Air Fryer Salmon

Air fryer salmon is a fast, easy, and healthy way to cook salmon. This simple marinade gives the salmon a crisp and caramelized glaze on the outside, while remaining moist and juicy on the inside. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes.

I used to love making baked salmon, but when my oven stopped working, I started using my air fryer more and never looked back.

I love that it gets a slightly crisped exterior with a buttery and flaky texture.

This air fryer salmon is so easy to make for a quick weeknight meal. We like to serve it with a garden salad or rice and roasted broccoli on the side.

My picky toddler is a huge fan of this salmon recipe, so we make it regularly in our house.

Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients

Salmon filets: You can use any type of salmon you like with the skin-on or off. I usually use frozen salmon that has been thawed in the fridge overnight.

Salt and black pepper: Adding salt to the salmon before cooking can help the skin get nice and crispy and enhance the flavor.

Olive oil: This helps keep the fish moist, prevents sticking, and helps it brown evenly while cooking.

Maple syrup or honey: This adds a slightly sweet and sticky caramelized glaze to the salmon as it cooks.

Dijon mustard: This pairs nicely with the maple syrup. It also adds a protective coating to the salmon to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.

Fresh lemon zest: This helps enhance the flavor of the salmon by adding a bright and aromatic flavour citrus note, which cuts through the natural richness of the fish.

Dried thyme or oregano: These are both classic herbs which taste nice on the salmon without overpowering it. It pairs nicely with the lemon zest, garlic powder, and maple syrup.

Garlic powder: This gives the salmon good flavor.

Smoked paprika: This adds a savory and slightly charred flavor to the salmon, which tastes great.

Fresh dill or parsley: I like to garnish the salmon with chopped dill or parsley, which adds a delicious fresh and peppery flavor.

How to cook salmon in the air fryer

Prep the salmon. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (my air fryer takes 3 minutes to preheat).

Use a paper towel to pat the salmon dry. This helps prevent surface moisture so the seasoning can stick better to the fish.

Make the seasoning. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon zest, dried thyme or oregano, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Season the fish. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides of the salmon. Use a spoon to spread the seasoning mixture all over the top and sides of the fish.

Cook the salmon. When the air fryer has preheated, remove the basket and place it on a heat-safe surface. Place the salmon filets into the basket so they are not touching.

Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Avoid over cooking the salmon or it will be dry.

Garnish the salmon with fresh chopped dill or parsley and lemon wedges on the side. Serve hot and enjoy!

What to serve with air fryer salmon

My favorite way to serve salmon is with broccoli and jasmine rice.

Below are some other simple side dishes that pair well with this air fryer salmon.

Vegetables: Lemon garlic broccoli, roasted asparagus, sauteed green beans, maple-glazed carrots.

Starches: Quinoa, jasmine or basmati rice, lemon parmesan roasted potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, risotto, oven baked potato wedges.

Salad: Garden salad, simple green salad, arugula lemon salad, kale crunch salad.

Sauces: Creamy dill sauce, lemon caper sauce, hollandaise, arugula pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto.

Please let me know how you like this air fryer salmon recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love this salmon as much as I do.

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