Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon
This Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon is a fun twist on a sushi roll and it’s perfect any night of the week. The blackened salmon is air fried to crispy perfection, then topped with a fresh cucumber, jalapeno, avocado salad. Dusted with sesame seeds, fresh cilantro and the BEST spicy creamy sauce, your entire family will LOVE this recipe.
Option to serve this dish over a bed of rice for a heartier meal or you can enjoy it as is. Either way, this recipe is so delicious.
Substitutions and Ingredients Needed for Spicy Hasselback Salmon
Salmon – You’ll need two, 6-ounce salmon filets for this recipe. Be sure to remove any pin bones and leave the skin on. Slice the salmon into 1-inch-thick slices to create the hasselback effect. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel then drizzle it with avocado oil. Rub the oil in well then add the blackening spice. Make sure the salmon is well coated in the rub.
Avocado Oil – You’ll need two tablespoons of avocado oil for this recipe. Make sure the hasselback salmon is well coated in the oil before adding the blackening spice.
Blackening Rub – Combine dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, onion powder and cayenne in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
Spicy Creamy Sauce – Combine kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, low sodium soy sauce, and maple syrup. Mix well, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Salad – Combine diced English cucumber, finely diced jalapeno, and diced avocado in a small bowl. Add the juice from half of a lime, pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of cracked black pepper. Gently toss and set aside.
How to Make Spicy Hasselback Salmon
Make the Sauce
Combine kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, low sodium soy sauce, and maple syrup. Mix well, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the Salad
Combine diced English cucumber, finely diced jalapeno, and diced avocado in a small bowl. Add the juice from half of a lime, pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of cracked black pepper. Gently toss and set aside.
Make the Rice
Boil rice according to the package. You’ll want a ½ cup of cooked rice per person.
Prepare the Salmon
You’ll need two, 6-ounce salmon filets for this recipe. Be sure to remove any pin bones and leave the skin on. Slice the salmon into 1-inch-thick slices to create the hasselback effect. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel then drizzle it with avocado oil. Rub the oil in well then add the blackening spice. Make sure the salmon is well coated in the rub.
Air Fry the Salmon
Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil cooking spray. Add the salmon to the basket. Place the salmon it on its side so each piece can get crispy. Air fry for 5-6 minutes at 400 degrees. This will give you a medium-plus temperature. Remove the salmon from the basket.
If you do not place it on its side, cooking time might vary. Cooking time may also vary based on the thickness of the salmon.
Assemble the Dish
Grab two bowls, add rice to each bowl. Add the crispy hasselback salmon to each bowl with the skin on. Top each piece with salad, sesame seeds, cilantro and spicy creamy sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
How to Store Spicy Hasselback Salmon
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave. Store extra spicy sauce in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Looking for more recipes?
- Air Fryer Summer Salmon
- Chopped Smoked Salmon Salad
- Spicy Salmon Roll Bowls
- Air Fryer Blackened Salmon
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s
What is the best type of salmon to use for this recipe? Scottish or Atlantic salmon works best for this recipe. The thicker cuts or center cuts of salmon are easier to slice into the hasselback style.
Why do you pat the salmon dry with paper towel? Removing the moisture on the surface of the salmon and its skin, allows the salmon to get a nice crispy sear on the outside.
Can you remove the skin before cooking? No, you have to have the skin on for two reasons. One, it helps lock in the moisture when air frying. And two, it allows the hasselback pieces to stay intact during air frying. Option to remove the skin once the cooked salmon is plated.
What air fryer are you using? I love my COSORI 4qt air fryer. I’ve had it for years and it works perfectly. However, it has a smaller basket. So, if you have a larger family you may want a larger air fryer with a larger basket.
Why do you use avocado oil? Avocado oil has a high smoke point and does not impart flavor on the salmon like olive oil would. It’s also the best cooking spray to use in any air fryer.
Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 3 mixing bowls sauce, salad, blackening spice
Ingredients
Salmon
- 12 ounces salmon, skin on, two 6-ounce fillets
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Spicy Creamy Sauce
- ¼ cup kewpie mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1.5 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
Salad
- ½ cup English cucumber, diced small
- 2 tablespoons jalapeno, finely diced
- 1 small avocado, diced small
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
- pinch kosher salt, to taste
- few turns cracked black pepper, to taste
Rice / Garnishes
- 1 cup rice, cooked
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds, divided
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, freshly chopped and divided
Instructions
How to Make Spicy Hasselback Salmon
Make the Sauce
- Combine kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, low sodium soy sauce, and maple syrup. Mix well, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the Salad
- Combine diced English cucumber, finely diced jalapeno, and diced avocado in a small bowl. Add the juice from half of a lime, pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of cracked black pepper. Gently toss and set aside.
