Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and ridiculously flavorful dinner, this air fryer teriyaki salmon is about to be your new favorite recipe. Perfectly flaky salmon gets coated in a rich, sweet and savory homemade teriyaki glaze, then air-fried to crispy, caramelized perfection—all in around half an hour.
No need to turn on the stove or deal with sticky bottled sauces. This version is made from scratch, using simple pantry ingredients like soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger to create a teriyaki sauce that’s perfectly balanced—not too sweet, not too salty, just insanely good. And so much healthier and tastier than ordering takeout!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in about half an hour with minimal prep.
✔️ Healthy & High-Protein – A nutritious, omega-3-packed dinner that doesn’t feel like health food.
✔️ Air Fryer = No Mess – Perfectly cooked salmon with crispy edges and zero hassle.
✔️ Homemade Teriyaki Sauce – No store-bought sauce needed—this one is better, fresher, and tastier!
✔️ Versatile & Meal Prep Friendly – Serve it with rice, veggies, noodles, or even in a grain bowl.
This foolproof recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you want a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Soy sauce
- Water
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Cornstarch
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Scallion (for garnish)
Instructions
You’ll find the full recipe card at the bottom of this post, complete with ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions. But first, here’s a quick walkthrough of the process, along with some helpful step-by-step photos to guide you through making perfectly flaky, flavorful air fryer teriyaki salmon!
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, ¾ of the water, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and starts to thicken.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining cold water to create a slurry.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens to a glossy consistency. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the teriyaki sauce from heat and set it aside to cool.
Marinate the Salmon:
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce over the salmon. Make sure the salmon is well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to allow the salmon to marinate.
Air Fry the Salmon:
- Remove the marinated salmon from the refrigerator and place it in an air fryer safe dish.
- Air fry the salmon for about 12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. The salmon should be flaky and cooked through.
- If you like your salmon with a caramelized glaze, brush the reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Garnish and Serve:
- Once the salmon is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions on top of the salmon for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve your air fryer teriyaki salmon hot over a bed of steamed rice or with your favorite side dishes!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Here are some delicious ways to serve your salmon and turn it into a complete dinner:
Classic & Comforting Pairings
- Steamed White or Brown Rice – The perfect base for soaking up that sticky teriyaki glaze.
- Garlic Butter Noodles – Tossed in a light garlic butter sauce for a comforting side.
- Coconut Rice – A slightly sweet and creamy pairing that enhances the teriyaki flavors.
Light & Fresh Sides
- Asian-Inspired Slaw – A crunchy mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and sesame dressing.
- Cucumber & Avocado Salad – Light, refreshing, and a great contrast to the warm salmon.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables – Broccoli, bok choy, snap peas, or asparagus work beautifully.
Bowl & Wrap Ideas
- Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl – Serve over rice with avocado, pickled ginger, and edamame.
- Lettuce Wraps – Break up the salmon and serve in crisp butter lettuce cups with extra sauce.
- Sushi-Inspired Poke Bowl – Add diced salmon over rice with mango, cucumbers, and spicy mayo.
Noodles & Stir-Fry Options
- Teriyaki Salmon Stir-Fry – Flake the salmon into stir-fried veggies and noodles.
- Cold Sesame Noodles – A refreshing option with a nutty sesame-soy dressing.
- Zucchini Noodles or Cauliflower Rice – A low-carb alternative that still lets the salmon shine.
Fun & Creative Serving Ideas
- Teriyaki Salmon Tacos – Serve in warm tortillas with slaw and a drizzle of spicy mayo.
- Salmon & Avocado Toast – Top crispy sourdough with flaked teriyaki salmon and sesame seeds.
- Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Rolls – Use leftovers to make homemade sushi-style rolls.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 lb (4 pieces) salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger grated
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 scallion thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, ¾ of the water, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, and brown sugar.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and starts to thicken.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining cold water to create a slurry.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens to a glossy consistency. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the teriyaki sauce from heat and set it aside to cool.
Marinate the Salmon:
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce over the salmon. Make sure the salmon is well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to allow the salmon to marinate.
Air Fry the Salmon:
- Remove the marinated salmon from the refrigerator and place it in an air fryer safe dish.
- Air fry the salmon for about 12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. The salmon should be flaky and cooked through.
- If you like your salmon with a caramelized glaze, brush the reserved teriyaki sauce over the salmon fillets during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
Garnish and Serve:
- Once the salmon is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions on top of the salmon for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve your air fryer teriyaki salmon hot over a bed of steamed rice or with your favorite side dishes.
This air fryer teriyaki salmon is proof that quick and easy doesn’t have to mean boring. With its crispy edges, flaky texture, and bold homemade teriyaki glaze, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Give it a try and let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, rate the recipe, or tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet with your creation.
