Salmon is an excellent choice for a quick weekday meal or an impressive centrepiece. Its ability to absorb diverse flavours and its flaky texture make it a favourite. Chef Imran Ali, known as What In The Chef, has revealed a method for achieving the 'perfect char' and 'perfect crisp' on salmon without using a pan or oven. Instead, he recommends an air fryer.
Air Fryer Tandoori Salmon
In a TikTok video for Channel 4's Served, Ali demonstrated how to make tandoori salmon with pilau rice using an air fryer. He said, 'Perfect crisp. Perfect char. Done in the air fryer, this tandoori salmon with pilau rice. Watch how easy it is.'
The key to the dish is a fragrant tandoori marinade. Ali emphasised, 'Once you make this, you don’t understand how much flavour there is in this, man.' For a more intense flavour, the salmon can be left in the marinade for a few hours. Cooking takes only 10 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.
The video has garnered over 88,300 views, 5,781 likes, and 32 comments. One viewer commented, 'Your vids have been saved pregnancy craving now best ring my other half and tell him to get some salmon.' Another wrote, 'This guy kills it. Defo trying this.' Shez Cooks said, 'This might convince me to like salmon it looks soooo frickin good.'
Ingredients
For the Tandoori Salmon
- Two salmon fillets
- Two garlic cloves, grated
- ½ tsp ginger paste or fresh ginger, grated
- One tbsp natural yoghurt
- 0.25 tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 0.25 tbsp tandoori masala powder
- 0.25 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Pinch of kasuri methi
- Wedge of lemon
- One tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp mint sauce
- ½ tsp red food colouring (optional)
- 0.25 tsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Fresh coriander, chopped
For the Pilau Rice
- 100g extra-long grain basmati
- One tbsp ghee
- Two cardamom pods
- Two whole cloves
- One small star anise
- ½ tsp turmeric
- One cup boiling water
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Combine yoghurt, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, tandoori masala, chilli powder, onion powder, kasuri methi, lemon wedge, olive oil, and mint sauce. Mix well, then add red food colouring if using.
- Add salmon fillets, salt, and black pepper. Coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 20 minutes (longer for more flavour).
- Wash rice. Heat ghee in a pan, add cardamom, cloves, star anise, and turmeric. Cook for one minute. Add rice and salt, then pour in boiling water. Simmer covered for 15 minutes, then rest for 15 minutes.
- Place salmon on oiled air fryer paper, drizzle with olive oil, and air fry at 190°C for 10–12 minutes.
- Top with chopped coriander and serve with pilau rice.
