This air fryer salmon is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Once you make the salmon in the air fryer, there is no going back, I am telling you! The process is easy, fuss-free, requires minimal cleanup and all you need is 15 minutes of your time.
Air Fryer is my favorite kitchen gadget these days, and I have tried a few more recipes that you can try at home too – Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Air Fryer Broccoli and Air Fryer Tater Tots.
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About This Recipe
If you like salmon, then you must try this restaurant-quality air fryer salmon recipe. It’s super easy, fuss-free and the salmon turns out tender, succulent, juicy, and perfectly seasoned.
Making salmon in air fryer is also much healthier than the fried one, browns the fish beautifully, locks up the flavor, cooks the fish faster, and most importantly, clean up is a breeze.
There is no need for extra utensils, no fried smell in the kitchen, doesn’t heat up the kitchen, just a delicious piece of salmon on the plate.
This low-carb, low-calorie salmon in air fryer comes together in under 15 minutes and has become my absolute favorite to make for quick meals. It stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and is great for meal preps.
Ingredients
Salmon – You can use a fresh farmed salmon or a wild-caught one. The one from the farm will have a light pink color flesh, whereas the wild one will be a little darker in color. The fish should be plum, shiny and clear. Avoid the ones that have any kind of soft spots or discoloration.
If fresh salmon is not available, you can opt for the frozen one. Thaw it to room temperature before cooking.
Seasonings – I like to keep the seasoning minimal and use only 4 ingredients – garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If you like spicy then go for hot paprika otherwise use the regular one. For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
This recipe can be made with a variety of seasonings. I have mentioned a few options below. Do check them out.
Oil – I used light olive oil to brush the fish. You can even opt for extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any other cold-pressed oil that you like.
Others – Garnish it with fresh lime or lemon slices and fresh parsley.
How to make Air Fryer Salmon?
Line the bottom of the air fryer basket (or tray if using a tray-style air fryer) with aluminum foil and spritz with a little cooking spray.
Stir together 2 tbsp light olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
Wash the salmon fillets and pat them dry using a paper towel. If using frozen salmon, thaw them to room temperature. Brush the oil mixture on 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) on both sides.
Place the fillets on the basket in a single layer (skin side down if using the one with skin on). There must be some gap in between the fillets for proper air circulation. Do not crowd the basket. If the fillets are large, you can air fry them in batches.
Put the basket in the air fryer and set it at 390 degrees F (198 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
When the timer goes off, open the basket and check the fillets with a fork to make sure they are done to your desired doneness. Internal temp should be 145 degrees F and fish should easily flake with a fork. You can return the salmon for another 1 or 2 minutes if necessary.
Transfer the cooked fillets to the serving plate, squeeze lime on top and sprinkle parsley over. Serve hot.
Pro Tips By Neha
Cooking the salmon in an air fryer gives you better results because the air circulation inside makes the fish crispy from the outside, while the inside remains to be flaky and juicy.
Do not overcook the salmon, otherwise, it will turn a little chewy. You can check the thickest part of the salmon with the help of a meat thermometer. The internal temp should be 145 degrees F.
If you do not own a meat thermometer, you can check it by its color. When perfectly cooked, the fish will turn from translucent reddish to an opaque pink color.
The time range can differ depending upon the thickness of fish or the brand of air fryer you own. Usually, it takes 10 minutes to cook, but still, keep an eye after 8 minutes. Use even-sized fillets for even cooking.
Do not overcrowd the basket. Keep it in a single layer for even cooking.
As salmon skin might stick to the bottom of the basket, placing an aluminum foil on the basket and then placing the salmon pieces on it prevents it from sticking.
Seasoning Options
I have prepared air fryer salmon using simple seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. But here are a few options that you can season your salmon with,
- Dried basil + Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Peri-Peri seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon Pepper seasoning
- Brown sugar + Garlic powder
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer salmon is best served with a fresh vegetable and greens salad on the side. I also love to serve it with strawberry walnut salad, broccoli apple salad, or Mediterranean quinoa salad.
To make it more filling, you can serve it with flavored couscous, fried rice, pasta, risotto, or even spaghetti.
Serve some roasted or grilled vegetables along with air-fried salmon for your healthy dinner. Simple roasted beans, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, or asparagus, everything tastes great on the side.
Storing Suggestions
This air-fried Salmon is an incredible choice for meal prep. This one will last in the fridge for about 3-4 days when stored in an air-tight container.
You can also freeze the ready fillets for about 3 months in freezer-safe ziplock bags. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and heat them until nice and warm in the air fryer to serve again.
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Recipe Card
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 4 teaspoons light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- lime slices (as required, for garnishing)
- chopped parsley (as required, for garnishing)
Instructions
- Line the bottom of the air fryer basket (or tray if using a tray-style air fryer) with aluminum foil and spritz with a little cooking spray.
- Stir together 2 tbsp light olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Wash the salmon fillets and pat them dry using a paper towel. If using frozen salmon, thaw them to room temperature. Brush the oil mixture on 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) on both sides.
- Place the fillets on the basket in a single layer (skin side down if using the one with skin on). There must be some gap in between the fillets for the proper air circulation. Do not crowd the basket. If the fillets are large, you can air fry them in batches.
- Put the basket in the air fryer and set it at 390 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, open the basket and check the fillets with a fork to make sure they are done to your desired doneness. Internal temp should be 145 degrees (F) and fish should easily flake with a fork. You can return the salmon for another 1 or 2 minutes if necessary.
- Transfer the cooked fillets to the serving plate, squeeze lime on top and sprinkle parsley over. Serve hot.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!