Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salmon is utterly tender and flaky inside, with a blush of crispness on top. It’s quick and easy to make (cooks in 10 minutes!) and so darn delicious, it will make it basically impossible for you to ever order salmon in a restaurant again.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Salmon

• Fast and Easy. While I love my Baked Salmon and Pan Seared Salmon, when it comes to speed and ease, you can’t beat the air fryer. It’s ready in 10 minutes and cooks basically hands-free. It’s foolproof!
• Use Any Seasoning or Marinade. Add it to your fish, then follow the time and temperature in this recipe. I love this sweet and savory Salmon Marinade. You can also use this go-to Salmon Seasoning, or your dry rub.
• Restaurant Worthy. With the air fryer, you can cook a seriously tasty piece of fish that is hands-down better than 97% of the salmon I’ve ordered out. Call your mom and post it to the ‘gram. It’s worth bragging about!

If you don’t have an air fryer but want to cook salmon, try my top-rated Instant Pot Salmon or Broiled Salmon, along with these healthy salmon recipes.

If you DO have an air fryer, then I share your obsession. Be sure to check out my full collection of air fryer recipes. (Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are on our menu almost weekly.)

How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

The Ingredients

• Salmon. I prefer to cook this salmon with skin on, as the fillet holds together more easily, and I find skin-on salmon yields more moist and flaky results than salmon with the skin removed.
• Brown Sugar or Honey. Brown sugar or honey gives the salmon the perfect amount of sweetness and helps it caramelize.
• Dijon Mustard. Tangy, zippy, and pairs wonderfully with the brown sugar/honey and soy sauce.
• Soy Sauce. A salty umami bomb that coats the salmon in scrumptious flavor.
• Ginger. While optional, adding a pinch to make salmon with ginger gives the sauce a subtle, lively touch and, as this Soy Ginger Salmon shows, it’s a stellar combo with the soy sauce.
• Garlic. A seafood flavor BFF (Garlic Salmon with Lemon Butter agrees).

The Directions

1. Dry and Season. Pat the salmon dry to help it crisp, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Stir the Glaze Together. Spread the mixture over the salmon.

3. Line Your Basket. For easy clean up, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Start the salmon skin-side down.

4. Cook. Air fry salmon at 400 degrees F for 6 to 11 minutes. ENJOY!

What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon

• Asparagus. Asparagus and salmon are a classic pairing. While the salmon is in the air fryer, prepare this fast Grilled Asparagus or Roasted Asparagus, or make Air Fryer Asparagus.
• Other Vegetables. You can pair any veggie with salmon. For a comfort-food dinner, try Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. For something green, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts are excellent.
• Salad. Salad is an ideal side dish with salmon. Asian Noodle Salad would pair perfectly for something different, or keep it classic with green Arugula Salad.
• Whole Grains. Add some fiber and healthy carbohydrates to the meal by adding a serving of Instant Pot Brown Rice.

Seasoning Suggestions

• Garlic Lemon. Replace the Dijon mustard and soy sauce in this recipe with 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, increase the garlic powder to 1 1/2 teaspoons, and add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Arrange lemon slices on top of the salmon while cooking.
• Honey Garlic. Use 2 tablespoons honey, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and omit the soy sauce and ginger. Season the cooked salmon with an extra pinch of salt.
• Teriyaki. Brush the salmon with your favorite teriyaki sauce prior to cooking (see this Teriyaki Salmon for inspiration).
• Salmon Marinade. This salmon marinade uses soy sauce for salt and umami, honey or pure maple syrup for sweetness (salmon loves sweet!), and Dijon mustard for balance and zip.
• Spicy Salmon. Season the salmon with your favorite Cajun seasoning, or try the seasoning from this Spicy Salmon recipe or this Buffalo Salmon.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Keep the Skin On. To help the fish hold together, I recommend to air fry salmon with the skin on—take the skin off salmon after cooking. I typically serve the salmon with the skin on, then let guests peel away their skin (the cooked salmon will flake off easily with a fork).
• Don’t Wrap the Fish. It is not necessary to wrap salmon in foil in the air fryer—in fact, it will make it harder for it to crisp.
• Don’t Flip the Salmon. Thanks to the power of the heating element and constant heat circulation, it is not necessary to flip salmon in the air fryer.
• Try it with Frozen. You can cook frozen salmon in the air fryer! To make this recipe with frozen salmon, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F. Lay the salmon on aluminum foil in the air fryer and cook for about 7 minutes or until thawed. Drizzle the soy/mustard mixture over the top of the filets as directed, then cook for another 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
• Make It Bite-Sized. See this recipe for Air Fryer Salmon Bites

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