Miso Salmon in Air fryer

Miso salmon is a sweet, savory miso glaze on soft, buttery salmon. It is perfect for after a long day of work, after school, or in a bento box for lunch. It is loaded with protein and healthy fats that will keep you energized throughout the day. The best part is that it is one of the easiest dishes to make with a few ingredients and 15 minutes.

Miso Salmon Ingredients:

• Salmon filet—I am using fresh farmed salmon; however, feel free to use whatever salmon filet you like. I’ve also made this with wild-caught salmon. Wild-caught salmon is a little more on the dry side but known to be higher in omega 3s.
• Miso paste—I am using white miso paste. The flavor will depend on the miso paste of your choice, so choose whichever you prefer. I like white miso paste because it has a mild flavor, while a darker color, such as red miso paste, has a stronger flavor.
• Sugar – I am using white sugar, but feel free to use a sweetener of choice
• Mirin – Mirin is a Japanese sweet cooking wine. If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute with sake or water. Mirin is used to add flavor and dilute the miso paste.

Air fryer Method

I like using the air fryer to cook my salmon because it is quick and efficient. Many air fryers have a fish button that automates temperature and cook time. However, that will depend on the brand and the make of the air fryer. I suggest keeping the temperature at 350F and cooking for 12-15 minutes. If your fish is thicker than 2 inches, cook for about 15 minutes. Fish about 1-1.5 inches thick will cook for about 12 minutes. You may want to use a fish thermometer to confirm.

Because miso paste has a high sugar content, it is prone to burning. If the sauce is getting too charred in the air fryer, place parchment paper on top of the salmon. This will prevent the miso paste from cooking further.

I have the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4 in 1. Here is the link to my exact air fryer. I like that it is compact and lightweight, and the basket is easy to wash. I’ve had other air fryers before that are heavier and a lot bigger, but they are not necessary as I am mainly cooking for myself. I have the 5 quarts, but you may want to get a bigger basket if you cook more than 1-2 people.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can also make this in a conventional oven. Make sure the oven is preheated to 350F before putting the salmon in. Cook for 12-15 minutes. If you want a charred effect, you can broil it for a few seconds at the end of cooking the salmon. Be on the lookout if you set it to broil because it will burn easily.

Can I make this beforehand?

You can marinate the salmon in the miso paste the night before and keep it in the fridge. When you are ready to consume it, cook it in the air fryer with the paste on. Marinating any longer is not recommended, as you want to eat the fish fresh and do not want the salmon to get too salty with the miso.

How to store miso salmon?

After cooking the fish, store it in an airtight container, and it will keep it in the fridge for a few days. When reheating, place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm again. You can also reheat in the air fryer. But again, keep an eye out to make sure the miso paste does not burn because of its high sugar content.