Furikake Salmon (Baked And Air Fried)
on Mar 20, 2022, Updated Aug 24, 2023
Furikake Salmon is a delicious and healthy recipe. Salmon fillets are coated with a layer of Furikake seasoning and mayonnaise and baked or air-fried until cooked to perfection. This fuss-free, umami-packed salmon dish can be made in under 30 minutes.
Here are some more fish recipes that you may like: Fish Fingers, Honey Garlic Fish, Spicy Baked Basa, and Spicy Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia.
About Furikake Salmon
Furikake Salmon is a delicious dish in which salmon fillets are coated with a layer of Japanese Furikake seasoning and mayonnaise and then baked or air-fried until cooked perfectly.
You only need four ingredients and 30 minutes to bring this umami-packed, fuss-free recipe together.
Furikake Salmon is crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, making it a perfect flavor-packed Asian meal. It is savory and loaded with umami flavors.
Ingredients
Salmon – For this omega-3-packed recipe, you can use large Atlantic or individual salmon fillets. Fresh salmon is always best, but you can use frozen if you can’t find fresh fish.
If frozen salmon filets are used, thaw them before using them.
I like to use fish with the skin on one side as it helps hold the fillets better, but you can use skinless fillets, too.
Furikake Seasoning – The star ingredient adds a crunchy and delicious ocean umami flavor to the salmon. Pronounced as “Fy-r-ih-kah-kay,” Furikake is a Japanese multi-purpose seasoning mixture of dried nori seaweed, black and white sesame seeds, salt, and kelp powder.
Furikake seasoning comes with and without added MSG. Choose the one that you prefer.
It is available in the Asian aisle of large grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or any local Asian grocery store. You can also buy it online.
Mayonnaise is mixed with soy sauce. It acts like a glue for furikake seasoning, locks in moisture, and keeps the fish nice and tender. Use any regular mayonnaise that’s easily available.
You can also use Japanese mayo (Kewpie mayo) if it is easily available. It is richer and loaded with umami flavors and will make salmon fillets even more tender.
Kewpie mayonnaise is available in all Japanese grocery stores. It comes in a clear plastic bottle with a red cap. It is also available in the international aisle of some major grocery stores and on online portals like Amazon.
Soy Sauce – This Furikake salmon recipe uses soy sauce, which adds an umami flavor when mixed with mayo. You can also use Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) if it is easily available.
Use low-sodium soy sauce if you are watching your salt intake, and use tamari for a gluten-free recipe.
You can also mix a little wasabi paste in the mayonnaise mixture.
Add a little garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper powder to the mayonnaise soy sauce mix for a spicy kick. You can also add Sriracha or Togarashi to the mayonnaise mixture.
Pro Tips By Neha
Pat dry the salmon properly before adding anything on top.
Try to keep the skin on the salmon fillets, as it holds the fish better, but if the fish is without skin, make sure to grease the baking dish well with butter or oil.
Baking time may depend on the oven! The fish is cooked in my oven in 8 minutes, but if it’s not cooked for you, increase the time by a minute or two. The same goes for the air fryer.
The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork. If the flesh of the fish flakes, then it’s cooked.
Don’t overcook the fish; otherwise, it will become tough and dry.
Use a fish spatula to transfer the baked fish to the serving plates. The fish spatula is long and flat, with a flexible and slightly curved edge. This allows it to easily slide under the fish and lift it without breaking it apart. The flexible edge is also helpful for gently turning the fish over and maneuvering it around the pan or grill.
How To Make Furikake Salmon
In An Oven
Bring 2 6-8 oz salmon fillets from the refrigerator and let them sit on the counter for 10 minutes.
Note – If using a large piece of salmon, slice it across the grain into smaller pieces.
Rinse them well.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (for easy clean-up).
Stir together 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon soy sauce in a small bowl. It won’t be a smooth mixture. You want them to come together slightly.
Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel.
Place salmon fillets skin side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Use a spoon to apply the mayonnaise soy sauce mixture on the fillets. Make sure to cover the entire top of the salmon with the mayonnaise.
Sprinkle furikake seasoning over the mayonnaise soy sauce mixture.
Keep the tray in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
Drizzle with a squeeze of lemon juice and enjoy!
In An Air Fryer
Once you top the salmon fillets with mayo, soy sauce, and furikake, place it with the skin side down in a greased air fryer tray in a single layer.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes or until the fish is flaky and cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place the salmon fillet on a cutting board and slice it across the grain into 2-4 servings using a sharp knife.
Yes, sure, you can.
Yes, you can use any boneless fish fillets to make this recipe. Just keep a check on the cooking time, which depends on the thickness of the fillets. Ideally, the cooked fish has an internal temperature of 145 -150 degrees F.
My other favorites are trout, cod, ahi tuna, mahi mahi, sea bass, halibut, and arctic char.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this umami-packed salmon dish freshly cooked, as the salmon will lose its crisp texture after some time. This dish also tastes great when it’s cold; however, the crunch is gone.
Serve Furikake Salmon on a bed of Instant Pot White Jasmine Rice or brown rice with a side of soy sauce or teriyaki sauce or on its own with a refreshing salad or sauteed veggies.
You can also serve it with sushi rice, cauliflower rice, sauteed green beans, roasted asparagus & bok choy, and avocado slices for a delicious weeknight meal.
Cut the furikake salmon into small pieces, wrap them into nori sheets with rice, and make delicious sushi rolls.
You Might Also Like
Main Course
Shrimp Mei Fun (Rice Noodles Stir Fry)
Main Course
Hibachi Noodles
Main Course
Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles
Furikake Salmon Recipe (Baked or Air Fried)
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets ((6-8 ounces each) skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Furikake seasoning
Instructions
In An Oven
- Bring the salmon fillets out from the refrigerator and let them sit on the counter for 10 minutes.
- Note – If using a large piece of salmon, slice it across the grain into smaller pieces.
- Rinse them well.
- Preheat the oven to 400℉ (200℃) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (for easy clean-up).
- Stir together mayonnaise and soy sauce in a bowl. It won’t be a smooth mixture. You just want them to slightly come together.
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel.
- Place the salmon skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Use a spoon to apply the mayonnaise soy sauce mixture on top of each salmon fillet. Make sure to cover the entire top of the salmon with a thin layer of mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle a layer of furikake over the mayonnaise soy sauce mixture.
- Keep the tray in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.
- Drizzle with a squeeze of lime juice and enjoy!
In An Air Fryer
- Once you top the salmon fillets with mayo, soy sauce, and furikake, place it with the skin side down in a greased air fryer tray in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400℉ (200℃) for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is flaky and cooked through.
