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!
106 Comments on “Air Fryer Spicy Hasselback Salmon”
This is now a weekly staple and we absolutely love it!! I use this sauce for other recipes and its so easy and so glad i learned it! This dish presents so much fancier than it actually is, super easy and delicious!
thanks so much!
Thank you, Mimi! So glad you enjoy!
This was delicious and so easy to put together! It was one of the elevated meals I will prepare again!
So glad you enjoyed!
Can I make this in the oven? I don’t have an air fryer
Yes! 400 degrees 12-14 minutes!
I wish I could send a picture! The Salmon Hasselback salad was amazing! I cooked the salmon in the oven because I don’t have an air fryer. I’m not fond of them, but for those of you who have them congratulations that’s great!😁
So I put it in the oven for 12 minutes at 400 degrees and I like medium rare salmon and it turned out perfectly. Everything was amazing crunchy wonderful textures and absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for this recipe.🙏🏼❤️😊
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the review!
I wish I could send a picture! The Salmon Hasselback salad was amazing! I cooked the salmon in the oven because I don’t have an air fryer. I’m not fond of them, but for those of you who have them congratulations that’s great!😁
So I put it in the oven for 12 minutes at 400 degrees and I like medium rare salmon and it turned out perfectly. Everything was amazing crunchy wonderful textures and absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for this recipe.🙏🏼❤️😊
One of the best recipes I’ve ever tried!
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed!
so so good ! will be making this ALOT
This is an amazing dish. I don’t often use the word delightful, but nothing else suffices. Put it together quickly after work, it’s fairly simple. I thought it would be good, but I wasn’t prepared for how fabulous it would be. It’s light and it gives a sushi vibe, perfect for warmer weather. It’s a healthy, very filling and satisfying. Husband is also enthralled with it. We will be putting it on repeat at our house.
Tanya, this thrills me! Thank you for the review!
So delish! I’ve been with my husband for 10 years and he said this was the best meal I’ve ever made. 🤣 love it and will be making it often!
Love that!! Thanks for the review, Rebecca!
Absolutely delicious!!
so happy you enjoyed it!
Packed with flavor and super easy to prepare! My family loved the recipe, thank you!
Thank you for the review!
This recipe is 10/10…. Easy to make with ingredients that you already you typically have in your kitchen and the dressing is quick and top tier adding extra flavors. I added cilantro lime rice paired with a sauvignon blanc on the patio.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
sounds like the perfect evening!