When I want to make a quick, healthy, and delicious dinner on busy weeknights, I love making this easy Air Fryer Salmon that comes out perfectly tender and flaky every time and tastes fantastic.
Just like Air Fryer Steak, cooking salmon in the air fryer has become my new obsession. I tried it dozens of times and it is a game-changer! I love how air fryer cooks the fish evenly, and also crisps up the skin in a way that's hard to achieve with other cooking methods.
Air fryer salmon is my new favorite way to enjoy tender and flaky pink fish with a crispy exterior. May I also recommend the Air Fryer Cod that turns out incredible in the air fryer with the yummiest crust?
I love that it takes less than 10 minutes to cook salmon in the air fryer, and I don't have to worry about preheating an oven or cleaning up a stovetop. With just a few simple seasonings, I usually have a delicious and nutritious meal on the table in no time.
Benefits of Cooking Salmon with an Air Fryer
Air fryers are known for producing food that is crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside. And this is exactly what makes them perfect for cooking salmon. My favorite things about cooking salmon with an air fryer:
- Healthy: Air fryer salmon requires little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to other cooking methods. It’s my go-to healthy protein that is delicious, versatile, and packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fast and Easy: Cooking salmon with an air fryer is quick and effortless. It takes half the time than cooking it in the oven, and there's no need to heat up the stove.
- Delicious: Air fryer makes salmon crispy and flavorful on the outside, while keeping it moist and tender on the inside. This is just what you want in your salmon fillet.
Ingredients
Salmon fillets that are 1 inch or thicker work best for air frying. Make sure to remove any bones and skin before cooking. Mine were 1 and ¼ inch thick, boneless.
Oil. A tablespoon of your preferred cooking oil (olive oil or avocado oil works beautifully).
Seasoning: I used a mixture of salt and pepper, garlic, dill, smoked paprika and lemon. When it comes to seasoning salmon, go for something simple that doesn't overpower the natural flavor of the fish. Salmon has a delicate flavor that can be enhanced with simple seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, or lemon. Add your favorite flavorings and let the salmon marinate for 30 minutes before air frying.
How Long to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
This depends on the size of your fillet and personal preference. How do you like your salmon? Medium or well done?
For an average 1-inch thick fillet, cooking time is around 8-10 minutes at 400°F for medium-rare and 10-15 minutes at 400°F to cook a salmon fillet to a medium-well perfection in an air fryer.
Pay close attention to the color of the flesh as it cooks and use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. FDA recommends the internal temperature of the salmon to 145°F. While it’s a bit well-done for me, I prefer my salmon tender and flaky, closer to a medium, therefore the internal temp of my salmon is 135°F.
Gently lift the salmon out of the air fryer basket (use a large spatula if needed) and let it rest. Cover it with a foil and let it sit for 3- 5 minutes. During this time, the flavors will settle and be infused in the fish while the residual heat will add juiciness to the salmon.
Keep in mind that once you remove salmon from the air fryer and have it rest for 5 minutes, the internal cooking process may slow down, but the heat inside the fish can continue to cook the salmon even after it has been removed from the air fryer.
One essential tip - Because many air fryers may cook differently, pay close attention to cooking time and temperature, as salmon can quickly go from perfectly cooked to overdone.
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the salmon fillets by patting them dry with paper towels and removing any pin bones (if any) with tweezers.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, sea salt and black pepper to taste, and half a teaspoon of each: garlic powder, paprika, and dill, if desired. Or use any custom seasoning that you have on hand. Below you will find 4 more recipe variations with other seasonings.
- Brush the mixture onto the skin side of each salmon fillet. Cover and let the salmon marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes (optional).
- Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. You can check for doneness by gently pressing the flesh with a fork – if it flakes easily, it is cooked through.
- Serve hot with lemon slices and your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or quinoa salad.
Should I Flip the Salmon in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Flipping the salmon allows for even cooking on both sides, but it also interrupts the cooking process and can cause the delicate fish to fall apart. If you're using a thicker piece of salmon, flip it gently using a large spatula to make sure the center is fully cooked (avoid using thongs). If you're using a thinner fillet, it may be best to cook it on one side only to prevent overcooking or breakage.
I personally turn the salmon. I cook the flesh side up first, then flip it, and air fry the skin side up. What I especially like is that the flesh cooked in the grease from the skin, turns out with a gorgeous char on top.
However, it's up to you to decide whether or not to flip your salmon in the air fryer. Try it both ways and see which method works best for you!
Air Fryer Salmon Recipes Variation
There are countless ways to cook air fryer salmon, from simple to gourmet. Here are some delicious air fryer salmon recipes that you can try out:
1. Lemon and Herb Salmon: Season the salmon fillet with chopped garlic, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and thyme. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve with Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad.
2. Teriyaki Salmon: Marinade the salmon fillet in teriyaki sauce for half an hour before air frying for 8-10 minutes. Serve with steamed rice and Air fryer Broccoli.
