Air Fryer Cajun Salmon

Making tasty food doesn’t get easier than this air fryer Cajun Salmon.

Not only is this recipe extremely quick and easy, it’s also really healthy.  Serve the asparagus and salmon with these smashed potatoes or maybe just some crusty bread. I’m often trying to cut down on my carbs so this meal is something I go for with just the veg. If you're feeling hungry, serve the salmon with this Cajun mac and cheese!

About this recipe.

Sometimes it's great to be able to just throw a meal together in minutes and have it taste amazing. That is what you're going to get with this air fryer Cajun salmon recipe.

I love the Cajun seasoning blend used in this recipe as it contains all my favourite spices. It’s also really simple to make but there are shop bought options available if time is an issue.

The smoked paprika and garlic are the overriding flavours along with a good kick from the chilli powder. You can make it as spicy as you like. Then all you need to do is coat your salmon with the seasoning, olive oil and lemon juice and air fry!

Can you make this recipe even easier?

You bet. If you don't have Cajun seasoning on hand, you could just coat the salmon steaks in any of the spices from below that you have. They all go well with salmon so it will taste good.

How do you make the Cajun seasoning?

This too could not be easier. I do have a Cajun seasoning recipe but for ease I have included it below in the recipe card.

All you need to do is mix the following;

1. 3 tbsp smoked paprika
2. 1 ½ tbsp cayenne chilli powder (more or less to taste)
3. 2 tbsp salt
4. 2 tbsp garlic powder
5. 2 tbsp ground black pepper
6. 1 ½ tbsp onion powder
7. 1 tbsp dried oregano
8. 1 tbsp dried thyme

Do you have to use salmon steaks?

Personally I prefer salmon for this recipe as it suits the Cajun spice really nicely. However, if you can’t get salmon, cod or haddock steaks would work really well.

Really, Cajun seasoning goes well with most seafood. I have a lot of air fryer seafood recipes on the way. As a general rule of thumb, coat the fish you have as described in the recipe card below. The air fry at 200°C/400° until cooked through.

Different fish and sizes of fish will of course cook to perfection at different times but that is one of the great things about air fryers... you can check on what your cooking regularly and the air fryer will quickly go right back up to heat.

What if you don’t have any air fryer?

This recipe obviously lends itself really well to an air fryer but it can of course be cooked in an oven too. I would place the marinated salmon steaks on a piece of foil and wrap them tightly in the foil. You can then pre-heat your oven to 200°C/400°F and cook for about 15 minutes.

To check for doneness, unwrap the salmon and cut into it with a fork. I like my salmon quite pink in the centre but you can easily check for doneness in this way and take it out when you are happy.

Can you make this meal in advance?

This meal is so easy so I wouldn’t see any need to prepare ahead of time. If you are cooking for a lot of people scale up the ingredients accordingly and cook in batches. Each batch will easily keep warm in silver foil while you work on the next batch. What could be easier!

How long can you store leftovers in the fridge?

Although you could probably store any leftover in the fridge for 3 days, I prefer to use it within one or two days. Fish is best when it's fresh.

Can you make this Cajun salmon recipe to freeze for later?

Yes. Just cook it up until you are happy with the doneness. Wrap it in an air-tight container and be sure to label and date it. Your cooked Cajun salmon will freeze well for up to three months.

Remember that I said fresh is best. That is the case here to but it does make a great meal when you can't be fussed to cook.

Just let it defrost completely and then reheat in your air fryer.

Step by step photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will find many spicy and delicious recipes on my blog. Here are some you've got to try!

1. Curry house style base sauce - Make a curry just like those at the best curry houses using this sauce.
2. Lamb Bhuna from Scratch - This one is from my book 'The Curry Guy One Pot'
3. One Pot Chicken Dhansak - from my book 'The Curry Guy One Pot
4. Asian Honey Glazed Baked Salmon
5. Sri Lankan Black Chicken Curry
6. Peruvian Chicken - Pollo a la Brasa
7. Korean Braised Beef Stew
8. Dal Makhani - An Indian restaurant favourite!
9. Tonkotsu Broth - When only the best will do. This one takes some time but it is just like you find at the best ramen restaurants!
10. Tonkotsu Ramen - Use that homemade tonkotsu broth in this ramen!
11. The Best Butter Chicken - Try it and you'll agree.
12. Authentic Saag Recipe - This is so good
13. Thai Beef Green Curry - Authentic recipe with homemade curry paste
14. Air Fryer Chicken Biryani
15. Cajun Mac and Cheese - The creamiest mac on the planet!
16. One Pot Chicken Vindaloo
17. Chicken 65 - One of my favourites. You might also like to try this air fryer chicken 65.
18. One Pot Chicken Chilli Garlic Curry
19. Homemade Sriracha Sauce - So much better than any sriracha you can purchase!
20. Tandoori Chicken Tikka - Homemade is alway best and this recipe gets restaurant quality results.
21. Salmon Tikka - Includes information on purchasing salmon.

Have you tried this smash burger recipe?

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