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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.
Air frying is such a game-changer- I’ve used it for so many of my everyday dinners- everything from the classic Air Fryer chicken thighs to juicy Air Fryer pork chops. And even more so when it comes to 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 zucchini, a carb of choice, and dinner is done. And that’s exactly what this easy salmon recipe is too!
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!
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s healthy, satisfying and really, really easy to make- perfect for a quick weeknight meal- just like my Air Fryer blackened salmon bites.
- Air frying salmon gives it that perfect fall-apart flaky texture with zero mess and no oil splatters!
- There are so many variations to try- you can play around with the seasonings and marinades and try different versions of the recipe!
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon fillets: I typically use 6-ounce filets. You can use skin-on or skinless, whichever you prefer.
- Seasonings: I used a bit of garlic powder and paprika along with salt and pepper- just to add that bit of delicate flavor. You can use my homemade BBQ rub or poultry seasoning mix too.
- Olive oil: To help the seasonings stick to the salmon.
See recipe card for quantities.
Are you new to Air Fryers? If you are, we have a great article about What is an Air Fryer. Looking for the BEST accessories to use with your Air Fryer? We’ve put together this list of our favorite Air Fryer Accessories.
Variations
- For a bit of sweetness, use some brown sugar along with the other seasonings. I did this when I made my Air Fryer BBQ chicken wings and they turned out SO good.
- For a nice maple mustard glaze, combine Dijon mustard with some maple syrup and brush it on the salmon during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking. This sweet and tangy combo tastes incredible- my Air Fryer honey mustard salmon is proof!
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
- Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel. Brush lightly with olive oil. Season the salmon generously on all sides.
- Preheat your Air Fryer to 380 F and place the filets in the basket, skin side down if using skin-on.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove, rest for a minute or two and serve.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
Pair this air fried salmon with simple sides like steamed rice or Air Fryer baked potato for the carb and a veggie side like Air Fryer broccoli, Air Fryer green beans, or Air Fryer Brussels sprouts to complete the meal!
Got some leftovers? Use them up to make fish tacos or use them as a topping for a grain bowl.
If you loved this dish, you might also enjoy our other Air Fryer seafood recipes.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. Make sure you leave room between each piece.
- For perfectly cooked salmon, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and remove it when it reaches 145 F in the thickest part.
- For a crispy texture, add 1-2 extra minutes or broil for 1 minute after cooking. I like to do this sometimes when I’m making my Air Fryer mahi mahi and Air Fryer tilapia.
- Need it quicker? Air fry at 400 F (204 degrees C) for 6-8 minutes for thinner or smaller fillets.
- Unlike most other Air Fryer recipes, you don’t need to flip the salmon over while cooking it.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but it will take a few extra minutes and may not have the same crispiness as thawed salmon. Refer to my Air Fryer frozen salmon post to learn how to do it.
Don’t overcook it! Salmon is ready when it flakes easily and hits 145 degrees F. Let it rest for a minute or two before serving.
Store your leftover salmon in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Refer to my post about how to reheat fish in the Air Fryer to learn how to reheat the salmon without overcooking it.
You can check for doneness using a fork. The salmon should flake easily when you poke it.
More Air Fryer Seafood Dinners
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
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
- For a crispier outside, add a couple of extra minutes of cooking time.
- Don’t flip the salmon filets during the cooking time.
- Don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket with too many filets. Cook in batches if needed.
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!