Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon: 17-Min Wonder

Hey there, foodie friends! Today we’re diving into something seriously special: Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon. If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for those meals that are both incredibly delicious and super simple to whip up, especially on a busy weeknight. That’s exactly what this recipe is all about!

I’m Daniel, and I started Reciqa because, honestly, I just love sharing good food! For me, cooking isn’t just about making something to eat; it’s about those cozy moments, connecting with people, and creating memories. Here, we’re all about simple, everyday dishes that bring joy, a few sweet treats, and yes, some healthier options too. Because delicious food should make you feel good inside and out. This hasselback salmon is a perfect example – it’s quick, packed with flavor, and looks so impressive, you’d think it took hours. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer for weeknights. You’re going to wonder how you ever lived without it!

• Speedy Preparation: We’re talking dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, from start to finish. How awesome is that?
• Incredible Flavor: It’s the perfect dance of spicy from the cayenne and sriracha, savory from the spices, and just a touch of creamy sweetness. So good!
• Crispy Texture: That hasselback cut and the air fryer work magic together, giving you this amazing crispy exterior that’s just restaurant-quality.
• Healthy Choice: Packed with lean protein and healthy fats from the salmon and avocado, it’s a meal you can feel really good about.
• Simple Steps: The instructions are so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make something this impressive.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Having everything prepped makes cooking so much smoother, trust me. For this fabulous Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon, you’ll want to gather these goodies. Don’t worry if you don’t have *exactly* the same thing; we’ll chat about swaps later, but this is the magic combo!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient	Quantity	Preparation Notes
Salmon	12 ounces	skin on, two 6-ounce fillets
Avocado Oil	2 tablespoons	plus extra for spraying the air fryer basket
Dried Oregano	1 teaspoon
Paprika	½ teaspoon
Garlic Powder	½ teaspoon
Kosher Salt	¼ teaspoon + pinch	split between the spice rub and the salad
Black Pepper	¼ teaspoon + pinch	split between the spice rub and the salad
Onion Powder	¼ teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper	¼ teaspoon	adjust this if you like it spicier or milder!
Kewpie Mayonnaise	¼ cup	this Japanese mayo is a game changer, but regular mayo works too!
Sriracha	1 tablespoon	or your favorite hot sauce
Low Sodium Soy Sauce	1.5 teaspoons
Maple Syrup	1-2 teaspoons	just a touch of sweetness to balance it out
English Cucumber	½ cup	diced up nice and small
Jalapeno	2 tablespoons	finely diced – seeds removed if you don’t want it too fiery
Avocado	1 small	diced small, add this right before serving so it stays fresh
Lime Juice	1 tablespoon	fresh squeezed is best, it really brightens everything up
Rice	1 cup	cooked, whatever kind you like – jasmine, basmati, brown – it’s for serving!
Sesame Seeds	½ teaspoon	divided, for that pretty garnish
Cilantro	1 tablespoon	freshly chopped, divided, for a pop of freshness

How to Prepare Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness made! It’s actually super straightforward, and the results are SO worth it. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have an amazing meal on your table in no time.

Prepare the Creamy Sriracha Sauce

First things first, let’s whip up that dreamy sauce. Grab a small bowl, toss in your kewpie mayo, sriracha, that little bit of soy sauce, and the maple syrup. Give it a good stir until it’s all smooth and combined. Pop a lid on it and tuck it into the fridge so it can chill and let those flavors meld together.

Mix the Fresh Toppings

Now for our bright, fresh salad topping. In another little bowl, gently combine the diced cucumber, the finely diced jalapeno, and the diced avocado. Drizzle in that fresh lime juice, add a pinch of salt and a few twists of black pepper. Give it a super gentle toss – we don’t want to mush up that avocado!

Cook the Rice

Get your rice going according to the package directions. This is mostly just waiting in the background while we work on the star of the show, the salmon!

Preheating and Preparing the Salmon

Time to get our air fryer ready! Preheat it to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). This is super important for getting that salmon cooked just right and nice and crispy. While it’s heating up, let’s prep the salmon. Make sure any little bones are out, and leave that beautiful skin on – it’s going to get wonderfully crisp. Pat the salmon fillets really dry with a paper towel; this is key for getting a good sear.

Slicing the Salmon

Now for the fun part: the hasselback! Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the salmon into about 1-inch thick pieces. The trick here is to slice down, but not all the way through the skin. You want the slices to fan out, but stay connected at the bottom.

Drizzle the salmon all over with the avocado oil, making sure to rub it into those cuts. Then, in a little dish, mix up your dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and that cayenne pepper. Sprinkle this amazing spice blend all over the oiled salmon, gently pressing it in so it sticks. Make sure every nook and cranny gets some love!

Air Frying the Salmon

Lightly spray your air fryer basket with a little cooking spray. Carefully place the salmon in the basket, laying it on its side. This helps the slices open up and get extra crispy all around. Pop it into the preheated air fryer for about 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on it – cooking times can vary!

