Air Fryer Salmon Recipe 🍽️⚡ Crispy Outside, Flaky Inside — Dinner in Minutes

Air Fryer Salmon is the ultimate quick-fix protein: tender, flaky fillets with beautifully crisped edges, no flipping, no oven, and no mess. Season it simply or dress it up — either way, it’s on the table in under 15.

Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

• 2 salmon fillets (6–8 oz each, skin on or off)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tsp garlic powder, paprika, or lemon pepper
• Optional: lemon slices or fresh herbs for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.

Step 2: Prep the Salmon

Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Brush with oil or melted butter. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and any extra seasoning blend.

Step 3: Cook

Place salmon in air fryer basket skin-side down (don’t overcrowd). Cook for 7–9 minutes depending on thickness. It should flake easily with a fork and read 125–130°F internally for medium.

• Thin fillets: ~6–7 min
• Thick fillets: ~9–10 min

No flipping needed.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Let rest 1–2 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges or your favorite sauce.

Flavor Variations

• Honey Garlic: Brush with a mix of honey, soy sauce, and garlic
• Cajun Butter: Rub with Cajun seasoning and dot with butter
• Lemon Dill: Add lemon zest and chopped dill before cooking
• Maple Mustard: Mix maple syrup, Dijon, and olive oil as glaze
• Chili Lime: Sprinkle with chili powder and squeeze lime juice after air frying

Serving Ideas

• Pair with roasted veggies or a salad
• Flake into grain bowls or tacos
• Serve over mashed potatoes or cauliflower rice
• Add to a cold pasta salad for meal prep

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the basket — air circulation = crispy edges
• Use skin-on fillets for best texture and easy lifting
• Brush fillets lightly with oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning
• Check early — air fryers vary and salmon cooks fast

Final Thoughts

Air Fryer Salmon is your crispy, clean, weeknight hero. No oven, no stress — just flaky, fast, flavorful fish that always delivers.

Crisp it. Fork it. Repeat. 🍽️⚡🐟

🐟 Explore Salmon Recipes for Every Occasion

From quick weeknight dinners to elegant mains, these salmon recipes cover everything from baking and grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make.

🔥 Easy Baked Salmon in the Oven – Tender, flaky salmon with garlic butter and lemon.
🍽️ Air Fryer Salmon Recipes – Crispy on the outside, juicy inside — done in minutes.
🥫 Canned Salmon Recipes for Quick Meals – Pantry-friendly meals that don’t skimp on flavor.
🌿 Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs – Lightly charred and bright with citrusy herb flavor.
🥗 Salmon Salad Recipes – Fresh, protein-packed salads with flaky or grilled salmon.
🍚 Salmon Rice Bowl Recipes – Build-your-own bowls with veggies, grains, and sauce.
🍝 Creamy Salmon Pasta – Rich, velvety sauce with tender salmon chunks.
🍋 Salmon Pasta with Spinach or Lemon – A lighter twist with greens or zesty citrus.
🥑 Keto Salmon with Avocado – Low-carb, high-flavor, and full of healthy fats.
🍯 Honey Glazed Salmon – Sweet and savory glaze with a caramelized finish.
🧀 Stuffed Salmon with Spinach – Creamy spinach filling wrapped in perfectly baked fillets.
🍱 Asian Glazed Salmon – Soy-ginger glaze with sticky, umami-packed goodness.

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.