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Get a delicious, simple, salmon dinner on the table in no time with our salmon air fryer recipe. It is a quick dinner that your family will love!
We are always looking for meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Some of our favorites are Creamy One Pot Tortellini with Sausage, Easy Chicken Tacos, and Margherita Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Featured with this recipe
The air fryer is one of my new favorite ways to cook salmon. It is quicker than the grill or oven, and it comes out so flavorful and flakey. Whether you are making it for dinner, or making it for meal prep, it’s a great simple recipe with tons of variations.
The ingredients are simple and the instructions are quick! Learn how to make salmon in the air fryer easily and have it on rotation each week. Serve your favorite veggie side dishes to make it a complete meal!
Ingredients for Salmon Air Fryer
Fresh or frozen salmon filets work well with this recipe. Before cooking the salmon let it thaw in an ice bath or overnight in the fridge. Choose your salmon then add a few more simple ingredients that you already have on hand.
- Salmon Filets – You can use skinless or skin-on salmon for air fryer salmon, however I prefer skinless for this recipe. Make sure the salmon is bright pink with little to know spots on it.
- Lemon Juice – It is best if you use fresh lemons, but you can use bottled lemon juice.
- Olive Oil – I used extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
- Salt and pepper – For this simple recipe, I just used salt and black pepper. However, you can add more spices if you would like.
- Optional spices – Depending on what you are making with the salmon, you can sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, oregano, thyme, parsley, or any of your other favorite seasonings for more flavor.
Instructions for Salmon Air Fryer
Simply place the salmon in the air fryer and let the air fryer do all the work! It will be fork-tender and delicious to the taste!
- Combine – Mix olive oil and the juice from one lemon in a small bowl.
- Prepare – Brush the lemon mixture over the salmon filets and then sprinkle salt and pepper over the whole filet. Flip the filets over and repeat.
- Air fry – Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 for 10 minutes. If your filets are a little thicker and after 10 minutes they are not fully cooked, cook at 1-minute intervals until cooked through.
What to Serve with Salmon Air Fryer Recipe
When I make this air fryer salmon for dinner, I like to serve it with a starchy side dish and a vegetable side dish. For starchy side dishes, I like Easy Yellow Rice, The Perfect Baked Potato, Lemon Rice, or Potatoes Au Gratin. For a vegetable, I often go for a Roasted Vegetable Medley, Oven Roasted Asparagus, or Lemon Garlic Brussel Sprouts.
I also like to prep this salmon ahead of time to put on salads. After I cook it, I let it cool a bit and then I store it in the fridge in an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for up to a week. Two of my favorite salads to top with salmon are a Classic Cobb Salad and a Bowtie Caesar Salad.
Recipe Tip
You can use parchment paper in the air fryer to prevent the salmon from sticking. You may have to cook the salmon a little longer since the parchment paper blocks some of the airflow in the basket.
“I can always go for salmon and the this cooked up perfect in the Air Fryer! Will definitely be making it this way again!”
-Brandy
Frequently Asked Questions
Since air flows all around the air fryer basket, you do not have to flip the salmon. It will cook evenly on each side.
Yes. You can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer. You will have to cook the salmon at a lower temperature, about 370 degrees for 7 minutes to defrost, and then cook normally, as described below.
You can use skin-on salmon. Make sure to spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the salmon skin-side down in the basket.
To ensure your salmon is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon and make sure the internal temperature is at least 145 degrees.
Try our Salmon Rice Bowls! They are delicious and the perfect recipe for leftover salmon.
Storing Leftovers
Air fryer salmon can be stored in an airtight container for three to four days. When ready to reheat it back up, place it in the microwave for a short amount of time or back in the air fryer for a few minutes until it is heated through.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you are looking for more air fryer recipes, these are the perfect ones to start with!
How to Make Salmon Air Fryer
Salmon Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 skinless salmon fillets
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- juice from 1 lemon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix olive oil and the juice from one lemon in a small bowl.
- Brush the lemon mixture over the salmon filets and then sprinkle salt and pepper over the whole filet. Flip the filets over and repeat.
- Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 for 10 minutes.
- If your filets are a little thicker and after 10 minutes they are not fully cooked, cook at 1-minute intervals until cooked through.
- Serve with lemon wedges.
I can always go for salmon and the this cooked up perfect in the Air Fryer! Will definitely be making it this way again!
I love finding new ways to use my air fryer! My husband loves salmon so this is a great option for us. Thank you!