This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe is incredibly delicious! In the air fryer, salmon comes out perfectly browned and you get tender, juicy, flaky salmon. Best of all, this healthy meal takes just 10 minutes to make!
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Why Cook Salmon in The Air Fryer?
- I love cooking everything in the air fryer. The Air Fryer Asparagus Fries that I made a couple of weeks ago are now on permanent rotation. And we love Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, Air Fryer Orange Chicken, Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries and Air Fried Green Tomatoes. I've even roasted a whole chicken: Air Fryer Whole Chicken. But I think cooking salmon in the air fryer is my favourite new way to use this appliance. I get perfect salmon every time.
- Because the air fryer makes cooking fish so quick (10 minutes) and easy, you may find yourself cooking fish more often. This easy recipe is a perfect way to have a delicious and healthy weeknight meal on the table in no time.
- The air fryer cooks the salmon quickly at a high temperature, so it stays juicy and tender, never drying out.
- You get delicious salmon with just a couple of simple seasonings.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Salmon. There are a few different varieties, and you can use any type of salmon. I like to use wild sockeye salmon for air frying because the fillets are thick and the colour and flavour of the salmon is wonderful. Try to get boneless fillets, but it's ok if they have skin.
- Olive Oil and Seasonings This recipe is simply salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Feel free to use your favorite seasonings
That's it!
How To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer
- Using a brush or your fingers, rub each piece of salmon with olive oil on all sides, including the skin.
2. Rub the seasonings into the flesh of the fillet. (If your fillets are skinless, rub both sides).
3. Place the fillets in the preheated air fryer basket, skin side down in a single layer.
4. Bake 10 minutes, then serve your delicious, air fryer salmon!
Top Tips for Juicy Salmon
- You can use fresh salmon or frozen. Thaw frozen salmon completely before cooking.
- Buy pre-cut fillets, or cut a large fillet into portions yourself. Try to cut the portions into equal size to ensure even cooking.
- For best results, pat the fillets dry with paper towels before brushing them with oil and seasonings.
- This recipe is delicious just exactly as written. However, if you have extra time, you can refrigerate the fillets after rubbing with oil and seasonings for an hour or two before air frying them. This step will really maximize the flavour.
- My salmon fillets were about 2 inches thick and I cooked them in two batches for 10 minutes. This cook time is approximate and depends on the thickness of the salmon fillets and your individual air fryer.
FAQ
Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature reaches 145° measured at the thickest part of the fillet. The safest, best way to measure this is using a meat thermometer. I use an instant read thermometer.
No, you should leave the skin on. The skin protects the tender flesh while it's cooking. You can even eat the salmon skin, which is delicious when crispy.
You can keep cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Leftover salmon is delicious in salads, sandwiches and other recipes, like this quick and easy Salmon Spinach Pasta.
What to Serve With Air Fried Salmon?
Salmon goes well with almost any side dish! Besides asparagus, try Sautéed Green Beans With Lemon & Garlic, Air Fryer Carrots, Cabbage Stir-Fry (especially if you brush the salmon with Honey Teriyaki Sauce) or Sautéed Beet Greens.
For more side dish choices to serve with salmon, check out this collection of recipes: 21 Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes.
Salads are another great pairing for salmon. I especially like it with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Apples or Southwestern Quinoa Salad. And be sure to serve it with plenty of lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Love Salmon? More Recipes to Try:
Recipe
Air Fryer Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets boneless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°
- Pat the salmon filets dry with paper towel
- Rub the salmon fillets all over with olive oil
- Sprinkle the fillets with paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and rub the seasonings into the flesh.
- Place fillets, without crowding, in a single layer in the air fryer basket
- Cook 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve with lemon wedges and tarter sauce.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen salmon, just thaw frozen salmon completely before cooking.
- You can buy precut fillets, or cut a large fillet into portions yourself. Try to cut the portions into equal size to ensure even cooking.
- For best results, pat the fillets dry with paper towels before brushing them with oil and seasonings.
- This recipe is delicious just exactly as written, However, if you have extra time, you can refrigerate the fillets after rubbing with oil and seasonings for an hour or two before air frying them. This step will really maximize the flavour.
- My salmon fillets were about 2 inches thick and I cooked them in two batches for 10 minutes. This cooking time is approximate and depends on the thickness of the salmon fillets, and your individual air fryer.
Ksenia
I love making fish for dinner, and I’m always looking for new and easy ways to cook salmon. Yours is going on the list for sure! So simple yet flavourful
Colleen
I think you'll love it, Ksenia!
nancy
i always want to use my air fryer more. Thanks for this great recipe! will give it a try tonight~
Colleen
I hope you love it Nancy!
Yvonne Langen
I don't own an air fryer but you've inspired me to go buy one. This fish looks absolutely perfect and flavourful!
Colleen
Hi Yvonne, So glad to inspire you! You won't regret getting an air fryer!
Terri
Making this as soon as I get my air fryer!! So healthy and easy!!
Colleen
And delicious, Terri!
Vijitha
We love salmon and yours looks so good! I love it that it's done in 10 mins! Healthy, tasty and super quick. I can't wait to try your recipe!
Colleen
Hi Vijitha, I hope you love it!
Shailaja Desai
Absolutely fried to perfection Colleen.! How amazing to use an air fryer! I have yet to explore this.
Amanda Dixon
This salmon was a hit! We love any excuse to use our air fryer, and it was perfect for cooking salmon. The spice rub was so good too.
Colleen
Hi Amanda, that's awesome to hear! I'm so glad it was a hit!
Cooking with Carbs
We've been meaning to get an air fryer, and whenever I see recipes like this it pushes me a little closer. 10 mins and it looks that great? Sounds good to me!
Colleen
You will love having an air fryer, I promise!
Kate
This salmon looks so delicious especially with aspargus. I have to try it myself as it is the season for aspargus. 🙂 Many thanks for sharing this.
Colleen
I hope you do give it a try, Kate!
Jenny
Your recipe is a lifesaver. We love cooking salmon in our air fryer, and with your suggestions, it always comes out yummy. And it is so quick. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Colleen
You're so welcome, Jenny! Enjoy!
Sean
Boy, you can't argue with results. I love salmon in basically all forms, and it's always pretty easy to cook, but this is both easy AND perfectly crispy. Glad you mention leaving the skin on too - crispy salmon skin is the BEST!
Colleen
Hi Sean, I agree; the skin is so good when it gets crispy!
Aditi Bahl
Can't believe it's air fried. It looks like a perfect grilled fish. Also loved the marinade. Simple and I think the fish flavors will be retained and complemented. Loved it. Will surely try this. Easy to cook in the air fryer.
Colleen
Hi Aditi! I would love to hear back how it turned out for you. Enjoy!