Crispy salmon belly in the air fryer is a quick and easy seafood treat! Salmon belly strips are air-fried with just a little bit of lemon zest and minced garlic. Easier than pan frying or grilling, these air-fried salmon bellies are moist and flaky with the perfect crispy skin!

Also try some of my favorite salmon recipes like teriyaki salmon belly, salmon wings (collars) and bang bang salmon bites! So good!

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• Recipe ingredients
• How to cook salmon belly in air fryer
• Serving suggestions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage instructions
• Frequently asked questions
• You may also like

Air-fried salmon is seriously one of the best snacks or light dinners. It takes 10 minutes to make from start to finish. Since salmon is such a richly flavored fish already, it needs minimal prework and seasoning. For this easy seafood appetizer, you only need 3 ingredients plus a little salt and pepper to taste.

Salmon bellies are a lovely switch-up from your usual salmon fillets. This prized cut is taken from the belly of the fish and it is filled with fat pockets and smooth and buttery-tasting salmon meat.

Because of its higher fat content, salmon bellies turn out amazing when cooked in the air fryer. The skin crisps up fantastically and the moist fish on the inside is perfectly tender and juicy.

Recipe ingredients

Salmon belly. Fresh or thawed salmon belly strips are cleaned and dried with a paper towel. If there are any fillets, or small inedible fins, on your salmon strips make sure to remove those as well before seasoning. These cuts are already very fatty so there's no need to add any additional oil to them.

Salt and black pepper. Simple seasonings so that the flavor of the salmon belly truly shines.

Garlic. Freshly minced and added to the salmon. Its savory, garlicky flavor is a common flavor pairing with lemon on fish.

Lemon zest and juice. Not only does it add a hint of citrus flavor but the acid in the lemon juice helps to cut through the fattiness of the salmon bellies.

How to cook salmon belly in air fryer

To start, wash your hands and clean the salmon bellies with cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the bellies evenly with salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon zest grated from one lemon, and two cloves of finely minced garlic.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, let it run at the temperature for about 5 minutes.

Using tongs, place the salmon bellies in the air fryer basket in a single layer to allow air to circulate and make them crispy. Cook them for 6-8 minutes. After 6 minutes, check if they have reached your preferred crispiness.

Once done, remove the salmon bellies from the air fryer and place them on a serving plate. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the hot salmon.

Enjoy your salmon bellies fresh from the air fryer, perfectly crispy and delicious!

Serving suggestions

Served simply with lemon juice, soy sauce, or with sesame seeds as a tasty snack for your kids or an easy appetizer for an upcoming party or get-together.

With steamed rice or noodles served with your favorite sauce or vegetable.

Served with a fresh garden salad to make it even more filling. Asian broccoli side dish is a great healthy choice.

These crispy salmon belly strips are a versatile addition to your meals. Try adding them to a rice or grain bowl, accompanied by either steamed or roasted vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying dish. Alternatively, they pair wonderfully with slow cooker ratatouille, a dish that brings a natural, rich flavor that complements the salmon perfectly.

Substitutions

Salmon belly. If you can't find salmon belly try using a regular salmon fillet cut into thin strips. Look for fattier cuts so that it will taste more similar to salmon belly.

Garlic. Jarred minced garlic works just fine, the flavor will just be a little more subdued. If you want an even lighter garlic flavor substitute the fresh garlic for ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder or granulated garlic.

Lemon. If you prefer, try using lime zest and juice instead of lemon.

Variations

Top with brown sugar or brush honey or maple syrup over the salmon bellies to give them a sweet and savory flavor similar to candied salmon. This is a great way to balance out the other savory flavors.

Cook the salmon with chili paste, a pinch of chili flakes, or cayenne pepper to add a tiny bit of heat.

Marinate your salmon bellies with grated ginger, a splash of soy sauce, fish sauce, or rice wine vinegar if you want a more Asian-inspired snack.

Storage instructions

To store the salmon bellies, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For reheating, warm them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Frequently asked questions

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Hope you will like this air fryer salmon belly recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.