If salmon is a staple at your house, you’re going to love my recipes for baked salmon, grilled salmon, or pan seared salmon. But this air fryer salmon recipe is the fastest way to cook salmon — just 10 minutes including prep and cook time! That’s why it’s actually the method I use most often now. Plus, cooking salmon in the air fryer makes it come out super moist and flaky. It’s one of the easiest air fryer recipes to make and comes out perfect every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for salmon in an air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Olive Oil – For brushing over the salmon. Avocado oil also works. Lemon Juice – Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor, or bottled for convenience.Salmon – Buy individual, 5-6-ounce fillets. If you purchase a large fillet, cut it into fairly narrow strips (as pictured below), perpendicular to the length of the fish. I prefer to use wild-caught salmon with skin for best flavor and nutrition (and the air fryer makes the best crispy skin!), but you can use any type of salmon that you prefer. Read more about choosing salmon in my post for pan seared salmon.Spices – Garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper.
How To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make salmon in an air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. TIP: Rub seasonings into the salmon fillet to coat evenly.
How Long To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer?
Air fryer salmon cook time will vary depending on fillet size and how done you want it, but in general, individual fillets will take about 6-12 minutes. Cook to 125 degrees F for medium rare, 130 degrees F for medium, or 140 degrees for well done. Test with a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon for best results, or if you don’t have one, the fish should flake easily with a fork.
How Long To Cook Frozen Salmon In The Air Fryer?
To cook frozen salmon in the air fryer, cook for 7 minutes first, until defrosted. Then, add the olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings following the recipe, and continue cooking for 6-10 more minutes, until the fish reaches your desired internal temperature or flakes easily with a fork.
Seasoning Variations
Try swapping the seasonings in this air fryer salmon recipe with a tablespoon of one of these instead. The homemade versions linked below all contain salt, so you can omit the separate salt in the recipe if you use them.
Cajun – This is a classic seasoning for salmon and it’s delicious. Buy it or make your own Cajun seasoning. Lemon Pepper – You can buy it, but homemade lemon pepper seasoning is so easy and tastes so much better.Steak Seasoning – I know this is fish and not steak, but this savory blend works on anything.Salmon Marinade – Swap the seasonings with this easy maple marinade instead. You can also do the same thing with honey instead of maple syrup.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover air fryer salmon in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat: Reheat salmon in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for a couple of minutes, or in the oven at the same temp for 8-10 minutes, until warm. Microwaving is not recommended, but can be done in a pinch.Freeze: Store the salmon in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the freezer for 2-3 months. However, like most fish recipes, it tastes best made fresh.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Salmon
All this air fried salmon recipe needs is a simple side dish:
Veggies – Try air fryer broccoli (pictured above), air fried cauliflower, or air fryer asparagus for a whole meal cooked in the air fryer. For other prep methods you can cook in parallel, roasted asparagus or sauteed zucchini are great options.Starches – Serve with pasta, your favorite potato dish, or for healthier options, mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice.Salads – Such as Greek salad, creamy cucumber salad, or strawberry spinach salad — or choose from one of my other healthy salad recipes!
More Air Fryer Recipes For Dinner
If you like this recipe for air fryer salmon, you might also like these other main dish air fryer recipes: Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
