started making Furikake Salmon with Mayo on my air fryer, salmon has become a regular menu item in our home.
If there are leftovers from the dish you cooked with the air fryer, they are still tender and juicy even if you reheat them. The moisture of the food was locked in. It is truly awesome!
The possibilities are endless with an air fryer. I have tried using the air fryer in making the usual chicken nuggets and the kids loved it! You should try this baked furikake salmon, it’s really yummy!
Ways to Cook Salmon
Cooking salmon the best way involves heating it for a short period at a high temperature. This is the reason grilled and oven-baked salmon are always tender and flaky.
How to Cook Salmon in the Oven
- To achieve a flaky and succulent baked salmon, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Get your sheet pan and line it with parchment or baking paper.
- Brush the baking paper liner with olive oil or spray it with cooking spray.
- Place the marinated salmon fillet on the sheet pan you prepared (If your fillets have skin, place them on the sheet skin side down.
- Bake the fillets for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness.
- After you bake them, broil the fillets for 1 to 2 minutes or until the surface is golden.
How to Cook Salmon on the Grill
- Set the heat of the grill to medium-high.
- Place the prepared salmon fillets on the grill pan or grill rack.
- Cook for four to six minutes on one side.
- The salmon will loosen itself from the grill at the right time. Please do not force it.
- When ready, turn the fillets and cook for three to four minutes or until cooked completely.
How Long to Bake the Salmon?
- Remember that the cooking time in the oven varies based on the thickness and size of the salmon fillets.
- Usually, it takes 12-15 minutes to bake a 1.5″ thick cut of salmon in a 400-degree oven.
- Bake until the salmon is cooked through but light pink in the middle. The flesh of the fish must be flaky.
- If you’re using a thermometer, the inner temperature of the salmon should read 120°F to 130°F (medium-rare) or 135°F to 145°F (well-done).
- Make sure to check the internal temperature by injecting the probe into the fillet’s thickest part.
Our new air fryer definitely changed my perspective on air fryers in general. It most certainly made a difference in making this Furikake Salmon Recipe or Hawaiian Salmon Recipe.
Steps on How to Cook the Furikake Salmon:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees or (preheat the air fryer). Cut your salmon fillet into individual portions.
2. Brush a baking tray with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Place salmon skin side down on the oiled baking tray. Brush the flesh of the salmon with sesame oil and season with 1 tsp salt and ¼ white pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the panko crumbs with 2 tbsp furikake, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until evenly combined.
4. Rub mayonnaise using a butter knife or spoon. Place the Furikake / Panko crumbs on top of the salmon fillets and sprinkle with paprika.
5. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until fish is cooked through but still flaky. Note: baking time depends on the thickness of the salmon fillets.
6. Remove from the oven and and sprinkle the fillets with a little bit more furikake. Drizzle with homemade teriyake sauce. Serve warm with a side of steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
Furikake is a Japanese savory seasoning to sprinkle over rice. I love to sprinkle these over noodles, my Onigiri Balls, soup, toast! The most standard variation is a mixture of seaweed, bonito (dried fish), sesame seeds, salt, and sugar.
There are plenty of varieties to choose from. Adding Furikake to the breadcrumbs create complex flavors to a very simple dish. It’s salty, sweet, nutty, and bursting with umami!
Furikake Salmon Recipe
Print Pin RateEquipments:
- Air Fryer
- Oven
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Salmon Fillet
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1½ tbsp Paprika
For the Top Crust:
- ½ cup Panko crumbs
- 2 tbsp Furikake + more for garnishing
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions:
Prep the Salmon:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees or (preheat the air fryer). Cut your salmon fillet into individual portions.
- Brush a baking tray with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Place salmon skin side down on the oiled baking tray. Brush the flesh of the salmon with sesame oil and season with 1 tsp salt and ¼ white pepper.
- In a separate bowl, mix the panko crumbs with 2 tbsp furikake, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until evenly combined.
- Spread mayonnaise evenly using a butter knife or a spoon. Place the Furikake / Panko crumbs on top of the salmon fillets and sprinkle with paprika.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until fish is cooked through but still flaky. Note: baking time depends on the thickness of the salmon fillets.
- Remove from the oven and and sprinkle the fillets with a little bit more furikake. Drizzle with homemade teriyake sauce. Serve warm with a side of steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.
Lyanna Soria
Quite an interesting and delicious dish. I’d love to try making this for dinner. I’m sure my husband would love this. Thanks for sharing your recipe hun 🙂
Joanna Clute
Now this is a recipe my husband would devour. He is a salmon freak; totally making this one!
Kristine Nicole Alessandra
I have to check our local grocery store if they have Furikake. That is a must have for me! I am going to make this dish soon as I get my hands on that ingredient!
Rosey
Awesome that you gave air fryer tips and browning tips too. Salmon is my daughter in law’s most favorite meat.
Emman Damian
Crusted Furikake Salmon sounds so delicious! I hope to make it this weekend. My mom would be happy for sure!
katrina Kroeplin
that looks delish! i love salmon. i will have to try this.
Dominique Brooks
I want to get an air fryer so this post has been helpful. My husband would love this recipe (I am allergic to seafood so I have no opinion LOL). Thanks for sharing!
Gervin Khan
Salmon is one of my favorite dish to eat because it’s healthy and its really delicious. I will definitely make this recipe and I am sure that everyone will love the taste of it.
Ntensibe Edgar Michael
Nnniiiccceeeee….this salmon is a true beauty! My saliva is forming real quick here. I have never heard of an “air fryer” before. It’ll be good to use one.
Matt Taylor
I love salmon! This is a fantastic recipe for the perfect salmon. Thanks so much for sharing!
Emily Zileinslo
This recipe looks delicious! I have never thought about doing the salmon in an air fryer before!
Jessica Collazo
I will love to do the in my Air Fryer. I love,love,love salmon. This recipe look so delicious
Anna
This salmon looks soooo delicious! I love the crunchy touch on the outside!
Vicky
Pre toasting the bread crumbs is a brilliant idea. We have an air fryer, but I never thought of using it for salmon. Now that I see how easy this is, I can’t wait to try it.
Noelle
This adds great flavor to the salmon! Will be making again!!
Beth
Salmon is one of our favorite go to meals to make! I love the tip on toasting the panko crumbs first to make it nice and crunchy!
Alisa Infanti
This recipe looks amazing and I would never have imagined you could cook salmon in an air fryer. You now have me thinking I should get one. Thanks for all info it was really helpful
Katherine
That flavored crumb is EVERYTHING. So incredible. I love my air fryer – such a versatile gadget.
Mahy
I was just about to go get some salmon in the store. So really happy I’ve stumbled upon your recipe. Now I will need to get everything I need for thecrust, too, because it is unbelievable!
Tisha
I love salmon! This recipe is a must try, I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
There hasn’t been a salmon recipe that I didn’t like. And I think that this one is no different. This looks perfect!
Sara Welch
What a savory way to enjoy salmon; a restaurant worthy dish, indeed!