Easy Air Fryer Salmon

Easy Air Fryer Salmon that turns out perfectly flaky every time in under 10 minutes! Seasoned with a blend of spices for a delicious, healthy meal great for busy weeknights or when you need to meal prep.

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If you’ve ever struggled with overcooked, dry salmon, this recipe is about to change your life! This Easy Air Fryer Salmon comes out perfectly tender and flaky on the inside with a lightly crisp, flavorful exterior all under 10 minutes. One of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat because it’s just that simple and reliable. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week, or just need something quick and healthy, this recipe checks every box!

Why You’ll Love This

Perfect every time – the air fryer locks in moisture while cooking the salmon quickly and evenly with a perfectly tender, flaky texture every single time.
Quick and easy – this salmon easily cooks in just 10 minutes for a protein-packed, easy weeknight dinner you can make in a pinch.
Customizable – such a versatile protein so use whatever seasoning blend you like best on this salmon. You can also try a variety of sauces or marinades to switch things up.
Great for meal prep – this salmon reheats beautifully making it perfect for lunches or dinners throughout the week. Slice it up for grain bowls, salads, wraps and more!

Ingredients You’ll Need

salmon – you’ll want four 6 oz evenly sized filets of wild salmon with the skin on. I usually get my salmon fresh from the grocer, but feel free to use frozen salmon filets too. Just make sure the salmon is thawed if you are using frozen filets.
olive oil – I like to use a good olive oil or other neutral oil to help keep the salmon moist and allow the seasoning to stick. Just make sure it’s cold-pressed and organic for the most flavor.
lemon juice – fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the salmon.
seasoning blend – a mixture of garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt and black pepper to season the salmon.
fresh parsley – garnish at the end to add a pop of color and fresh taste to the salmon.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon

Preheat the air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes. This helps the salmon cook evenly and develop a slightly crisp exterior.
Prep the salmon. Pat the fresh salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This step is key for getting that nice texture on the outside.
Season generously. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Brush evenly over the salmon fillets.
Air fry. Place 2 salmon skin side down in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overlap. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Repeat with the remaining two fillets. The internal temperature using a meat thermometer should reach 125-130 degrees F for medium or 140 for well done.
Finish and serve. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Salmon

Pat the salmon dry first – this step is small, but makes a big difference! This removes excess moisture, helps the outside develop a better texture and prevents the salmon from steaming.
Don’t skip preheating – this helps create the perfect texture right from the start and helps create a lightly crisp exterior on the salmon.
Use even-sized fillets – this ensures everything cooks at the same rate and prevents thinner pieces from overcooking.
Don’t overcrowd the basket – make sure to give the salmon filets enough space so the hot air can circulate. If they are touching, you’ll get steaming instead of crisping, as well as uneven cooking.
Cook skin-side down – this helps protect the delicate flesh from overcooking, locks in moisture and makes cleanup easier.
Use a meat thermometer – to prevent overcooking, pull your salmon out as soon as the internal temperature reaches 125-130 degrees F for tender, medium salmon and 135-140 degrees F for more firm, well done salmon.
Don’t skip the oil – this helps keep the salmon moist, helps the seasonings stick and improves the overall texture.

Variations

Seasonings – other seasoning variations you can try are my homemade taco seasoning, this cajun seasoning for a different flavor, a little Italian seasoning or even some lemon pepper.
Marinades – try marinating the salmon in this lemon herb marinade, cilantro lime is another favorite, or this maple balsamic marinade.

How to Serve

Over rice or grains – this air fryer salmon is perfect served over a fluffy bed of rice or grains. Try brown rice, white rice, coconut rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa.
Make a salmon bowl – make vibrant salmon bowls loaded with all the fresh toppings! Some great options include shredded carrots, cucumber slices, edamame, avocado and green onions. Don’t forget the lemon slices with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Pair with veggies – serve with a variety sides such as roasted brussels sprouts, garlicky green beans, broccoli, asparagus, or these simple sautéed vegetables.
With a fresh salad – for a lighter option, this salmon makes a great protein over your favorite salad with this simple lemon vinaigrette.
Build salmon tacos – flake the cooked salmon and tuck into warm tortillas with all your favorite toppings.

Prepping and Storage

To Store: Leftovers can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days making this great for meal prep. To reheat, you can either warm in the oven at 300 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes or reheat in the microwave until warmed through. This leftover salmon would also taste great cold over a salad!
To Freeze: Freeze leftover salmon in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Easy Air Fryer Salmon

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 13

Servings

Calories 295kcal

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 3-5 minutes. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, this helps it crisp up nicely!
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Brush evenly over the salmon fillets.
Place 2 salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness. Repeat with the remaining two fillets. You’ll know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Salmon should read 125-130 degrees F for medium or 140 for well done on a meat thermometer.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy!

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