A few months ago I finally caved and got an air fryer. For a long time I was convinced it was an appliance I didn’t need and wouldn’t use. Boy, was I wrong! I have used my air fryer so frequently and for so many things. I absolutely love how quickly it cooks things, no preheating time, and gives everything you cook in it the perfect crispy exterior. I know there are a lot of air fryers out there, but I have been happy with mine. Even with a large family, if I need to cook in batches it doesn’t feel like an inconvenience since everything cooks so quicky. One of my favorite things to cook in my air fryer has been fish, especially salmon. It cooks so perfectly, especially for these air fryer salmon taco bowls. Served with cilantro lime rice and a fresh pineapple salsa, it’s a meal that tastes like it took a while to cook but couldn’t be quicker or easier.
Ingredients for Salmon Taco Bowls
- Salmon! We are using fresh, wild salmon from Copper River Salmon. I have always been so happy with their salmon and use it all the time at home.
- Rice: long grain white rice.
- Cilantro: using a whole bunch of fresh cilantro here!
- Limes: we are using lime juice in both the rice and the pineapple salsa.
- Pineapple: a fresh sweet pineapple is best, make sure it’s ripe.
- Jalapeno: I use one large or two small ones for the salsa.
- Red onion: I use half a large red onion for the salsa.
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika are all used for the rub for the salmon. You’ll also need salt for the rice.
- Olive oil: we don’t need much, just a little olive oil for the salmon and a little for the rice!
How to Make Salmon Taco Bowls
- This salmon will cook so quickly, the first things you’ll want to do are prepare your cilantro lime rice and pineapple salsa. You can even make the pineapple salsa in advance and refrigerate. It’s a simple recipe using fresh pineapple, jalapeno, red onion, and lime juice. You can do everything to taste, but I use 1 large or 2 small jalapenos, half a red onion, the juice of one lime, and one whole pineapple.
- For the cilantro lime rice, bring three cups of water to a boil and add 1 1/2 cups of long grain white rice, 1 tbsp. olive oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt, then reduce to a simmer. After the water is almost gone, turn off the heat and place the lid on the pot. After a few minutes add the juice of one lime and the fresh cilantro.
- And finally, for the salmon, season the fish with salt, pepper, brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Drizzle with a thin layer of olive oil and use your hands to coat. Then air fry at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. That’s it!
- Serve your air fryer salmon with cilantro lime rice and pineapple salsa for a quick, fresh meal.
This salmon recipe is so quick, easy, and delicious. All necessary checks for a perfect meal!
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lime
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 fresh pineapple, ripe and sweet
- 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- 1 lime
- In a small bow, mix together brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt, olive oil, and rice and simmer until the water is almost gone. Once you're at that point, turn off the heat and place the lid on the saucepan. Let the rice absorb the remaining water and fluff with a fork, then add the fresh cilantro and the juice of one lime.
- Rub the salmon fillets with the dry rub and just enough olive oil to coat. Cook the salmon in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. If you don't have an air fryer, heat some additional oil into a large skillet and cook the salmon for about 4 minutes per side until it is fork-tender.
- Place a scoop of cilantro lime rice in a shallow bowl with a salmon fillet and some of the pineapple salsa.
- Enjoy!
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