Make the Rice
- Boil rice according to the package. You’ll want a ½ cup of cooked rice per person.
Prepare the Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Remove any pin bones and leave the skin on your salmon. Slice the salmon into 1-inch-thick slices to create the hasselback effect. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel then drizzle it with avocado oil. Rub the oil in well then add the blackening spice. Make sure the salmon is well coated in the rub.
Air Fry the Salmon
- Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil cooking spray. Add the salmon to the basket. Place the salmon it on its side so each piece can get crispy. Air fry for 5-6 minutes at 400 degrees. This will give you a medium-plus temperature. Remove the salmon from the basket. If you do not place it on its side, cooking time might vary. Cooking time may also vary based on the thickness of the salmon.
Assemble the Dish
- Grab two bowls, add rice to each bowl. Add the crispy hasselback salmon to each bowl with the skin on. Top each piece with salad, sesame seeds, cilantro and spicy creamy sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
110 Comments on “Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon”
This was so delicious. My husband, who is not a fish fan, ate every bite.
I did reduce the cayenne by half because we are spice pansies.
Amazing! Thank you for the review!
My daughter sent me this recipe and I made it for her and some friends. Everyone loved it!! It is really delicious! The sauce is so yummy I wanted to drink it lol! Love the crispy salmon!
Making it again tonight at my house and I have an air fryer setting in my oven so will be cooking it that way. I expect it will turn out just as good!
So glad you enjoyed!
This recipe was insanely good, my husband who doesn’t love fish and my toddler couldn’t get enough of it. I devoured it faster than I wish to share. Simple to make, the sauce was INSANE!! Love love love! MAKE THIS! Don’t hesitate!!
Yay! Thank you for the review! So happy you and your family enjoyed!
The recipe is great!
I modified ever so slightly with salmon pieces instead of a whole filet. My air fryer features with metal trays that allow air movement all over the food.
It’s a step up from seasoning just with salt and pepper.
So glad you enjoyed! thank you for the review!
Super easy and delicious meal that comes together so quickly. First time ever doing salmon in the air fryer and I can’t believe how good it was! Highly recommend.
Salmon in the air fryer is game changer!!
This recipe is fire people! It has the all the flavors of a spicy salmon role and it couldn’t be easier to make. It’s the least hassle healthy dinner I’ve made in a long time. Thank you, Sarah!
So glad you enjoyed it! thank you for the review!
Saw this one on Instagram and was sent the recipe. Have made it twice now. I don’t have an air fryer but it worked great in the oven.
This is our new family favourite.
So happy you enjoyed it!
This was simple and so flavorful! Hasslebacking the salmon made each piece perfectly cooked on both the inside and out. The seasoning of the salmon with the salsa was exceptional. New fast and easy salmon recipe for sure!
So glad you enjoyed it! thank you for the review!
Such a great recipe! Made this tonight for my husband and I.. he loved it! It will definitely be in our salmon recipes rotation!
So glad you enjoyed it, Marisa!
Delish. Top 5 things I’ve ever made.
So awesome! Thank you for the feedback!
I made this dish and was in love. It is simple , quick and super delicious. A great weekday meal when you have less time for cooking. It ticks all the boxes and is heathy and satisfying. I will be making this on the regular.
thank you, Renee!
This recipe has become a family favorite!
Yay!! Thanks for letting me know!
This was absolutely delicious!!! We loved the combination of flavors. Can’t wait to make it again!!!
Thanks, Mary!
SO easy and delicious! my new favorite meal prep staple! i’ll add some seaweed snacks for an easy lunch and to give it more of a sushi bowl vibe 🙂 i skipped the cilantro and added lots of sesame seeds simply because i wanted to and i recommend that as well!
So glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you!
The only thing bad about this recipe is we made it, and now it’s gone! This was so very good. Highly recommend making this dish if you enjoy salmon. We put the recipe in the front 10 of our favorites folder. Mmmm! Mmm!
Haha thank you, Melanie! So happy you enjoyed it!