This air fryer salmon recipe creates that irresistible combination of crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior that makes even picky eaters clean their plates. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of perfectly cooked salmon wafting through the kitchen as the air fryer works its magic on busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
When I discovered how amazing salmon turns out in the air fryer, it completely changed our weekly meal rotation. Our Thursday “salmon nights” are now something everyone looks forward to – even my pickiest eater! The air fryer creates this magical texture that’s simply impossible to achieve any other way.
I love the way that an air fryer cooks seafood and think this is by far the best way to make salmon. It creates a crispy outside skin and a tender, flaky inside that practically melts in your mouth. We eat salmon on a weekly basis in our house because it is not only a healthy option with omega-3 fatty acids, but it is an easy way to cook it. My whole family loves it – even on those hectic evenings when homework, activities, and life’s little challenges are piling up around us! I also really like to add this Creamy Dill Sauce on the side when serving it.
Salmon is one of those proteins that doesn’t require any fancy spices or glazes to taste good. With just a few simple seasonings from your spice drawer, you can transform these fillets into a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen. I remember my grandmother saying that the simplest ingredients often make the most memorable meals – wisdom that proves true every time I make this dish.
And if you enjoy seafood from your air fryer as much as we do, you’ll definitely want to try my air fryer tilapia or this air fryer cod for a couple more quick and delicious options that have earned permanent status in our meal rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon fillets: I prefer using fresh salmon that is wild caught when possible, with fillets about 1-inch thick for best results, and that beautiful coral color signaling all those wonderful omega-3s.
- Olive oil: A little olive oil helps to keep the spices on the salmon and infuses flavor into the fish while achieving that wonderful crisp exterior my family loves.
- Dill weed: Dill adds a bright, slightly tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with seafood, whether you use fresh from your garden or dried from the pantry.
- Oregano: This herb adds a subtle earthy note that complements the richness of the salmon and is a staple in Mediterranean cooking salmon recipes.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory depth of flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of the fish and saves you the time of mincing fresh garlic.
- Fresh parsley: Fresh herbs are a great garnish for salmon once it is done cooking, adding bright color and flavor that makes weeknight meals feel special.
- Lemon wedges: I think that fresh lemon juice is one of the best pairings for salmon, as the acidity helps cut through the richness of the fish and brightens the overall flavor profile.
Please see the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
How to Make This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Step 1: Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. I’ve found that this preheating step makes all the difference in getting that perfect exterior.
Step 2: Dab the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to dry them off. This helps ensure a crispy exterior.
Step 3: Rub the two fillets with the 1 tablespoon olive oil, making sure to coat all sides. I like to use my fingers for this.
Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the dill, oregano, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Mix well to create a rub. The aroma that rises from this simple mixture is absolutely mouthwatering – a promise of the delicious meal to come.
Step 5: Spread the salt rub on the top of the salmon fillets evenly, gently pressing it into the flesh. This little moment of care ensures every bite will be perfectly seasoned.
Step 6: When the air fryer has come to temperature, spray a non-stick oil on the inside of the tray. Place the fillets skin-side down in a single layer. Make sure that there is enough room in between the fillets so they cook evenly.
Step 8: Cook for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees. The cook time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets.
Step 9: Remove the fillets from the air fryer and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and splashes of fresh lemon juice. Serve with extra lemon wedges and enjoy!
Tips for Making Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Evenly Cut: Make sure that when you buy the salmon you pick filets that are cut evenly. This helps the salmon cook the same and ensures the perfect salmon every time. I learned this the hard way after one dinner where one piece was perfect and the other overcooked!
- Spices: Spices can take the salmon to the next level. Some I like are za’atar, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper or a spice rub. Another great option for salmon is brown sugar and soy sauce to create a sweet glaze!
- Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t overcrowd your air fryer to ensure even cooking and flaky salmon. If you are making a meal for more than two people you will want to make it in two batches. Remember, patience yields perfection!
- Preheat: With an air fryer it is best to always preheat the air fryer. By preheating it will ensure that the ingredients in your basket start cooking quickly, crisping the outside and creating a tender inside. Those few minutes of preheating make all the difference.
Serving Tips
- Salad: Salads are always a great pairing with salmon. I really like this Mediterranean bean salad or lemon arugula salad. There’s something about the fresh crispness of a salad that perfectly balances the rich, flaky salmon.
- Side Dishes: If you like to pair vegetable side dishes with salmon you should try these Lebanese green beans, turmeric roasted cauliflower, or these Mediterranean roasted vegetables.
- Potatoes: Another great addition to this meal is potatoes. There’s something magical about the way crispy potatoes complement the tender salmon.
- Grains: For a complete meal, serve the salmon over brown rice or quinoa to soak up all the delicious juices. Turn it into a hearty rice bowl by adding some roasted vegetables and a drizzle of tahini sauce. On busy weeknights, I often prepare the grains in advance – a little meal prep goes a long way in making dinner time more enjoyable and less stressful.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.
To reheat the salmon, I like to put the fish on a baking sheet and slowly warm it in a 275 degrees F oven for about 15 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F. This ensures it doesn’t dry out. I learned the hard way that microwave reheating is the enemy of good salmon!
Leftover salmon also makes a wonderful addition to a breakfast scramble or lunch salad!
Recipe FAQs
A lot of people compare air frying to deep frying food but much, much healthier! It also requires very little clean-up and most of the time the basket in the air fryer can be dishwashed. I remember the first time I used an air fryer – I couldn’t believe something so simple could transform our family meals so dramatically. Now I wonder how we ever lived without it!
Yes, you can use frozen salmon, but for best results, I recommend thawing it first. If cooking from frozen, add about 3-5 minutes to the cooking time and check with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F. The texture might not be quite as perfect as with fresh salmon, but it’s still delicious. I keep frozen fillets in the freezer for those “I forgot to plan dinner” emergencies we all have!
You’ll know your salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part and it flakes easily with a fork. The color should change from translucent to an opaque pink. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, gently press the top of the fillet – it should be firm but still have a slight give. You also want there to be a crispy salmon skin when done.
This air fryer salmon recipe has saved our family dinner time more times than I can count. On those evenings when homework battles, work deadlines, and life’s little surprises threaten to derail our family meal, I know I can have this delicious, nutritious dinner on the table in under 15 minutes.
I’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Did your family clean their plates? Did you try any different spice combinations that were a hit? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more quick and delicious air fryer recipes, check out my air fryer coconut shrimp – it’s another family favorite that disappears from plates in record time!
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 fillets of salmon, about 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Freshly chopped parsley for topping
- Lemon wedges for topping
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Dab the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to dry them off.
- Rub the two fillets with the 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the dill, oregano, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Mix well to create a rub.
- Spread the salt rub on the salmon fillets evenly.
- When the air fryer has come to temperature spray a non-stick oil on the inside of the tray.
- Place the fillets skin-side down. Make sure that there is enough room in between the fillets so they cook evenly.
- Cook for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees.
- Remove the fillets from the air fryer and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and splashes of lemon juice. Serve with extra lemon wedges.
Notes
- Cook time will depend on the thickness of the fillets. If they are thin, set the timer for 9 minutes. If they are very thick, set the timer for 11 minutes. Ultimately, you want the internal temperature to be at 145 to know that the salmon is done.
Made this for dinner tonight. It was an easy recipe and the salmon was delicious.
So glad it worked! It is such an easy way to make it!