Name: Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Caesar-Style)
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 6-ounce salmon fillets, frozen; 2 tablespoons caesar dressing (store bought or homemade); 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs; 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated; 2 teaspoons olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste

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Looking for a clever way to cook salmon straight from the freezer? This Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Recipe transforms frozen fillets into a flaky, flavorful meal in just minutes. Topped with a crispy Caesar-style crust, it’s a no-fuss dish perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests without breaking a sweat.

Parmesan crusted salmon on a white plate with lemon wedge and parsley.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Thawing Needed: Cook your salmon directly from the freezer.
Crispy Caesar Crust: A panko-parmesan topping adds crunch and a burst of flavor that will remind you of your favorite Caesar salad.
Quick and Convenient: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for last-minute meals.

If your air fryer is your BFF, try my Air Fryer Fish Tacos and Frozen Air Fryer Shrimp next!

And if you're in the market for a new air fryer, this beauty has changed my life. Check it out!

Ingredients for Recipe

Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, a few notes about the ingredients:

Frozen Salmon Fillets: Use any frozen salmon fillets and adjust cooking time based on size and thickness of the fillets.
Caesar Dressing: Store-bought or homemade works great. Substitute with ranch or aioli for a different twist.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds that caesar crouton crunch we love! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, if needed.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan brings a nutty flavor. Swap for pecorino, grana padano or omit for dairy-free.

Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Frozen Salmon Fillets in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Thaw Fish in Air Fryer

Seasoning doesn't stick to frozen fish, so preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees, then add frozen fillets to the basket and air fry for 5 minutes. Blot fish with paper towels to remove moisture.

2 pieces of salmon cooking in air fryer basket.

Step 2: Season Fish

Combine panko, olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Microwave just until crumbs begins to sizzle and brown. Remove and cool for a few minutes, then add grated parm and stir. Set aside.

Panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a small bowl.

After thawing salmon in air fryer and blotting off extra water, sprinkle fillets with salt and brush salmon liberally with Caesar dressing.

Salmon brushed with Caesar dressing in air fryer basket.

Sprinkle with the panko parmesan coating and press into the dressing.

A spoonful of panko crumbs sprinkling over salmon.

Step 3: Air Fry Salmon

Return to air fryer and cook another 6-8 minutes until desired doneness. Garnish and serve.

Parmesan crusted salmon on a white plate.

Can I use fresh salmon instead of frozen?

Yes! Skip the thawing step and reduce the overall cooking time by 3-4 minutes.

What if my salmon fillets are different sizes?

Since smaller fillets will cook faster, use a temperature pen to check doneness on each fillet. I like to remove salmon at 135 degrees. 145 degrees is full cooked - well done.

Can I skip the Caesar dressing?

Certainly! After the fish has thawed in the air fryer, season with your favorite spices and brush the fillets with olive oil or melted butter instead. Check out my Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe for all the details.

How do I keep the panko topping from falling off?

This isn't a thick panko breading...it's thin and crispy. Pressing the light panko topping firmly into the dressing before air frying lets the dressing acts as a glue, keeping our salmon crispy on the outside and moist and tender inside.