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Whether you’re cooking dinner in a hurry or just have some salmon that you want to use, this Air Fryer Salmon is the recipe that never lets you down. Salmon cooks beautifully in the Air Fryer with a flaky inside and slightly crisp edges- and it takes just 10 minutes to make!
If you’ve tried and liked my air fryer swai fish, you’re going to love this recipe! It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner- teamed up with some rice and air fryer broccoli.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader View
“Only one word AWESOME”
-Bernac
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Subtle and delicate
- ⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 2 servings
- 🥄 Tools: Air Fryer
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: No
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Use leftovers as a stuffing for your homemade tacos. You can do this with air fryer halibut and almost any other fish too!
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Air frying is such a game-changer when it comes to cooking quick meals. I’ve used it for so many of my everyday dinners, from the classic air fryer chicken thighs to juicy air fryer pork chops. It’s also ideal for cooking fish!
The texture is always perfect, and you don’t need a lot of oil to get that slightly crispy exterior, too. And of course, the fact that it cooks SO quickly makes it perfect for a rushed weeknight meal.
Pair your fish with a veggie side like air fryer asparagus or air fryer roasted zucchini, plus a carb of your choice, and dinner is done.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy, satisfying, and weeknight-easy: This air fryer salmon is quick to make, filling, and perfect for busy nights when you want something nutritious without a lot of effort—just like air fryer blackened salmon bites.
- Perfectly flaky with no mess: Air frying gives salmon that tender, fall-apart flaky texture without oil splatters, greasy pans, or extra cleanup.
- Easy to customize: From simple seasoning swaps to bold marinades, this recipe is endlessly adaptable so you can change up the flavors and keep things interesting.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon fillets: I typically use 6-ounce fillets. You can use skin-on or skinless salmon, depending on your preference. Skin-on fillets help protect the flesh from direct heat and can make the salmon more forgiving and moist, especially in basket-style air fryers. Skinless fillets cook slightly faster and allow seasonings to coat the fish evenly, but they’re easier to overcook, so start checking early.
- Seasonings: I used a bit of garlic powder and paprika along with salt and pepper for a bit of delicate flavor. You can use my homemade BBQ rub or homeamde poultry seasoning to add flavor to your salmon fillets.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture but also helps the seasonings stick to the salmon.
See recipe card for quantities.
Are you new to Air Fryers? Learn more about what is an air fryer and the BEST accessories to use with your air fryer?
Variations
This air fryer salmon recipe is easy to customize using the same cook time and temperature. Simply swap or add seasonings before cooking.
- Lemon Pepper Salmon: Season the fillets with lemon pepper seasoning and finish with fresh lemon juice after cooking for a bright, classic flavor.
- Cajun or Blackened Salmon: Use Cajun or blackened seasoning for a bold, slightly spicy twist. Keep an eye on it near the end, as spice blends with sugar can brown more quickly.
- Maple Dijon Salmon: Brush the salmon lightly with a mixture of Dijon mustard and maple syrup before air frying for a sweet-and-savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully. A spin on this air-fried honey mustard salmon!
- Brown Sugar Chili Salmon: Sprinkle the salmon with a small amount of brown sugar and chili powder for a sweet heat combo that works great in rice bowls or tacos. I used a similar combination when making these air fryer BBQ chicken wings, and they turned out SO good.
- Teriyaki-Style Salmon: Brush with teriyaki sauce during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking to prevent burning, then garnish with green onions or sesame seeds. Try these teriyaki salmon bites if you love these flavors.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
To get started, gather your ingredients, pat dry your salmon fillets, and preheat your air fryer to 380° F.
- Brush each salmon fillet lightly with olive oil. Then season the salmon generously on all sides.
- Place the filets in the basket. If using skin-on fillets, place them so the skin side is facing down.
- Air fry salmon for 10-12 minutes. Remove the salmon and allow to rest for a minute or two. Serve with a fresh green salad topped with air fryer croutons and loaded baked potatoes.
Air Fryer Salmon Cook Time & Doneness Guide
Salmon fillets can vary widely in thickness, which directly affects cook time. Use this guide as a starting point, and always check early to avoid overcooking.
Air Fryer Salmon Cook Time by Thickness (380°F)
| Salmon Thickness | Approximate Cook Time |
|---|---|
| ¾-inch thick | 8–10 minutes |
| 1-inch thick | 10–12 minutes |
| 1 ½-inch thick | 12–14 minutes |
How to Tell When Salmon Is Done
- Visual test: The salmon should be opaque on the outside and flake easily with a fork.
