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Make the absolute BEST salmon in the air fryer! Perfectly seasoned and made in less than 10 minutes, this salmon is tender and flaky. Cooking in the air fryer makes the fish crispy and golden on the outside yet juicy on the inside. This will become your new way to cook salmon!
If you’ve always wanted to cook fish perfectly but been too intimated, well, guess what? You can kick those feelings to the curb! I’ve got the BEST way to cook salmon, and you are not going to believe how easy it is.
Cooking salmon in the air fryer has become the best way to make one of my favorite types of seafood. I get excellent results and the salmon is tender and juicy with a golden, crisp top. Plus, this recipe is so easy. I can pull off what would seem like a fancy restaurant meal in no time right in my own kitchen.
What Makes This Salmon So Good?
- It is light, with simple seasoning that lets the delicious flavor of the salmon stand out.
- It’s easy to make and cooks in less than 10 minutes.
- This salmon is beautifully crispy outside from the hot circulating air of the Air Fryer, yet it’s juicy and tender on the inside.
- It’s loaded with Omega-3 fats (that’s the good stuff) low-carb and low-cal.
- It makes an outstanding meal served with Tomato Cucumber Salad, Roasted Broccoli, Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes or Crock Pot Green Beans.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe
- Fresh or Frozen Salmon – about ¼ pound fillets
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Cracked Pepper
What Equipment Is Needed To Make This Recipe?
The key to successfully cooking in an air fryer is to test and practice with different foods. I use a Power XL Air Fryer and have had excellent results. All the settings are easy to understand, and the heat stays consistent, producing beautiful results.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer?
Believe it or not, the salmon cooks in less than 10 minutes. I like to use salmon fillets that are about a ¼ of a pound each, and I check them at the 8-minute mark to see if they are done. Make sure that you don’t overcook the fish because it will dry out.
Once the salmon is done, I take it out of the air fryer, taste and adjust to season with salt and pepper then give it a nice drizzle of fresh lemon juice.
Tips For Making This Recipe
- Pat the fish dry with a paper towel before cooking.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray before putting the fish in.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket if you are cooking more than 3-4 pieces of salmon. It’s best to work in batches if needed.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s great to toss in a salad or pasta for lunch!
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love!
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 2 Salmon Fillets (about ½ pound total)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- â…› teaspoon garlic powder
- â…› teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- ½ lemon sliced
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil over salmon fillets.
- In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, paprika, Kosher salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the salmon.
- Lightly spray the air fryer with cooking spray and place the salmon in the basket. Set the temperature for 400 degrees and the timer to 8 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, check the salmon for doneness. Add another 1-minute if desired.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer and squeeze on fresh lemon juice and serve.
Notes
- Make sure to use kosher salt for the best flavor without the overly salty taste that table salt gives.
Want To Know More About Air Frying?
If you are new to cooking with an Air Fryer or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using the Air Fryer like a pro!
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Excellent!
Thank you Carol!
~Donya
AMAZING!!!! Tender, crispy and moist. Best Salmon ever!
THANKS, Janette! And, I really appreciate the terrific rating.
~Donya
Hey Donya,
Do you leave the skin on one side of the salmon?
Do you flip the salmon in the air fryer?
It really looks delicious and simple.
I am really excited to try this.
Kind Regards,
Barb
Hey there Barb!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, these are great questions! Yes I do leave the skin on while it’s cooking, then remove it after it’s finished cooking. I do not flip the salmon as it cooks since the air circulates throughout the Air Fryer. I really hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know how it turns out!
~Donya
Thanks for the recipe! Do you preheat your air fryer?
Hey there Pam!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re going to really like it! You do not need to preheat the Air Fryer, just place your seasoned salmon in the basket, set it to the temperature and time specified in the recipe, and enjoy. I really hope you like this recipe, let me know how it turns out if you give it a try!
~Donya