Air fryer salmon is one of the easiest ways to cook salmon. The salmon turns out flaky, juicy, and flavorful. As it cooks in the air fryer, prepare a simple but rich and buttery lemon sauce to cover the salmon before it’s served. After I’ve tried cooking salmon in the Air Fryer, I will never cook it in any other way again! I mean, why bother with preheating a whole oven, and placing the fish on a tray when all of this can be done in a small-ish Air Fryer basket? Minimal effort, no mess, quick and the result is always great! Air Fryer salmon turns out perfect every single time! It’s definitely the easiest way to cook salmon, and perfect for a quick mid-week dinner.
This air fryer salmon recipe is the secret to a moist and crispy filet that tastes like a million bucks – in under 15 minutes! While I love my baked salmon or pan seared salmon (they’re classics for a reason), this air fryer salmon really hits the spot if you’re looking for the easiest salmon recipe possible. And honestly, it’s foolproof – you’ll cook up the most perfect salmon filet, ever. That means moist and succulent insides, with an outside crust that’s actually crispy (like my air fryer chicken wings). The only nuance with cooking salmon in the air fryer is that you can only cook two salmon filets at a time (at least in my air fryer, yours may be different). Otherwise, it’s really a hands-off recipe once you add the seasoning on top (and by the way, those also don’t require any measuring or prepping, you can just eyeball it).
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets: Skin-on or skinless both work. If the fillets are extra thick, you might need to add a minute or two to the cook time.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and keeps the salmon from drying out. Avocado oil works too.
- Garlic powder: I like to use garlic powder here instead of fresh as I have had experiences with fresh garlic just burning in the air fryer.
- Paprika: Gives the salmon a little color. Use smoked paprika if you want more of that flavor.
- Salt & black pepper: Simple but essential. If you’re using a seasoning blend that already has salt, adjust as needed.
- Lemon wedges: Lemon is, of course, optional, but salmon and lemon go together like hummus and homemade pita for me!
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer has a preheat option, let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes—trust me, this step makes all the difference for crispy edges.
- Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Moisture = soggy fish, and nobody wants that. Brush the filets with melted butter or olive oil, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Season the salmon: Rub each fillet with olive oil, then season liberally with the spice rub. You can also sprinkle it with other spices such as Cajun seasoning, garlic, or herbs.
- Air fry: Place the salmon in the air fryer basket and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. This is usually enough for the salmon to cook through, but if you’re using thicker slices then do check using a fork or a knife and see if it needs to be cooked for a couple of more minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook them in batches. If you are dividing bigger salmon filets into smaller portions, it’s easiest to do so once it’s fully cooked unless you have a sharp knife that can get through the skin with ease when they are raw.
- Check for doneness: The salmon’s done when it hits an internal temperature of 145°F (or 135°F if you like it medium — just let it rest for a few minutes to come up to temp). You can also check for desired doneness with a fork. When it comes to air fryers, the time needed to cook the salmon will depend on the thickness of the salmon pieces and the model of air fryer you are using. The best way to check is with a fork to see if it flakes off easily.
- Serve: Take the salmon out of the air frying basket, and serve. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the top of this air fried salmon and enjoy!
Cooking Tips
- Don’t overcrowd: Make sure there’s enough space in your air fryer for the air to circulate around the salmon. If they’re on top of each other, they won’t cook evenly. Try to have them even. Try making sure your filets are somewhat even in size for even cooking!
- Use parchment paper or foil: Line your air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper. This will help with cleanup later. If you want to save time doing dishes, you can even place a parchment paper underneath, so no dishes are needed!
- Skin on or off: If your salmon has skin, cook it skin-side down. Not only does it help protect the fish, but the skin crisps up into a crunchy little bonus if you’re into that sort of thing. You don’t have to remove the skin before cooking. Air fry the salmon with the skin side down, on the bottom.
- Don’t flip: You do NOT have to flip salmon in the air fryer! That’s the beauty of the air fryer. It acts like a frying chamber and cooks your salmon all the way through!
- Frozen salmon: Like our air fryer chicken wings tutorial, you can cook salmon from frozen in the air fryer. Essentially the way it works is that you first defrost the salmon in the air fryer and then cook it as directed. So, before beginning our recipe, place frozen salmon portions skin-side down on the air fryer basket. Cook at 400ºF for 7-9 minutes, or until defrosted. Then, follow our recipe as directed.
FAQs
How long does it take to cook salmon in an air fryer?
To clarify, it typically takes about 7-8 minutes at 390°F (190°C), depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet and how cold the salmon is when you start. For 6-ounce salmon fillets, the cooking time in my air fryer was 6 minutes. Depending on the make and model, you may need to cook it for a slightly longer period. Cook frozen salmon in the air fryer for around 14-16 minutes.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for salmon?
I recommended preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before cooking for more consistent results, but it’s also okay if you don’t. No, the vast majority of my air fryer recipes don’t require any preheating (I find it’s often unnecessary).
Should I marinate the salmon before air frying?
This recipe does not focus on marinating, but it can enhance flavor. Salmon doesn’t need much time in a marinade – too long, and it can get mushy. A quick glaze right before cooking is all it takes.
Do you put the salmon skin up or down when air frying?
Place the fillets skin side down in an air fryer basket that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. You can cook them all of the way through like this, or flip them halfway through to create crispy skin.
What is the best air fryer temperature for salmon?
With other cooking methods, like baking, salmon turns out decadently moist when it’s cooked low and slow. But that’s not the case when it comes to air frying. It’s best to cook salmon at a high temperature, such as 400 degrees to achieve salmon that is flaky and tender, with a slight crust on top from the higher heat. If you air fry it at a lower temperature for longer, that tasty caramelization on top doesn’t form.
Can I use frozen salmon in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen salmon in an air fryer. Every since I found this out, i’ve almost abused the system. It’s so easy and I don’t even need to plan to properly thaw the salmon earlier in the day! It’s the quickest and most convenient way to cook salmon from frozen without having to defrost it first. However, it’ll take a little longer to cook than defrosted or thawed salmon, so be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How do I know when the salmon is done?
You do not want to overcook salmon. Using a meat thermometer, check the thickest part of the salmon. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F. Remove from the air fryer immediately, it will continue to cook if left in the basket. No Thermometer: If you don’t have a meat thermometer you can tell when Salmon is done by the color. When salmon is cooked it turns from a translucent reddish to an opaque pink. Raw salmon is translucent and reddish. When it’s cooked, it turns opaque pink.
Won’t this recipe make the air fryer stink for days?
Nope! Your air fryer basket can be cleaned by hand just like the pan you mentioned. Most air fryer baskets (in my experience) are also easily washed in the dishwasher. Side note: if you buy fresh or frozen fish and it’s overwhelmingly smelly, you may want to double check the freshness date as it may not be safe to eat.