Why This Stuffed Salmon in Air Fryer Works
Tested this at three different temperatures before landing on 390°F, that’s the sweet spot for crispy edges without drying out the fish. The ricotta filling stays creamy while the salmon cooks through perfectly.
Set your Air Fryer to preheat while you prep. Saves about 3 minutes and gives you better browning on the outside same idea as air fryer butternut squash.
✅ Done in 15 minutes flat
✅ Costs $8 vs $24 at restaurants
✅ Ricotta stays creamy, salmon stays moist
✅ Harissa adds kick without overwhelming
✅ No oven heating in summer
First batch came out soggy because I didn’t preheat, learned that the hard way. Now I always give it the full 3-minute preheat like I’d check a furnace before starting a repair.
What You Need for Stuffed Salmon
The ricotta-harissa combo here reminds me of stuffed chicken recipes my dad made in SF, but faster. You need maybe five things from Hornbacher’s, nothing fancy.
✔ Salmon fillets : skin-on works better, holds the filling in place
✔ Ricotta cheese : whole milk version, not the low-fat stuff
✔ Frozen spinach : thawed and squeezed completely dry
✔ Harissa paste : found in the international aisle, adds smoky heat
✔ Black pepper : freshly ground if you have it
Everything mixes in one bowl, no complicated prep required.
How to Make Stuffed Salmon in Air Fryer
Stuffed salmon in Air Fryer takes about 12 minutes once you’ve got everything prepped. The hardest part is not opening the basket too early to check.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes
- Mix ricotta, spinach, harissa, and pepper in a bowl
- Cut a pocket into each salmon fillet lengthwise
- Stuff each pocket with the ricotta mixture
- Place salmon in basket, stuffed side up
- Cook 12 minutes without opening the basket
- Check internal temp hits 125°F with instant read thermometer
Flip them? No. Leave them alone. Opening the basket drops the temp and adds 3-4 minutes to your cook time.
Got leftover filling? Save it, makes a solid dip with pita chips the next day or mix it into scrambled eggs.
Getting the Temperature Right
How long to cook stuffed salmon in Air Fryer depends on thickness, but 12 minutes at 390°F works for standard 4-6 oz fillets. You want internal temp at 125°F for medium doneness, that’s where it stays moist but fully cooked.
The ricotta filling acts like insulation. Protects the salmon from drying out while the outside gets golden and slightly crispy. First time I tried this at 350°F, took forever and the edges got rubbery.
Look for the salmon to turn opaque pink and the ricotta to bubble slightly at the edges. If your Air Fryer runs hot, drop to 380°F and add 2 minutes. If it’s a weaker model, bump to 400°F but watch closely after 10 minutes.
Don’t trust the fish to “look done”, use an instant read thermometer. Stick it in the thickest part, away from the filling. Saves you from overcooking every time.
Ways to Change Up Stuffed Salmon
Want something milder?
Drop the harissa, use cream cheese instead of ricotta, and add fresh dill. Jessica requests this version when she’s had a long day at Bennett Elementary. The dill gives it that classic steakhouse vibe without any heat. Takes the same 12 minutes, just tastes completely different.
Mediterranean spin works too, swap spinach for sun-dried tomatoes and add feta to the ricotta. Tested it last Sunday during meal prep and Lily actually asked for seconds. The feta adds salt so skip the extra seasoning.
What Goes with Stuffed Salmon in Air Fryer
Serve stuffed salmon in Air Fryer with roasted asparagus or Air Fryer Sweet Potato both done in 15 minutes if you time it right. Toss the asparagus in the air fryer basket for the last 8 minutes of the salmon’s cook time.
Garlic rice
Plain rice feels boring, but garlic rice matches the harissa heat without competing. Make it while the salmon cooks, by the time you plate everything, dinner’s ready. My go-to ratio is 1 cup rice, 2 cloves minced garlic, cook normal.
Simple green salad
Arugula with lemon dressing cuts through the richness of the ricotta. Jessica makes this while I handle the Air Fryer. Takes maybe 3 minutes to throw together, adds crunch and freshness to the plate.
