I love salmon, so when I discovered that all three of my kids would happily eat it up, this mama and dietitian was so happy. When I need a healthy protein to add to our plates, this air fryer salmon is a simple winning weeknight entree and quick-cooking method that I use so often.
Recipe Highlights
Super fast: Cooking salmon in the air fryer takes just a few minutes of prep time and the cook time is really quick, just 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. This simple main dish is done in a total time of less than 15 minutes, start to finish.
Crispy edges: This fail-proof method gives you gluten-free salmon with a perfectly crisp exterior and tender, flakey interior every time.
Healthy main dish: I love that I can pair this salmon with any veggies and grains for a well-rounded and super nutritious meal plan. A 6-ounce salmon fillet provides 35 grams of protein, virtually no carbohydrates, healthful monounsaturated fats and omega-3s, and potassium that I feel good about serving to my family.
No messy pans: Since the salmon gets air-fried on top of foil and doesn’t require a marinade, there’s no pans or small bowls to clean up. And there’s no sticking to the air fryer basket or the need to use olive oil or cooking spray.
The Main Ingredients
Salmon fillets – I typically make two salmon filets at a time, but you can cook as many as you need, working in batches in the air fryer. You can use skin on or skinless salmon. I tend to choose wild-caught Alaskan salmon since it is safe and more sustainably fished.
Seasonings – the seasonings are simply, everyday pantry spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. May use smoked paprika or cajun seasoning for a more smokey or spicy flavor.
For the complete directions, ingredient amounts, and nutrition analysis that lists calories (kcal), protein, carbohydrates, total and saturated fat, fiber, sugar, sodium, and more per serving, see the recipe card below.
Cook Time Depends On Thickness
When cooking salmon in the air fryer, the cook time will depend on the thickness of the salmon fillets. A fillet that is 1-inch thick/tall in most parts will probably be done around 7 minutes, whereas a fillet that is closer to 2 inches tall will take up to 9 minutes.
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Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Cook salmon perfectly every time with this simple air fryer cooking method. The result is salmon that is crispy at the edges and tender and flaky on the inside. A delicious main dish for pairing with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (6- to 7- ounces each)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Lemon wedges (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place pieces of salmon side-by-side on a sheet of foil or parchment paper that will fit inside the air fryer basket, skin side down.
- Using a paper towel, pat the salmon dry. Then, sprinkle with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the salmon (on the foil) in the preheated air fryer. Air fry salmon until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, 7 to 9 minutes. There’s no need to flip the salmon over. The time will depend on the thickness of salmon and the air fryer.
- Squeeze lemon juice over salmon and serve with desired side dishes.
- Store leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Notes
If using parchment paper, be sure to cut it to size to fit across the bottom of the air fryer basket nicely without any risk of it touching the heating element.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 6 ounces cooked salmon
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 7 g
- (Sat Fat: 2 g)
- Sodium: 397 mg
- Carbohydrate: 1 g
- (Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg
Dietary
How To Plate
Salmon recipes, like this air fryer salmon, are a favorite in my household because this favorite protein pairs well with so many side dishes. I love to keep it simple by pairing it with sautéed broccolini and Instant Pot brown rice, which are both shown in the photo below.
Storing The Salmon
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve cold as a salad topper or filling for a sandwich or wrap. Or, use leftover salmon to make this salmon salad. To reheat salmon, place it in a skillet on the stovetop with 1 teaspoon of water; cover and heat over medium-low for 3-4 minutes.
Make Air Fryer Salmon Bites Instead
Use this method to make small pieces of air fryer salmon, which are perfect for kids. To do so, remove the salmon skin and cut the salmon fillets into cube-shape pieces that are about 1 ½ inches square. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Toss the salmon pieces with the seasonings in a bowl, then place on a piece of foil or parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Air fry the salmon bites for 6 to 8 minutes to desired doneness and flakiness. Serve with Dijon or soy sauce for dipping.
The photos in this post were taken by Megan McKeehan.
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