Name: Air Fryer Mustard Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 fillets of salmon, skin on or off, I keep the skin on for easier handling, (fillets should be about 4 to 5 ounces each); ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard; 3 cloves garlic, (minced); ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, (finely chopped); chopped fresh parsley, (for garnish); lemon slices, (for serving)

This Air Fryer Salmon recipe is super simple and totally delicious. Coated in a zesty mustard dressing, it brings an amazing flavor that everyone loves.

Enjoy these crispy yet juicy salmon fillets with simple broccolini, Mediterranean rice, or a quinoa southwestern salad!

air fryer salmon fillet set atop a bed of rice and topped with lemon slices.

Discovering an easy way to cook your favorite dishes is a game-changer, and with the increasingly popular air fryer, these revelations are becoming more frequent! Air fryers work like magic, quickly transforming simple ingredients into delicious meals. From crispy french fries to bacon, broccoli, and even steak, the possibilities are endless.

I’m thrilled to share this air fryer salmon recipe with you. With just some salmon fillets, an amazing mustard sauce, and a few minutes, you can whip up a nutritious, homemade meal. It’s so good that even those who usually shy away from seafood will be eager to dig in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Salmon: Look for fillets about 4 to 5 ounces each.
Salt and Pepper: Freshly ground pepper gives the strongest taste, so reach for one of those pepper shakers with an attached grinder if you can.
Lemon Juice: Fresh or bottled.
Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil will have the most flavor, while virgin or regular olive oil will have a milder taste. You can use either one.
Mustard: Look for a good wholegrain or stone ground mustard – or use your favorite kind.
Garlic: Peeled and minced.
Herbs: Dried thyme and rosemary.
Garnishes: Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices work well for serving this dish.

four raw salmon fillets arranged on a white dinner plate.

Fresh Vs Frozen Salmon

When it comes to fresh seafood, including fresh salmon, buying it from a local fish shop results in the best quality. However, most of us live far from the sea, and frozen salmon is a fantastic alternative. Some of the best seafood available is right in your freezer section. Frozen seafood is usually caught, cleaned, and quickly frozen, keeping it fresh until you defrost it yourself.

How To Make Salmon in the Air Fryer

Now we get to the fun part: the cooking! And cooking salmon in the air fryer is so quick, you guys. Dinner will be on the table in about 20 minutes, from start to finish – just enough time to throw together a salad or some other simple side dish. If you have a double basket air fryer, make my Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli.

two raw salmon fillets topped with mustard dressing and set inside a black air fryer basket.

two seasoned salmon fillets in a black air fryer basket.

Prep the Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375˚F, and lightly grease the basket with cooking spray.
Prep the Salmon. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a clean paper towel. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, and set them aside.
Make the Mustard Sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. A spoon or small whisk works fine for this.
Cook the Salmon. Spread the mustard sauce over the fillets, and then give each fillet a little spritz with cooking spray. Place the salmon into the air fryer basket, not touching, and cook them for 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through.
Check for Doneness and Rest When done, the salmon should flake with a fork easily, but it should not be too dry. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Salmon is done at 145˚F. When done, place the fillets on a serving platter and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

Cooking salmon is really easy for the most part, and knowing a few helpful cooking hacks makes it practically impossible to get wrong. These are my best tips for perfect salmon in the air fryer:

Use an Instant Read Thermometer: You can always flake salmon to check the doneness, but an instant read thermometer is a busy cook’s secret weapon. That little gadget makes it so much easier to make perfect salmon, every time. Salmon is done when the thickest part of the fillet has an internal temperature of 145˚F.
Even Size Salmon Fillets: Approximately, of course. Salmon pieces that are different thickness or size won’t cook evenly in the air fryer – some will be overdone, and others will be underdone.
No Crowding: This is an important rule for all air frying. As you arrange the food in the air fryer basket, be sure to leave room around each food item for air to circulate. The hot air is what gives your air-fried dishes their crispy exterior. If you crowd the basket, the food will steam and be soft. I cook two fillets at a time.

Serving Suggestions

Salmon is a versatile protein that goes with everything from pasta to salad to a simple baked potato. This creamy Lemon Parmesan Risotto pairs amazingly well with fish. These hearty veggies for Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are so, so good, as are my simple Roasted Radishes and these Roasted Artichokes too.

close up side shot of air fried salmon fillet set atop a bed of rice and topped with lemon slices.

How To Store Leftovers

Cooked salmon should be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. For food safety purposes, it’s important to have it packed up and in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking.
To freeze safely, store cooled salmon in freezer bags or in an airtight container, and keep it in your freezer for 2 to 3 months.