Juicy, flaky, and deliciously flavored salmon fillets cooked in the air fryer! This easy and healthy seafood recipe is the perfect choice anytime you want a fabulous, low-carb dinner.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon
Do you ever have those busy weeknights where you want to get something healthy on the dinner table, but you also need it to taste amazing and don’t want to spend a ton of time on it? Me, too, friend. That’s where this air fryer salmon recipe comes in!
Topped with butter, garlic, and herbs, my Air Fryer Salmon takes just minutes to make, and it’s a healthy way to make a delicious and nutritious dinner. Packed with protein, Omega-3s, and potassium, you can make this simple dinner and feel good about eating it!
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this simple salmon recipe, including salmon fillets, butter, garlic, lemon juice, a bit of brown sugar, and some herbs and seasonings.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
An easy, quick, and flavorful seafood dinner is just 10 minutes away. This garlicky, lemony, and buttery salmon requires minimal ingredients, and cleanup is a snap thanks to the Air Fryer!
- First, melt some butter and stir in garlic, lemon juice, brown sugar, and seasonings.
- Next, brush completely thawed salmon fillets with the butter mixture; then add salt and pepper.
- Transfer salmon fillets to the air fryer basket.
- Set temperature at 390˚F and cook for 7 to 8 minutes or to desired doneness. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the fillets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer. A good tip is to rinse the frozen salmon fillets under some cold water to get rid of any frost or ice. Afterward, dab it dry with a paper towel and proceed with the recipe. I also add a couple more minutes to the cooking time for frozen fillets.
Salmon is cooked when the internal temperature registers at 145˚F. Please get in the habit of using an Instant Read Thermometer – it’s a lifesaver AND, most importantly, a food-saver.
You do not need to flip the salmon in the air fryer because the heat will circulate around the fillets. This is part of what makes air fryer cooking so easy!
If you’re wondering about the kind of Air Fryer to get, first consider how many people you usually cook for. I have this 5.8-quart Air Fryer, and it’s perfect for the 4 of us. If cooking for 2 to 3 people, get this 4.2-quart Air Fryer.
Tips for Success
- If you want a crispier salmon, you can always pop it under the oven broiler for a couple of minutes or until just browned and crispy on the edges. I find that the air fryer browns it perfectly for us.
- Cut the salmon pieces into even sizes so that they cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd your basket. With only two salmon fillets, you should easily be able to cook everything at once, but if you double this recipe, do not crowd the basket. You need hot air to circulate around the fillets to cook the salmon properly and get that crisp, gently browned exterior.
- Doubling the recipe. If you want to double the recipe, cook in batches. I can fit three (4-ounce) fillets in my air fryer without overcrowding them and leaving enough space between each fillet.
What Goes with Salmon?
There are so many delicious sides you can serve with salmon! Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Crunchy Kale Quinoa Salad – Tender quinoa and raw kale, tossed in a homemade vinaigrette along with apples, grapes, bell pepper, and sunflower seeds.
- Lemon Parmesan Risotto – Creamy risotto made with shallots and garlic, and studded with fresh green asparagus.
- Roasted Potatoes and Carrots – Caramelized veggies dressed with olive oil, black pepper, and garlic.
- Grilled Cabbage Steaks – These smoky cabbage slices are incredibly crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. So good!
- Grilled Zucchini – Coated with a wonderful sesame-soy glaze, this simple squash recipe is perfect with salmon.
How to Store Extras
- Fridge: Store leftover fillets in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: To freeze, store cooled salmon in freezer bags or in an airtight container, and keep in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, fillets should be about 5 to 6 ounces each
- 1½ tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
- salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter and whisk in minced garlic, lemon juice, brown sugar, parsley, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush the salmon fillets with the butter mixture and season them with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the salmon fillets to the air fryer basket.
- Set Air Fryer at 390˚F and cook salmon for 7 to 8 minutes, or to your desired doneness. Salmon is cooked when internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you want to double the recipe, cook in batches. Only cook a few pieces in the air fryer at once; proper airflow is critical for optimal cooking and browning.
- If you want a crispier salmon, you can briefly broil it in the oven, but I find that the air fryer does an excellent job at browning the fillets.
- Ensure the salmon pieces are about the same in size for even cooking.
- You can use frozen fillets but consider adding a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Very good!!! Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I made this tonight. I did not have a lemon, but I had an orange so I used fresh orange juice instead, and it is delicious!! And so easy! Thank you for this great recipe!
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Just made this for hubby and I for dinner tonight!!
It definitely is a easy recipe and very good.
We will be having this more often as our go to salmon recipe.
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I cooked it today, it was delicious. Thanks for sharing.
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Unlike the rest of the reviews, I actually made this recipe. The salmon was delicious. I cooked it for about 10 minutes and it was medium.
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Who knew that salmon in an air fryer would have this much flavor! I can’t wait to grab my air fryer and make this dinner!
I hope you LOVE it!! Thank YOU!! 🙂
This turned out perfect!
I am VERY happy you enjoyed the Air Fryer Salmon! Thank you! 🙂
My kids love salmon and this looks worthy of a restaurant, indeed! Excited to give this a try!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This looks incredibly delicious!
Thank you so much, Erin! 🙂
I have never tried making salmon in the air fryer before! What a great idea. 🙂
Thank YOU!! You should definitely try it! 🙂
My husband I were just talking about needing some new ideas on how to cook our Salmon. This looks perfect and I’m always looking for new ways to use my air fryer.
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I love the whole air fryer salmon idea! The salmon is so tender and flaky, the best dinner recipe!
Thank you so MUCH!! 🙂
The air fryer is a great idea and that touch of brown sugar is perfect for the flavor!
Thank you so much, Kimberly! 🙂
Wow! I seriously thought an air fryer was was frying breaded items or fries and never thought it could cook salmon so well (healthy but still juicy). Love this!
Thank YOU!! The Air Fryer is the BEST!! 🙂
I made this recipe the other night for dinner and not only was it fast and super easy, it was incredibly delicious! I’ve never had such crispy skin before and absolutely enjoyed every bite. I’ll definitely be making this again soon so thank you for a wonderful recipe!