Assembling Your Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Once the salmon is cooked and gorgeous, it’s time to plate! Spoon some of that fluffy rice into your bowls. Gently place the crispy hasselback salmon on top. Spoon over some of that fresh cucumber and avocado salad, drizzle generously with the creamy sriracha sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. Doesn’t that look amazing?

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Okay, let’s make sure your Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon turns out absolutely perfect every single time. These little tricks have saved me more than once!

• Salmon Thickness Matters: Seriously, keep an eye on your salmon. If your fillets are on the thicker side, they might need an extra minute or two in the air fryer. Just peek and make sure it’s cooked through but still moist.
• Crispy Skin is Key: For that amazing crispy skin, you’ve gotta pat it DRY. Like, really dry with paper towels before you oil and season. It makes a world of difference!
• Slice Like a Pro: Using a really sharp knife is your best friend here. It helps you get those clean, even slices for the hasselback effect. This lets the heat get into all those little nooks and crannies.
• Sauce Just Right: If your creamy sriracha sauce seems a little too thick for your liking, don’t panic! Just stir in a tiny bit of water or even a touch more lime juice, a teaspoon at a time, until it’s the perfect drizzling consistency.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s talk a little bit about some of the ingredients in this Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon. I love using specific things because they really make a difference, but I also know life happens and you might need a swap!

• Kewpie Mayonnaise: Oh, this stuff is magic! It’s got this amazing rich, tangy flavor that’s just a bit different from regular mayo. If you can find it, totally go for it! But if not, don’t sweat it – regular mayonnaise will still work, you’ll just get a slightly different, though still delicious, flavor profile.
• Sriracha: This is where you get to play with the spice level! I put a tablespoon in, but if you’re sensitive to heat, start with less, or even swap it for a milder chili garlic sauce. If you love it fiery, go ahead and add a little more!
• Avocado Oil: This is my go-to for air frying because it’s super neutral and can handle the heat like a champ. But if you don’t have it, no worries! Grapeseed oil or even canola oil will work just fine. Just make sure it’s an oil that can handle high heat.
• Soy Sauce: I always reach for low-sodium soy sauce to keep the saltiness in check. If you need a gluten-free option, coconut aminos are a fantastic substitute and give a similar savory depth.

Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Now, let’s talk about what’s going into your body with this delicious Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates, and they can totally change based on the exact ingredients you use and how you make them. This info is for one serving of the salmon, sauce, and salad, and doesn’t include the rice. It’s a pretty fantastic meal, packed with good stuff!

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	750kcal
Sugar	4g
Sodium	860mg
Fat	61g
Saturated Fat	9g
Unsaturated Fat	49g
Trans Fat	0.1g
Carbohydrates	16g
Fiber	8g
Protein	37g
Cholesterol	105mg

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Got some delicious Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon leftover? Lucky you! Storing and reheating it properly makes sure it’s just as good the next day. It’s pretty simple, really.

• Storage: To keep everything tasting its best, store the leftover salmon, the creamy sriracha sauce, and that fresh salad separately. Pop them into airtight containers and tuck them into the fridge. They should be good for up to 2 days.
• Reheating Salmon: For the absolute best results, I love reheating the salmon back in the air fryer. Just set it to about 300°F (150°C) and give it 3-5 minutes. It warms it up gently without drying it out. Just be careful not to overcook it!
• Reheating Sauce: This creamy sauce is delicious served chilled, but if you prefer it warm, you can gently heat it up. Just a few seconds in the microwave or on the stovetop should do the trick.
• Reheating Salad: Honestly, the salad is best made fresh right before you eat it. The avocado and cucumber are just so much better when they haven’t been sitting around.

Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon

Got some burning questions about making this awesome Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are some things folks often ask.

Can I make this without an air fryer?
Oh yeah, absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, no problem at all. You can totally bake this salmon in a preheated oven. Just pop it onto a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) and bake it for about 12-15 minutes, or until it’s cooked through. The skin might not get quite as crispy as it does in the air fryer, but it’ll still be super tasty!

How do I know when the salmon is cooked?
That’s a great question! The easiest way is to gently flake the salmon with a fork. If it flakes apart easily, it’s done. For the most accuracy, you can use a meat thermometer; you’re looking for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Can I use a different type of salmon?
You sure can! While I love using salmon fillets with the skin on for that extra crispiness, you can definitely use salmon fillets without the skin. Just be aware that the cooking time might need a little adjustment, especially if your cuts are thinner or thicker than what I’ve suggested.

Is this recipe truly spicy?
Well, it’s got a nice kick, but you’re totally in control! The spice level comes from the cayenne pepper and the sriracha. If you’re sensitive to heat, feel free to dial those back. If you love things super spicy, go ahead and add a little extra! It’s all about your personal preference.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can get a head start! The creamy sriracha sauce and the fresh cucumber-jalapeno-avocado salad can both be made a few hours ahead of time and kept chilled in the refrigerator. Just make sure to cook the salmon right before you’re ready to serve it so it’s perfectly crispy and warm!

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