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Air Fryer Salmon is a quick, delicious, and SUPER easy way to cook salmon fillets. Ready in just 15-minutes, this air fryer method results in perfectly cooked salmon with crisp edges and flakey, buttery centers every time. Gluten-free and low-carb!
Air fryer salmon is one of my favorite sources of protein to cook for dinner. It is rich in omega-3s, incredibly versatile, and tastes great reheated. Plus, my family awards me with a big thumbs up every time I make it, so there’s that, too.
Today, I’m sharing how to cook perfectly tender salmon in the air fryer. It’s one of the easiest weeknight dinners you will ever make—literally. Plus, it’s ready in just 15 minutes start to finish.
Air Fryer Salmon—Why You’ll Love It
While I also love making baked salmon and pan-seared bang bang salmon bites, cooking salmon in the air fryer is—by far—the easiest way to get dinner on the table super fast. Here’s why it remains my go-to method for foolproof fish every time:
- Moist, flaky, flavorful: Similar to a convection oven, the air fryer works by circulating hot air around the salmon. The result is perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth salmon with lightly crisp, caramelized edges.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of basic ingredients to make this recipe, and there is a good chance you already have most of them in your kitchen.
- Versatile: You can serve air fryer salmon with rice, potatoes, pasta, salads, or roasted vegetables. I love to serve it bowl-style with rice, sliced cucumbers, tender bok choy, and a drizzle of spicy mayo or similar to my pan-seared hot honey salmon with easy hot honey.
Table of Contents
Made with Simple Ingredients
To make this easy air fryer salmon recipe, you’ll need only a handful of simple pantry ingredients.
- Salmon – Both wild and farmed salmon cook nicely in the air fryer, but they have a few key differences. Wild salmon is leaner, firmer, and often more flavorful, while farmed salmon is milder, richer (yes, fattier), and usually more affordable. You can also make this recipe using either skin-on or skin-off salmon fillets. I prefer skin-on salmon, especially when cooking it in the air fryer because it crisps perfectly, and the skin prevents the salmon from sticking to the air fryer basket. For the most even cooking, choose fillets that are similar in size and thickness.
- Seasoning – This air fryer salmon is seasoned with my go-to homemade salmon spice rub. Made with brown sugar, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, it’s super flavorful (despite being made with simple pantry ingredients). For a little heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Olive oil – To help the seasoning stick to the salmon.
You can find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
- In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the salmon seasoning. I used a homemade dry rub made with brown sugar, paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, but your favorite store-bought or homemade salmon seasoning, or a simple mix of salt and black pepper will also work.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels, then drizzle or brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the salmon and use your fingers to gently rub the seasoning into the fish, coating the top and sides well.
- Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket skin-side down, making sure they are arranged in a single layer. Air fry the salmon for 7 to 9 minutes at 400°F, or until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the salmon reaches 145°F. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets and your specific air fryer.
- Carefully remove the air fryer salmon from the basket and transfer it to a clean plate. Serve immediately with fresh lemon juice and your favorite side dishes.
This is the air fryer that I’ve used for years. It works great.
Flavor Variations
The best way to keep this salmon recipe fun and exciting is to try it with different seasoning mixes and sauces. And for a kid-friendly, bite-sized option, try my Air Fryer Salmon Bites Recipe.
- Louisiana-Style: Bold and smoky with a kick of heat. Use about 1 tablespoon of store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning, blackening seasoning, or Creole seasoning.
- Teriyaki Glaze: For a sweet, savory, and sticky finish, brush the salmon with 1 to 2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce in the last couple minutes of cooking.
- Smokey BBQ: Swap regular paprika for smoked paprika and brush the salmon with 1-2 tablespoons of store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce in the last couple minutes of cooking.
- Honey Dijon: A tangy and slightly sweet option that’s delicious with roasted Brussels sprouts and cooked quinoa. Mix 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard with 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey (or maple syrup), then brush it onto the salmon halfway through cooking.
