This Air Fryer Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe will be your go to dinner when you want a gourmet meal at home, without all the work. With minimal prep, fresh ingredients and a deliciously creamy tomato basil sauce, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in about 20 minutes. Easily, serve this salmon over rice or pasta, for a complete meal.
Why You Should Make This Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce
- Quick and Easy: Using the air fryer cuts down cooking time without sacrificing flavor. You can have perfectly cooked salmon and a rich tomato cream sauce in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
- Healthy and Delicious: Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, and this recipe highlights its natural flavor with a simple seasoning blend. Pair that with fresh tomatoes and basil, and you’ve got a healthy, satisfying meal.
- Versatile: This salmon pairs beautifully with steamed rice, but you can also serve it with pasta, couscous or even mashed potatoes. The tomato cream sauce adds richness and depth, making it a great addition to many side dishes.
Ingredients
- Salmon: You can substitute with other firm, flaky fish like cod, halibut or trout. For a more affordable option, try tilapia or even chicken breasts for a non-fish alternative.
- Seasoning: Feel free to use your favorite blend of seasonings for the salmon.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Regular tomatoes (chopped) are a great substitute. You could also try sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, or use coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative.
- Fresh Basil: Swap with fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill. Dried basil can also be used, though you’ll need to reduce the amount (about 1/2 teaspoon dried).
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the salmon dry and brush with olive oil.
- Season the salmon with this blend.
- Add the cherry tomatoes to a bowl with the remaining olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon of salt and black pepper. Toss to coat.
- Place the salmon filets into the air fryer basket, and pour the seasoned tomatoes around the salmon.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through (less time will be needed for thinner salmon filets).
- While the salmon finishes, heat a sauté pan on the stove. Remove the salmon from the air fryer and set aside.
- Pour the contents of the air fryer basket (tomatoes and juices) into the hot pan.
- Add the heavy cream to the pan, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh basil.
- Serve the salmon over steamed rice if desired, and spoon the tomato cream sauce over the top.
- Garnish with additional basil.
Oven Method
If you do not have an air fryer, follow these directions to prepare this Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce using the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Follow the same steps to prep the salmon and cherry tomatoes.
- Place the salmon on a prepared baking sheet, and scatter the seasoned tomatoes around it.
- Bake the salmon and tomatoes for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Continue using the same steps to finish.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve: This air fryer salmon with tomato cream sauce is perfect over steamed rice, but it also pairs well with pasta, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. The rich tomato cream sauce adds a luxurious touch to any side.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat the salmon and sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
More Salmon with Cream Sauce Recipes to Love
- Salmon with Dijon Cream Sauce
- Crabmeat Stuffed Salmon with Creamy Cajun Sauce
- Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce
- Creamy Creole Salmon with Shrimp
- Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Air Fryer Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce
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- Author: Charlotte Fashion Plate
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This Air Fryer Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe will be your new go to dinner when you want a gourmet meal at home, without all the work. With minimal prep, fresh ingredients and a deliciously creamy tomato basil sauce, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in about 20 minutes. Easily, serve this salmon over rice or pasta, for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 (6-8 ounce) salmon filets
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Steamed rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the salmon dry and brush with 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/4 teaspoon salt, paprika, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Season the salmon with this blend.
- Add the cherry tomatoes to a bowl with the remaining olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Toss to coat.
- Place the salmon filets into the air fryer basket, and pour the seasoned tomatoes around the salmon.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through (less time will be needed for thinner salmon filets).
- While the salmon finishes, heat a sauté pan on the stove. Remove the salmon from the air fryer and set aside.
- Pour the contents of the air fryer basket (tomatoes and juices) into the hot pan.
- Add the heavy cream to the pan, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh basil.
- Serve the salmon over steamed rice if desired, and spoon the tomato cream sauce over the top.
- Garnish with additional basil.
- ENJOY!
@charlottefashionplate Air Fryer Salmon Recipe! This Air Fryer Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe will be your go to dinner when you want a gourmet meal at home, without all the work. With minimal prep, fresh ingredients and a deliciously creamy tomato basil sauce, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in under 20 minutes. #salmon #airfryer #airfryermaster #airfryerrecipes #easydinner #easyrecipe #quickrecipes #foodtiktok
♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Notes
- Pat the salmon dry before brushing on the olive oil to help the spices stick and promote a nice crust.
- For a richer sauce, let the heavy cream simmer for a couple of minutes to thicken.
- If using larger tomatoes, chop them into bite-sized pieces to cook evenly with the salmon.
- Adding the lemon juice off the heat helps preserve its bright, fresh flavor.
- If using substitutions, taste and adjust seasoning as needed to maintain balanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Seafood
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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