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Ah, the magic of Christmas and its delicious meals… This crispy salmon fillet in the Airfryer is kind of my little secret to impress without overcomplicating things. You know, I love it when it’s quick but with that little something that makes all the difference.
Honestly, this salmon is the perfect guest: not too heavy, and then that crispiness, yum, it changes everything. Once, I tried loads of complicated recipes, but I always come back to this one, simple and effective. Plus, the Airfryer is a golden ally when you’re short on time.
I admit I often forget one detail: drying the salmon well before brushing it. It changes the cooking, and you get that famous crispiness I’m after. And grape seed oil, I tell you, it’s a treasure – it withstands heat well, so no bitterness.
You can accompany this dish with sweet potato purée (my personal touch, I really recommend it), or fresh tagliatelle with just a little drizzle of cream for smoothness. Nothing complicated, and yet, it makes a nice impression at the table!
Crispy Christmas-style Salmon Fillets: Essential Ingredients for Your Airfryer
- 4 salmon fillets without bones, skin intact (this is important for crispiness)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce – not too much, just to enhance
- 2 tablespoons grape seed oil – it’s my choice, but you can also use olive oil, just a little
- Salt and 5-berry pepper for seasoning
If you want a little festive twist, don’t hesitate to add a pinch of nutmeg in your purée or a pinch of ginger to the soy sauce to subtly enhance the flavor.
How to Prepare Christmas-style Salmon Fillets in the Airfryer Without Stress
- Step 1: Take your salmon out of the fridge and carefully remove all the bones. Dry them thoroughly with absorbent paper, this prevents releasing too much water and becoming soggy.
- Step 2: Brush each fillet with soy sauce using a brush (yes, I know, this detail may seem silly but it makes a difference in taste).
- Step 3: Place the fillets in the Airfryer basket without touching each other, skin against the bottom – it must crisp up, that’s the key.
- Step 4: Drizzle a little grape seed oil on each fillet, then lightly salt and pepper with the 5-berry mix (I love this pepper for Christmas, it has a slightly warm and nice flavor).
- Step 5: Start cooking at 200°C for 7 minutes. If your Airfryer is a bit powerful, watch from 6 minutes – the salmon should brown without burning, and stay pink at the center.
When I test this recipe, sometimes I add a bit of lime zest at the end – it adds pep and is very fresh with the salmon.
Essential Utensils to Delight Your Festive Table
- Airfryer – clearly the hero of this recipe
- Kitchen brush to finely spread the soy sauce
- Paper towels to properly dry the salmon fillets
- Sharp knife to remove bones (saves time)
- Bowl to mix your oil and soy sauce if needed
It’s crazy how a device we sometimes neglect changes life in the kitchen. I long ignored the Airfryer, but for this salmon, it has become essential, especially for festive meals when we’re running around.
Delicious Side Dishes to Highlight the Fineness of Christmas Salmon
- Sweet potato purée, delicately flavored with nutmeg (my favorite)
- Fresh tagliatelle topped with a drizzle of light cream
- Roasted seasonal vegetables, like small carrots or asparagus (yes, you can indulge without excess)
- A glass of dry white wine to accompany, if you wish
One day, I tried celery purée, not bad either, but honestly sweet potato remains top for a cozy and warm Christmas.
There you go, you’re ready to serve a crispy salmon fillet that hits the spot at Christmas without the stress of a complicated recipe. Plus, it’s healthy and pleases almost everyone – even those who aren’t fish fans usually appreciate it!