3. Cajun Salmon: Rub the salmon fillet with a Cajun seasoning mix and air fry for 8-10 minutes. Serve with Air fryer Grilled Pineapple or a side of coleslaw.
4. Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon: In a small bowl mix a tablespoon of maple syrup or (Brown sugar), a tablespoon of whole grain mustard, oil, garlic, and thyme. It will become like a paste-like consistency. Apply the Maple Sauce to the Salmon fillets and air fry 8-10 minutes. Serve with a side of Air fryer Asparagus.
Helpful Tips
- For best results, salmon fillets should be similar in thickness.
- Your air fryer should be preheated, before putting the fillets into it.
- If you have a smaller size air fryer, then you should not overcrowd your basket. Add fillets in separate batches.
- Do not worry about undercooking the salmon. If your fish is undercooked, you can always send it back to the air fryer for a minute or two.
- Learn by trial and error. Once you achieve the perfect tenderness and doneness of your salmon in the air fryer, you will become a pro. Different Air fryer brands may cook slightly differently. The machine that I use is Ninja Foodi XL 6-in-1.
Best Damn Crispy and Flaky Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 skin on salmon fillets boneless. Mine were 1 and ¼ inch thick. I used "BBQ CUT" Trader Joe's Norwegian fresh Atlantic salmon.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper or to taste
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dill dry or fresh, finely chopped
- 1 lemon sliced for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
- Prepare the salmon fillets by patting them dry with paper towels and removing any pin bones (if any) with tweezers.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, sea salt and black pepper to taste, and half a teaspoon of each: garlic powder, paprika, and dill, if desired. Or use any custom seasoning that you have on hand. Below you will find 4 more recipe variations with other seasonings.
- Brush the mixture onto the skin side of each salmon fillet. Cover and let the salmon marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes (optional).
- Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. You can check for doneness by gently
Notes
Should I flip the Salmon in the air fryer?
Yes! Flipping the salmon allows for even cooking on both sides, but it also interrupts the cooking process and can cause the delicate fish to fall apart. If you're using a thicker piece of salmon, flip it gently using a large spatula to make sure the center is fully cooked (avoid using thongs). If you're using a thinner fillet, it may be best to cook it on one side only to prevent overcooking or breakage. I personally turn the salmon. I cook the flesh side up first, then flip it, and air fry the skin side up. What I especially like is that the flesh cooked in the grease from the skin, turns out with a gorgeous char on top. However, it's up to you to decide whether or not to flip your salmon in the air fryer. Try it both ways and see which method works best for you!Helpful Tips
- Fillets should be similar in width.
- Your air fryer should be preheated, before putting the fillets into it.
- Check its doneness.
- If you have a smaller size air fryer, then you should not overcrowd your basket. Add fillets in separate batches.
- Do not worry about undercooking the salmon. If your salmon is undercooked, you can always send it back to the air fryer for a minute or two.
- Learn by trial and error. Once you achieve the perfect tenderness and doneness of your salmon in the air fryer, you will become a pro. Different Air fryer brands may cook slightly differently. The air fryer that I use for cooking my salmon is Ninja Foodi XL 6-in-1.
Beff
One of the best air fryer salmon recipes. perfectly tender and flaky
Cstraz
Hello- is this cooked on air fryer mode or bake mode?
Thank you.
Irina
Air fry mode 400F/200C
Rochelle
Hello, I have this exact same air fryer, the Ninja Foodi XL 6 in 1.
When/if you need to cook the salmon a little longer after checking on it how do you time it since the air fryer goes back into preheat? Do you take the salmon out until the 2nd pre-heat is complete and then put it back in for a few more minutes? I’m still learning how to use this air fryer.
Irina
Very good question. The way I use my machine: It pre-heats, then I place the salmon. The default time on AF is 20 minutes. So I just set my own timer on the phone or Alexa, when my timer beeps, it's time to check on food, or to flip. Then I close the cover and it continues cooking. So I set another timer.
However, if you use the Ninja's timers and once the timer beeps, it is done, so you are right , the machine goes into a preheating mode. But there's a way to cheat the preheating mode by opening the door and closing it right away. So it goes into the cooking mode straight. I hope this is helpful
Rochelle
Thank you! I looked at the recipe again today, as I plan on cooking this tomorrow and saw your reply. I appreciate the information!
Nancy
Your Salmon recipe is absolutely wonderful!!!! We both loved it! Thanks for sharing.
Irina
Hi Nancy. Thank you! It's my favorite too! I feel that Air fryer salmon is the best!
Alice
This was absolutely delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Irina
You're very welcome! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing
Dee Keller
I have to laugh - I've never used "Thongs" in my kitchen usage at all. I can understand why - not very reliable
Karen
Why would you put the seasoning only on the skin side? Does it penetrate to the flesh?I don’t eat the skin so would put seasoning on flesh side as well.