If you’ve always wanted to cook fish perfectly but are too intimidated, well, guess what? You can kick those feelings to the curb! I’ve got the BEST way to cook salmon, and you will not believe how easy it is.
My Favorite Salmon Recipe
Dinner in 10 minutes? Yes, ma’am! Y’all, I make salmon a lot, and ever since I tried it in the air fryer, I can’t imagine cooking it any other way. It’s so simple—season the fillets, set the timer, and in just a few minutes, you’ve got tender, flaky salmon that feels like it came from a nice restaurant (but without the mess or fuss).
Most nights, I keep it classic with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. That way it goes with anything else I’m serving. And if I’ve got a lemon on hand, I always give the salmon a quick squeeze over the top before serving—it makes the flavors pop and tastes so fresh. It’s the kind of easy dinner that never lets me down.
Let’s cook!
My Best Tips For Success
- Pat the fish dry with a paper towel before cooking.
- Spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray before putting the fish in.
- When cooking salmon that weighs more than 3-4 oz, don’t overcrowd the basket. Just work in batches if you need to.
- 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!
If you love cooking in the air fryer, you have to try my Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipe and Air Fryer Hot Dogs!
Ingredients Needed To Make Air-Fried Salmon
- Fresh Salmon or Frozen Salmon – Whether you caught it yourself or snagged it from the store either type of salmon work, get about ¼ pound fillets of that slippery silver goodness.
- Olive Oil – Drizzle a touch of this liquid gold to make sure your salmon gets that perfect crispy sizzle.
- Garlic Powder – This adds a subtle kick that’s not too powerful, but just right.
- Paprika – Add a pinch of paprika for a hint of smokiness.
- Kosher Salt – Ensures your salmon is seasoned just right.
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper – Grind up some fresh cracked pepper to add a spicy kick.
Flavor Ideas
- Honey Dijon Glaze: Whisk together honey and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Brush the glaze onto your salmon filets before air frying for a sweet, tangy flavor twist.
- Citrus Zest Infusion: Grate some orange or lemon zest and mix it with a bit of olive oil. Rub this citrus-infused mixture onto your salmon before air frying for a zesty and refreshing kick.
- Cajun Spice: Create a homemade spice blend using ingredients like cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, and oregano. Coat your salmon generously with the Cajun spice mix for a bold and spicy Southern-inspired flavor explosion.
How To Make Juicy Air Fryer Salmon
- Drizzle salmon with olive oil and season with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place in a sprayed air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400°F for about 8 minutes, adding more time if needed.
- Finish with fresh lemon juice before serving.
What To Serve With Salmon
For a meal that rivals anything you’ll find in a fancy restaurant, serve it with homemade tarter sauce, stuffed baked potatoes, and roasted asparagus. My family loves it with creamy coleslaw and cornbread muffins.
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love!
Ingredients
- 2 Salmon Fillets (about ½ pound total)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ 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
- Brush salmon with a honey-Dijon mix for a sweet, tangy glaze.
- Rub on lemon or orange zest with olive oil for fresh flavor.
- Season with a Cajun spice blend for a bold Southern kick.
- Cool salmon, then wrap in plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Thaw frozen salmon in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat in a low-heat oven or air fryer until warmed through to keep it moist and flaky.
Nutrition
If you try this Air-Fried Salmon Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Commonly Asked Questions
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.
I use a Power XL Air Fryer or and have had excellent results. All the settings are easy to understand, and the heat stays consistent, producing beautiful results.
After air frying your salmon, let it cool to room temperature before tightly wrapping individual filets or the entire batch in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped salmon in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag and refrigerate promptly.
When reheating, use a gentle method like a low-heat oven or air fryer to retain moisture and bring the internal temperature up properly.
What Makes Air Fryer Salmon So Good?
- This salmon is light with simple seasoning that lets the delicious flavor of the salmon stand out.
- I’m crazy about the fact that, whether it’s frozen salmon or fresh, it’s beautifully crispy on the outside from the hot circulating air, yet juicy and fork tender on the inside.
- Salmon is loaded with Omega-3 fats (good fatty acids), making it low-carb, low-calorie, and a perfect healthy dinner option. It’s my new favorite feel-good food!
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Another HUGE Hit Of A Recipe, A+++! I added a Pinch of Dried Dill to the spice Mixture & Our Family Loved it- This Recipe is Going on the Menu Rotation for Sure! The Fresh Lemon Squeezes @ The End Were The Best! THANKS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER AMAZING RECIPE!
Love hearing that! I’m so glad it was another hit. That pinch of dried dill sounds like the perfect touch—and you’re absolutely right, the fresh lemon at the end brings everything to life. Thanks for sharing your twist, and I’m thrilled it made it into your regular rotation!
~Donya
DELICIOUS!! Easy, simple. I put my asparagus in with the salmon and it was all done in 8 minutes!!
Sounds perfect!
~Donya
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