Easy Air Fryer Salmon
This Easy Air Fryer Salmon recipe delivers a quick, healthy, and flavorful dinner, featuring perfectly crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh. Using minimal ingredients and an air fryer, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or anytime you want a nutritious, protein-packed meal without fuss.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-9 minutes
- Total Time: 12-14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Salmon Fillets
- 4 skin-on salmon fillets (fresh or thawed, 6 oz each)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (light brush)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon (fresh squeeze)
Optional Herbs & Variations
- Fresh dill or parsley (for garnish)
- Smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (for spicy kick)
- Soy sauce and sesame seeds (for Asian-inspired variation)
- Fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil (mixed into oil)
- Orange or lime zest (for citrus zest variation)
- Honey or maple syrup (for honey glaze)
- Prep Your Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispy skin. Lightly brush olive oil over both sides. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 3 minutes to ensure even, hot cooking.
- Air Fry the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd to allow proper air circulation. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on fillet thickness, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Add Fresh Citrus: After cooking, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon fillets to brighten the flavors and add a refreshing finish before serving.
Notes
- Dry the skin thoroughly before oiling to ensure crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crisp texture.
- Use a food thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 125-130°F for perfect doneness.
- Let the salmon rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to lock in juices.
- Experiment with different seasonings or herbs for flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: air fryer salmon, quick salmon recipe, healthy salmon, crispy salmon, easy dinner, protein packed, gluten free seafood