- Temperature test: For food safety, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F measured at the thickest part.
That said, many people prefer salmon cooked slightly less for a more tender, juicy texture. For medium doneness, start checking around 130–135°F, and for medium-well, aim for 140°F. The temperature will rise slightly as it rests.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space between each salmon fillet so hot air can circulate properly. Crowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of roasting.
- Want crispier edges? Add 1–2 extra minutes at the end of cooking, or briefly broil for about 1 minute after air frying. This is a trick I also use when making air fryer mahi mahi or air fryer tilapia for a slightly firmer, more golden finish.
- No flipping required: Unlike many air fryer recipes, salmon cooks evenly without flipping. Leaving it undisturbed helps keep the fillets intact and prevents sticking or breaking.
- Storing leftovers: Let the salmon cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer, and it works surprisingly well, though it may not be as crisp as thawed out salmon. Air fry frozen salmon fillets at 380°F, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time compared to fresh salmon. After about 7 minutes, once the outside has thawed enough, season the salmon and continue cooking until it flakes easily and reaches your desired internal temperature. For step-by-step instructions and exact timing, check out this guide on air fryer frozen salmon.
To keep air fryer salmon moist and tender, cook it at a moderate temperature and pull it as soon as it’s done. Air frying at 380°F gives you better control than higher heat, especially for thicker fillets. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F at the thickest part. Avoid overcooking by starting to check a few minutes early, especially with thinner fillets, and don’t overcrowd the basket so hot air can circulate evenly. After cooking, let the salmon rest for 1–2 minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute which keeps the fish from drying out.
The best way to reheat leftover air-fried salmon is in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes, just until warmed through. This gentle heat helps the salmon stay moist without drying it out. For step-by-step tips and timing, check out this guide on how to reheat leftover fish in the air fryer.
Yes, but it works best only for thinner or smaller salmon fillets. If you’re short on time, you can air fry thin fillets at 400°F (204°C) for about 6–8 minutes. Because the higher temperature cooks the salmon more quickly, it’s easier to overcook, so start checking early and remove the salmon as soon as it flakes easily or reaches your preferred internal temperature.
For thicker fillets, cooking at 380°F gives you better control and more even results.
Salmon can stick if the basket isn’t well-oiled or if the surface isn’t clean. Lightly brush or spray both the salmon and the air fryer basket with oil before cooking, and make sure any baked-on residue is fully cleaned off from previous use. For extra insurance, you can place the salmon on a small piece of perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers. This helps prevent sticking without blocking airflow. If using skin-on salmon, cook it skin-side down, which naturally reduces sticking and helps protect the fish during cooking
Serving Suggestions
Pair this air-fried salmon with simple sides like steamed rice, air fryer garlic knots, or air fryer smashed potatoes. Simple veggie sides like air-fried green beans or air fryer Brussels sprouts also work well.
Use leftover air fryer salmon to make fish tacos or as a topping for a grain bowl. If you loved this dish, you might also enjoy our other air fryer seafood recipes.
More Air Fryer Seafood Dinners
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Air Fryer Salmon
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 salmon filets, about 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teasoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Lightly brush salmon portions, on both sides, with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir together.
- Coat salmon with seasonings, on both sides of each filet. Place seasoned filets in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.
- Check for doneness using a fork. Salmon should flake easily, and internal temperature should be 145 degrees F. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space between each salmon fillet so hot air can circulate evenly and the salmon roasts instead of steaming.
- For crispier edges: Add 1–2 extra minutes at the end of cooking or briefly broil for about 1 minute for a slightly firmer, more golden finish.
- No flipping needed: Salmon cooks evenly without flipping, which helps keep the fillets intact and prevents sticking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oñly one word AWESOME
Love that!!! Salmon is literally the BEST in the air fryer.
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes. Your recipes are so easy to do in an airfyer, and I now use my air fryer more. Love the air fryer recipes you send as I now don’t end up with dry salmon. My family loved the salmon as full of wonderful flavours and moist. Thank you.😋
Do you preheat your air fryer before adding the salmon? I have an IP 6-quart Vortex and it has a preheat setting built in.
I made this tonight and it turned out great.
Hi Lyndel. I did not preheat my air fryer before making this recipe. I am so glad you liked it!