Cooking tip: Remember to brush sauces or glazes onto the salmon toward the end of cooking and consider lowering the temperature of your air fryer slightly to about 350°F. The salmon will take a couple more minutes to cook, but it will prevent the sauce from burning.
Air Fryer Salmon Serving Suggestions
Air fryer salmon is a versatile main dish that pairs well with a wide range of side dishes and flavorful sauces.
- Bowls – Serve your salmon in a bowl filled with plain jasmine rice, creamy coconut rice, or flavorful cilantro lime rice. Include roasted vegetables like asparagus or roasted broccoli, sliced avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce like spicy mayo or this Cajun remoulade sauce.
- Salads – Flake the cooked salmon over a fresh green salad, Caesar salad, or even this Mediterranean orzo salad for an easy lunch or light dinner packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Tacos – Tuck the salmon into warm tortillas and top with shredded cabbage or coleslaw, avocado, fresh herbs, and homemade mango salsa for fresh, flavorful salmon tacos. Serve with a side of fresh fruit salad for an easy and colorful meal.
- Sauces – This air fryer salmon is delicious as is, but I’m a firm believer that sauce makes everything a little better. Some of my go-to drizzles and dips for salmon include creamy tartar sauce, tzatziki, and my mayo-based dill dip. It’s also great smothered with my homemade garlic butter sauce.
Air Fryer Salmon FAQ’s
Salmon cooks quickly in the air fryer and is usually ready in 7 to 9 minutes at 400°F, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your specific air fryer. Thicker salmon fillets may need an extra minute or two, while thinner pieces can cook even faster, so the easiest way to know when salmon is done is to check that it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (as measured by a digital meat thermometer).
For air fryer salmon, it is best to cook the salmon skin-side down. This helps protect the delicate flesh from overcooking, keeps the fillets from sticking to the air fryer basket, and makes it easier to remove them from the air fryer basket.
Yes, but for best results, I recommend thawing the salmon before air frying. Thawed salmon cooks more evenly, holds onto the seasoning better, and gives you firmer, flakier texture. Frozen salmon release excess moisture as it cooks, which will prevent the outside from crisping properly and makes the texture softer or wetter.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To store: Cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Place the cooled salmon in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Note that frozen and thawed salmon may have a softer texture and can be slightly less firm than when freshly cooked.
To reheat: Reheat the salmon gently in the microwave in short intervals, in a 300°F oven until warmed through, or in the air fryer for just a few minutes to avoid drying it out.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for more delicious salmon dinner recipes? Try my honey garlic salmon, sheet pan salmon dinner, or creamy marry me salmon next!
If you try making this air fryer salmon recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a star rating below, your feedback helps other readers discover (and enjoy) this recipe too. Thank you so much! 💛
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, approx. 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Salmon Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, if your air fryer requires preheating.
- Prepare the seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Prepare the salmon fillets: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Brush each fillet with olive oil, then season generously on the top and sides with the prepared spice mixture (it's ok if you don't use it all).
- Arrange the salmon in the air fryer basket: Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side down, leaving a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate evenly.
- Cook until flaky and fully cooked: Air fry for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part.
- Serve and enjoy. Carefully remove the cooked salmon from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Salmon: This recipe works with fresh or fully thawed frozen salmon fillets. For best results, thaw frozen salmon before cooking, as frozen fillets release extra moisture and may cook unevenly.
- Brown sugar: The brown sugar helps balance the savory spices and encourages light caramelization. For a less sweet version, reduce the amount or leave it out entirely.
- Do not overcrowd: Cook the salmon in a single layer and work in batches if needed. Overcrowding can prevent even cooking.
- Cooking time: Air fryer salmon usually cooks in 7 to 9 minutes at 400°F, but the exact time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the style of air fryer.
- How to tell when it is done: The salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach 145°F at the thickest part when checked with a digital thermometer.
- To store: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Reheat gently in the microwave, a 300°F oven, or the air fryer for a few minutes, just until warmed through, to help prevent the salmon from drying out.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
