Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

This Air Fryer Salmon recipe is moist, flaky, healthy, crispy, and packed with flavor!

In just 15 minutes you can make an easy and delicious weeknight dinner

Making salmon in the air fryer is about to become your new favorite way to prepare salmon. Like most air fryer recipes, it’s fast and practically fail-proof. The results are amazing!

This recipe is perfect for those days when dinner needs to get on the table fast (did we mention 15 minutes?), because the salmon cooks quickly. It’s also perfect for days when firing up the barbeque isn’t an option

We love the versatility of salmon, from grilled Cedar Plank Salmon, with its crispy skin, or easy side of Baked Salmon with a creamy mustard dill sauce. It adapts to almost any seasoning or sauce.

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Ingredients for Salmon in the Air Fryer

• 2 Salmon fillets – skin-on fillets are highly recommended for best results. Even if you don’t plan to eat the salmon skin it protects the fish during the high cooking temp and the end result is juicy salmon
• Olive Oil – or melted coconut oil

• Simple Ingredients for Salmon Seasoning:
  • Light Brown Sugar – helps the salmon develop a gorgeous light crust
  • Garlic Powder – if using garlic salt omit the regular salt
  • Onion Powder – if using onion salt you can omit the regular salt
  • Paprika – use regular or smoked paprika
  • Salt and Black Pepper
  • Chile Powder – looking for less spice? Leave this spice out
• For variation season with our Potlatch for Fish seasoning blend which is perfect for salmon, or try a sassy cajun seasoning.

How to make Air Fryer Salmon:

This method could not be easier! Below (and in the recipe card) are the step-by-step tips for perfect salmon.

Chefs Tip: Blend the seasoning mix ahead of time and store in an airtight container, for an even quicker dinner prep.

Preparing the salmon

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes while you are prepping the ingredients
• Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel – this helps give the salmon a nice crispy exterior
• Blend all of the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl
• In a shallow bowl (such as a pasta bowl) add the olive oil
• Coat both pieces of salmon all over by dredging them through the olive oil

• Place salmon on a plate or tray lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper
• Sprinkle the salmon pieces generously all over with the spice mixture

Preparing easy air fryer salmon:

There are 2 methods for cooking salmon in the air fryer – with OR without parchment paper

1. Without Parchment: Remove the preheated basket from the air fryer and generously coat the basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with oil
2. With Parchment: After preheating remove the basket and add the parchment to the basket of the air fryer. Use parchment with small holes (I buy mine with the holes already punched out – see photo below) or snip some little holes with scissors. It’s important to have these holes so that the air can properly circulate in the air fryer because the hot air is what cooks the salmon. I also recommend lightly spraying the parchment with nonstick spray too.

Important Safety Note: Do not add the parchment liner during the preheating. The air in the air fryer will lift the paper up and around the heating element which will cause the paper burn!

Cooking the Salmon:

• Place the prepared salmon fillet’s skin side down in the air-fryer basket in a single layer. To ensure the best airflow the pieces should not be touching each other.
• Air fry at 400˚F for 9-11 minutes, or until the thickest part of the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 130˚F on a meat thermometer. The easiest way to test the temperature of the salmon is by using a instant-read thermometer.
• Remove the pieces from the basket and let rest for 3-5 minutes so that the finished temperature is 135˚F. Serve with lemon slices for garnish.
• If you like your salmon a little more rare just adjust the cooking time slightly. The actual cook time will vary based on the thickest part of the fillet.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you need to flip salmon in the air fryer?

Nope! Just start it skin side down and let the air fryer do all the work. Because the air circulates all around the cooking remains even every single time without flipping it. Even if you don’t plan to eat the skin we recommend cooking with it on because it keeps the whole filet more moist.

What is the best temperature for cooking air fryer salmon?

We have found, after testing salmon at a few different temperatures, that 400˚F created the best salmon with a perfectly done center and a nice crispy exterior in our air fryer. Keep in mind that air fryer results can vary based on the air fryer model, so you may need to adjust the temperature in your model.

How do you cook air fryer salmon without it sticking?

• Use parchment with holes – this is our method of choice for easy clean up too!
• Without parchment, the best way is to generously spray or brush the basket with oil before adding salmon

What is the perfect temperature for cooked salmon?

What temperature salmon is “done” cooking depends on your personal consumption preference. It’s important to remember that salmon continues to cook internally for a few minutes after it is removed from the heat. Here’s a guide to help you decide.

• The FDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal 145˚F, but many think that this results in overcooked, dry salmon (and we agree). The salmon will be very firm.

• The well-regarded Cooks Illustrated advises cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 120˚- 125˚F. This will result in mostly firm flaky salmon with a silky interior
• After many tests we liked the results of salmon cooked to 130˚F, then resting for 5 minutes to reach a finished temperature of 135˚F.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover air fryer salmon is the best! It can be stored, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Gently reheat, serve at room temperature, or serve chilled, on top of salad greens for a great next-day lunch.

If you have a large air fryer you can easily double this recipe. Be sure to add some delicious sides, such as garlic mashed potatoes and a simple green salad with tangy lemon juice vinaigrette.

Easy substitutions:

• We love the flavor combo of this dry rub spice mix but feel free to add and delete seasonings based on your personal taste
• We often season this salmon with our popular Potlatch Seasoning Blend for Fish because we always have some on hand.
• Want to make it more Asian Style? Skip the seasoning and brush the fish with our easy Teriyaki Sauce or Sweet Chili Sauce. (Both are gluten-free). Or pop it in the oven with veggies, like we do, in our Asian-style Sheet Pan Salmon with Asparagus.

Other scrumptious Air Fryer recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Finished with a Szechuan soy sauce marinade
• Air Fryer Pork Chops – Juicy and tender every time! Great for busy weeknights because they are ready in 7-9 minutes.