Find the ultimate guide for how to cook salmon in the air fryer! Easy and fast, air fryer salmon is a healthy weeknight dinner your family will love.
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Pin RecipeAir fryer salmon just might be your new favorite thing! Cooked in minutes, it turns out tender and flakey on the inside yet crisp on the outside.
Plus, it’s full of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, making it a delicious and healthy meal. It’s a win-win!
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
If you haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, now is the time! With recipes like my Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips, and even Air Fryer Eggs, I use mine almost every day!
However, learning how to air fry salmon has been a serious game changer when it comes to getting a nutritious dinner on the table. No more drying out salmon in the oven or trying to round up a plank to cook it on the grill!
This air fryer salmon recipe turns out perfectly tender, flakey, and delicious every single time you make it. Even better, prep time is minimal, and it has a cook time of less than 10 minutes. Whip up a few of your favorite sides, and you’ll be in and out of the kitchen fast!
(For another delicious air fryer fish dinner, make my Air Fryer Tilapia, too! And learn how to grill salmon, too!)
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Ingredients for Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer
Depending on what type of air fryer salmon you are making, your ingredients may vary. Here are some simple things you may need.
- Salmon – You can use fresh or frozen salmon, with or without the skin
- Seasoning – A little salt and pepper is all you really need! But you can also use cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, or some lemon pepper seasoning to add even more flavor.
- Lemon slices
- Sauce – You may want a sauce to add to your salmon after it has cooked. A nice lemon, white wine sauce sounds delicious!
How to Air Fry Salmon
This is an easy, straightforward method to cook salmon in an air fryer.
- Prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF, and grease the cooking basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season: Use a clean paper towel to pat the salmon dry on both sides. Then, generously season with whatever herbs and spices you like best. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil.
- Air fry: Place the fish skin side down in the air fryer basket, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Use a fork to check for doneness. If it flakes easily, your fish is ready. If not, allow it to cook for a while longer, checking every minute or so. Remove the cooked salmon from the air fryer, let it rest for 5 minutes, and serve.
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
You can also cook frozen salmon in the air fryer, similar to how you would cook a frozen chicken breast in the air fryer. The salmon will take a little longer, about 14 to 16 minutes, to cook if you take it directly from the freezer to the air fryer.
Or, if you like, you can defrost the salmon first before adding the seasonings. To do so, place the frozen salmon portions skin-side down in your air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 7 to 9 minutes to defrost. Then, follow the directions above, air frying the salmon as if it was fresh.
Tips for Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Cut the salmon into equal, or as equal as possible, pieces rather than cooking a whole, large filet. This will help make sure the pieces are all done at the same time, and it also won’t take as long as cooking a 2-pound piece of salmon.
- Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible from the fish before cooking it. This will make the finished salmon crispy and irresistible!
- Leave the skin on the salmon and cook skin-side down.
- No need to flip the salmon—the air fryer circulates the air so both sides cook equally.
- Check the salmon about 7 minutes into the cooking time to see if it’s pale pink—you definitely don’t want to overcook your salmon! You’ll know it’s done when the flesh is pale pink, firm to the touch, and flakes lightly when touched with a fork. You can also take its internal temperature with a meat thermometer, which should read at least 125ºF.
Quick Tip
We love to keep it simple with air fryer salmon, but you can give it a flavor boost by adding garlic butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or chopped herbs before serving!
How to Store Cooked Salmon
Store leftover air fried salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven just until warmed through.
What to Serve with Air Fried Salmon
There’s not much air fryer salmon doesn’t pair well with! For a well-rounded meal, try serving it alongside vegetables like air fried Brussels sprouts or roasted broccoli. Then, add a side of instant pot rice! Feel free to mix and match all your favorite side dishes to suit your preferences.
FAQs
The exact time it takes to cook salmon in an air fryer will vary depending on your exact air fryer and the size and thickness of the salmon. However, in general, it typically takes between 8 and 12 minutes for air fryer salmon to cook completely.
If your salmon turns out dry, it’s most likely because it was overcooked. Be sure to keep a close eye on it!
We recommend heating your air fryer to 400 degrees for salmon. Make sure to allow plenty of time for it to preheat before you begin to cook!
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Air Fryer Salmon
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Small bowl
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 4 (6 ounce) Salmon filets, with or without skin
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F
- Brush each salmon filet with the olive oil, brushing both sides of the fish.4 (6 ounce) Salmon filets, with or without skin, 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the salmon filets.1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Place the salmon filets in the basket of your air fryer, If using filets with the skin on, make sure the skin side is down in the air fryer.
- Cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes. When fully cooked, the fish will easily flake apart with a fork.