Lemony couscous
Couscous rehydrates in 5 minutes. Add lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil. Works better than rice when you’re really short on time—like Tuesday nights when I get home from a long HVAC call at 6:30. Or air fryer potatoes and carrots.
Pair it with something acidic or crunchy. The salmon’s rich enough that it needs balance.
Storing Leftover Stuffed Salmon
Stuffed salmon in Air Fryer keeps better than most fish recipes because the ricotta filling protects the meat from drying out. Just let it cool before packing.
Storage
- At room temperature: Don’t. Fish spoils fast, get it in the fridge within 30 minutes
- In the fridge: 2 days max in an airtight container, keeps the fishy smell contained
- In the freezer: Not recommended, ricotta separates when thawed and gets grainy
Reheating
Air Fryer’s still your best bet for reheating. Set to 350°F for 5-6 minutes. The filling warms through and the outside crisps back up without overcooking the salmon.
Microwave works if you’re desperate, but expect rubbery texture. 30-second bursts on 50% power, check often. Oven takes too long and dries everything out.
Anti-waste tip
Flake leftover salmon into a bowl, mix with the filling, spread on toast. Makes a solid breakfast with potatoes o brien air fryer or quick lunch. Costs nothing extra and tastes better than it sounds.
Buddy always waits by the Air Fryer when I make this, he knows something good’s cooking.
Full Recipe for Stuffed Salmon in Air Fryer
This stuffed salmon in Air Fryer recipe delivers crispy edges and creamy filling in 15 minutes total. The harissa adds smoky heat without overpowering the fish. Costs about $8 to make at home versus $24 at a restaurant.
Stuffed Salmon in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer (basket style)
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Instant-read thermometer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 fillets salmon 260 g total, about 4–6 oz each, skin-on preferred
- 4 tablespoons ricotta cheese whole milk
- 100 g frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 pinch salt small pinch
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Squeeze the thawed spinach completely dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, harissa paste, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Cut a horizontal pocket into the side of each fillet, about 2 inches deep, without cutting through.
- Stuff each pocket with half of the ricotta mixture, pressing gently to pack it in.
- Place the stuffed salmon in the Air Fryer basket, stuffed side up, leaving space between fillets.
- Cook at 390°F for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
- Check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer; it should read 125°F in the thickest part.
- Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For hotter-running Air Fryers, drop to 380°F and add 2 minutes; for weaker models, go to 400°F and check after 10 minutes.
- Do not open the basket during cooking, heat loss can add 3–4 minutes and dry out the fish.
- Aim for 125°F internal temperature for moist, medium doneness.
- Swap harissa for fresh dill and use cream cheese instead of ricotta for a milder version.
- Reheat leftovers in the Air Fryer at 350°F for 5–6 minutes; avoid freezing as ricotta can turn grainy.
Common Questions About Stuffed Salmon
First time I made stuffed salmon in Air Fryer, I had the same questions everyone asks. Here’s what actually works after testing different methods.
How long to cook stuffed salmon in Air Fryer at 390F?
12 minutes at 390°F for 4-6 oz fillets. Check with instant read thermometer, internal temp should hit 125°F in the thickest part.
What temperature for stuffed salmon in Air Fryer?
390°F is the sweet spot. Tested at 350°F, 380°F, and 400°F, 390°F gives crispy edges without drying out the fish.
Can you air fry store bought stuffed salmon?
Yes, but reduce temp to 370°F and check at 10 minutes. Store-bought fillings are usually pre-cooked and just need warming through.
How to keep stuffed salmon moist in Air Fryer?
Don’t open the basket during cooking. The ricotta filling acts like insulation and keeps the salmon from drying out if you leave it alone.
Try This Recipe
Stuffed salmon in Air Fryer beats takeout salmon every time, costs $8 versus $24 and takes 15 minutes. Rate the recipe below if you make it, helps other people find it when they’re searching for quick weeknight dinners.
Drop a comment if you try a different filling combo. Always curious what works in other people’s kitchens. Tested the harissa version three times before posting, but there’s probably ten other ways to stuff salmon that work just as well.
Snap a pic and tag #AirFryerPlates or @AirFryerPlates if you’re on Instagram. Good chance I’ll reshare it, always looking for real results from real kitchens, not just the perfect shots. See you next week with another tested recipe.
