This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe is incredibly delicious! In the air fryer, salmon comes out perfectly browned while the fish remains tender, juicy and flaky. Best of all, it 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 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 new favourite use of this appliance.
Because the air fryer makes cooking fish so quick (10 minutes) and easy, you may find yourself cooking fish more often. It's a perfect way to have a delicious and healthy 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 maximum flavour with just a couple of simple seasonings.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Salmon. There are a few different salmon varieties, and you can use any of them. 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
That's it!
How To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer
- Using a brush or your fingers, rub each salmon fillet 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!
Tips For Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer
- You can use fresh or frozen salmon, just thaw frozen salmon completely before cooking.
- You can 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 cooking 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 of 145° measured at the thickest part.
No, you should leave the skin on. The skin protects the tender flesh while it's cooking. You can even eat the skin, which is delicious when crispy.
You can keep cooked salmon in the fridge for 2-3 days. Leftover salmon is delicious in salads, sandwiches and other recipes.
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. 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
- Air Fryer
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°
- 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.
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
We have to use our air fryer more often and this is a great start! Salmon in the air fryer, totally yes!!
Colleen
Salmon is perfect in the air fryer. Enjoy!
Cat Lin
You've convinced me to get an air fryer! And I appreciate the tips for making salmon with it!
Colleen
Hi Cat, you won't regret it!
Stine Mari
This is such a perfectly cooked (or maybe we say fried?) salmon! Love how simple it is!
Colleen
Hi Stine! I'm so happy that you loved it!
Ali Hanson
I love salmon, it is one of my favorite proteins. Is the airfryer easy to clean after making salmon? I wondered if it would make the next thing you cooked in it "salmony". Thanks!
Colleen
Hi Ali, no not even a little bit! We cook all kinds of things in the air fryer including salmon, and it's never a problem.
Shelby Stover
I love how simple the seasoning is!
Colleen
Same here, Shelby. Simple is sometimes the best!
Katie Deacon
The more recipes I read like this the more I need to get myself and airfryer! This looks so so good, I love salmon but I don't love how the house smells after frying it. Off to buy an airfryer!
Katie xoxo
Colleen
Hi Katie. I find that if the salmon is fresh there is no fishy smell no matter how it's cooked. But I do think you will love having an air fryer!
Chef Dennis
I am so looking forward on making this dish. My family loves Salmon and this Air Fryer Salmon is a perfect way to enjoy it.
Colleen
Hi Dennis, I think your family will love this if they love salmon. Enjoy!
NATALIA
I want to make this recipe, looks delicious and simple. I normally buy skinless salmon, I guess it will work great for this recipe. Just bought my first air fryer!
Colleen
Hi Natalia! Skinless salmon will work just fine. Enjoy your new air fryer!
Vanessa
I love how quick and easy this recipe is. We love salmon and always have a bag of frozen filets in the freezer.
Colleen
Thanks, Vanessa! Quick and Easy, but still yummy! 😋
Bernice Hill
I have to admit, I had my doubts because Salmon is a very tricky fish to cook, one second over and it's dry as the sahara. Your fish looks perfectly cooked so I'll give this method a try.
Colleen
Hi Bernice, I agree, there is nothing worse than dried out salmon! That's why I love using the air fryer to cook it. I hope you love it too!
Gloria
I always have salmon in the freezer. Perfect for quick and easy meals. This air fryer salmon looks so delicious...and I just happen to love my air fryer too.
Colleen
Hi Gloria, the air fryer is a great way to cook salmon!
Lexa
I am always looking for dinner ideas that I can prep in a heartbeat! This one look amazing and I can’t wait to try it next week. Thanks Colleen!
Colleen
You're super welcome, Lexa! Please be sure to let me know this recipe turns out for you!
Mahy
Salmon tastes so good when cooked in an air fryer. I love how your result looks!
Colleen
Thanks, Mahy!
Jacqueline Meldrum
I really need to use my air fryer more. I keep forgetting how versatile they are.
Colleen
We love ours, Jacqueline! I was resistant at first, but now I'm hooked!
Jenn
I'm an air fryer nut and I love salmon so this recipe is a perfect match for me! I love the spices you put on it, and I can't wait to try it!
Colleen
Hi Jenn, it seems like there are a lot of us air fryer nuts out there! Enjoy this salmon!
Biana
Yum! It is great that you can make salmon in the air fryer in just 10 minutes! Such a quick delicious dinner.
Colleen
It really is great, Biana! You can't go wrong with dinner in 10 minutes.