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Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

Air Fryer Salmon

Published: Apr 17, 2021 · Modified: Dec 8, 2022 by Colleen 55 Comments

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Salmon fillets being cooked in an airfryer

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!

An air fryer cooked fillet of salmon on a black plate with asparagus and lemon wedges.
Jump to:
  • Why Cook Salmon in The Air Fryer?
  • Ingredients You'll Need
  • How To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer
  • Top Tips for Juicy Salmon
  • FAQ
  • What to Serve With Air Fried Salmon?
  • Love Salmon? More Recipes to Try:
  • Recipe
  • Comments

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

The ingredients to make the recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
  • 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

  1. Using a brush or your fingers, rub each piece of salmon with olive oil on all sides, including the skin.
Salmon fillets being brushed with oil.
Brush fillets with oil

2. Rub the seasonings into the flesh of the fillet. (If your fillets are skinless, rub both sides).

Salmon fillets being seasoned before cooking in the air fryer.
Rub in seasonings.

3. Place the fillets in the preheated air fryer basket, skin side down in a single layer.

Three salmon fillets in an air fryer basket ready to be cooked.
Put the salmon in the air fryer basket.

4. Bake 10 minutes, then serve your delicious, air fryer salmon!

Three cooked salmon fillets in an air fryer basket.
Perfectly browned in 10 minutes.

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.
Air Fryer Salmon and asparagus on a black plate with a silver fork.

FAQ

What temperature should salmon be cooked to?

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.

Should I take the skin off the salmon before air frying?

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.

How long does cooked salmon keep?

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.

A plate with salmon and asparagus.

Love Salmon? More Recipes to Try:

  • Spiced Baked Salmon - Pomegranate Raita
  • Sweet Potato Salmon Frittata - Easy Frittata Recipe
  • Spinach & Salmon Pasta - Easy Salmon Pasta
  • Grilled Asian Salmon Kebabs
  • Salmon Cakes - Crispy Salmon Patties

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!

Recipe

Air Fryer Salmon

Salmon Cooked in the air fryer is quick and easy. It comes out nicely browned but juicy, tender and delicious! All in only 10 minutes.
5 from 47 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Seafood
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Fat
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 277kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

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°
  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 857mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli

    April 22, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    We have to use our air fryer more often and this is a great start! Salmon in the air fryer, totally yes!!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 23, 2021 at 6:29 am

      Salmon is perfect in the air fryer. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Cat Lin

    April 22, 2021 at 9:31 am

    You've convinced me to get an air fryer! And I appreciate the tips for making salmon with it!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 22, 2021 at 10:56 am

      Hi Cat, you won't regret it!

      Reply
  3. Stine Mari

    April 22, 2021 at 7:08 am

    This is such a perfectly cooked (or maybe we say fried?) salmon! Love how simple it is!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 22, 2021 at 8:20 am

      Hi Stine! I'm so happy that you loved it!

      Reply
  4. Ali Hanson

    April 22, 2021 at 6:28 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 22, 2021 at 8:20 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Shelby Stover

    April 21, 2021 at 7:52 am

    I love how simple the seasoning is!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 21, 2021 at 8:51 am

      Same here, Shelby. Simple is sometimes the best!

      Reply
  6. Katie Deacon

    April 20, 2021 at 10:54 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 21, 2021 at 6:56 am

      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!

      Reply
  7. Chef Dennis

    April 19, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 19, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Dennis, I think your family will love this if they love salmon. Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. NATALIA

    April 19, 2021 at 11:25 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 19, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      Hi Natalia! Skinless salmon will work just fine. Enjoy your new air fryer!

      Reply
    • Vanessa

      April 21, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      I love how quick and easy this recipe is. We love salmon and always have a bag of frozen filets in the freezer.

      Reply
      • Colleen

        April 22, 2021 at 8:18 am

        Thanks, Vanessa! Quick and Easy, but still yummy! 😋

  9. Bernice Hill

    April 19, 2021 at 10:55 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 19, 2021 at 1:21 pm

      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!

      Reply
  10. Gloria

    April 19, 2021 at 9:15 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 19, 2021 at 1:19 pm

      Hi Gloria, the air fryer is a great way to cook salmon!

      Reply
  11. Lexa

    April 18, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 18, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      You're super welcome, Lexa! Please be sure to let me know this recipe turns out for you!

      Reply
  12. Mahy

    April 18, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Salmon tastes so good when cooked in an air fryer. I love how your result looks!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 18, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks, Mahy!

      Reply
  13. Jacqueline Meldrum

    April 18, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    I really need to use my air fryer more. I keep forgetting how versatile they are.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 18, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      We love ours, Jacqueline! I was resistant at first, but now I'm hooked!

      Reply
  14. Jenn

    April 18, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 18, 2021 at 12:46 pm

      Hi Jenn, it seems like there are a lot of us air fryer nuts out there! Enjoy this salmon!

      Reply
  15. Biana

    April 18, 2021 at 11:43 am

    Yum! It is great that you can make salmon in the air fryer in just 10 minutes! Such a quick delicious dinner.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 18, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      It really is great, Biana! You can't go wrong with dinner in 10 minutes.

      Reply
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