Air Fryer Salmon

Have you tried using an air fryer yet?  I was hesitate to try it as I thought surely it can’t be as good as a traditional fryer but I think it might be even better. Now I love cooking in the air fryer. We have even made air fryer chicken.

Essentially, the air fryer moves air quickly over food similar to broiling it in an oven that it gives the food a similar tastes to food that has been fried in oil. Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer is a quick and delicious to cook your salmon. Try these other air fryer recipes, Air Fryer Ham, Air Fryer Bacon, Air Fryer Brats and Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp. You may even like to cook Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe or Cod.

Why We Love This Salmon Recipe

This recipe on requires a few ingredients to cook the salmon in this air fryer recipe. I bet you already have most of them in your pantry.

Not much is needed to create this delicious salmon recipe for hot air fryer.  The air fryer will do all the work and you’ll be left with moist and amazing salmon to enjoy.

This gluten free, low carb, low calorie fish cooks up tender, succulent and delicious when cooked in the air fryer. Add an side of vegetables and rice or serve it over a salad and you can have dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• Salmon Filets – Skin on or skin off
• Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice such as avocado oil or vegetable oil
• Garlic Powder – If you are out, see The Best Garlic Powder Substitute
• Paprika – Check out these Best Paprika Substitute. You can even use smoked paprika.
• Lemons – Fresh squeeze lemon wedges are best

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Seasoning Variation ideas

Once you master this recipe, you can change the spices up slightly for different variations of this air fryer salmon recipe.

• Season with Garlic Butter – You can create a garlic butter salmon air fry recipe by seasoning the salmon filets with butter and minced garlic instead of the olive oil and garlic salt.
• Asian Seasoning – Also, you can give it a more Asian flair by drizzling the salmon with a soy sauce and honey mixtures.
• Cajun Seasoning – A little Cajun Seasoning really adds so much flavor to the Salmon. Try this Blackened Salmon if you love Cajun Seasoning.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning – Lemon pepper seasoning is one of my favorites to add to salmon. I like to squeeze fresh lime when the salmon is cooked.
• Steak Seasoning – You can even use a simple steak seasoning. Most of the steak seasoning blends indicates that it works great on fish.
• Fresh Herbs – We have even seasoned the salmon with fresh herbs such as a ½ teaspoon of fresh thyme or rosemary.
• Sweetness – If you prefer a hint of sweetness, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar on the salmon.
• Mustard – We also like to add a glaze made with Dijon Mustard or regular mustard and fresh dill for delicious flavor.

How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

• Step 1 – Prepare your Air Fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.  If your air fryer does not have a preheat option, then run the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. 
• Step 2 – Oil the Salmon – Pat the salmon skin side dry with paper towel and then rub each salmon filet with the olive oil and lemon juice while on a parchment paper.

• Step 3 – Season the Salmon – Mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika together in a small bowl and brush the salmon with this seasoning mixture. 
• Step 4 – Cook until Flakey – Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook for 7-9 minutes at 400 degrees F skin side down. Cook until the salmon is cooked through and flakey.  It will depend on the thickness.

• Step 5 – Continue cooking until done – If the salmon is not done, cook in 1-2 minute increments until cooked to your preference. You may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. 

• Step 6 – Squeeze and Serve – Squeeze the lemon juice or add lemon zest and fresh parsley on the air fry salmon when serving and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Cooking Salmon – To ensure that the salmon cooks evenly and about the same time, we recommend cooking salmon that are about the same thickness.
• Cooking Time – Depending on the thickness of your skin-on salmon, cooking time will vary. You will know that your salmon is finished cooking when it flakes with a fork and has internal temperature of 145 degrees. We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure salmon is cooked. Check out Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe for a pan fry option.
• Prepare Air Fryer – If your air fryer has the preheat function, we recommend using that for the best cooked salmon. If it does not have that function, then turn on your air fryer for about 5 minutes to allow it to preheat.

How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

You can make air fryer fresh or frozen salmon fillets by putting the frozen salmon filets directly in the air fryer basket.

I recommend doubling the minutes of cooking time if you are cooking the salmon from frozen as it would need the additional time to defrost in the air fryer as well.

After the cooking time, if the salmon is not cooked perfectly, continue to cook in the air fryer in 2 minute increments until the fish flakes with a fork.

What to Serve Air Fryer Salmon

• Serve with Rice – I enjoy serving this fryer salmon recipe with cilantro lime rice or brown rice made in my instant pot. It is even delicious with white rice. Use what you have. We have even served over pasta.
• Fresh Vegetables – Also, this goes great with your favorite vegetable side dish.  I love serving this with my easy microwave broccoli recipe or Air Fryer Asparagus for our busy weeknights. 
• Salmon Side Dish – If you are looking for some easy side dish to serve with Salmon , check out Best Salmon Side Dishes.

Dinner can easily get on the table in no time at all with this salmon recipe and this quick broccoli recipe.

How to Store and Reheat Salmon

Store leftover salmon in an air tight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. To reheat, we simply place the salmon back in the air fryer to reheat. We do not recommend reheating in the microwave.

Can I Freeze Salmon?

Yes, you can place salmon in the a freezer safe container for up to 3 month. Make sure the salmon has cooled before storing.