Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
This air fryer salmon is made simply with a few key ingredients that produce mouth-watering results. It’s crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside in just 10 minutes!
I’m a big fan of my air fryer. I use it multiple times every week and once I started making air fried salmon, I realized I’d never go back to pan-frying it. This air fryer salmon with skin recipe comes out perfect every single time.
The skin comes out crispy, the spices enhance the salmon’s flavor, the meat is juicy and delicious, and it can be on the table in under 10 minutes. But that’s not all. Clean up is a breeze without oily splatters to wash off the stove top.
Air fry your salmon next time you make it and see if that doesn’t ring true for you too. And if you love crispy salmon skin, this recipe is for you.
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Helpful tips
- Whole Foods sells high quality salmon. Even though I like sockeye salmon, I prefer their frozen, farm-raised Atlantic salmon because it’s not only sustainable but it’s also ethically raised, without growth hormones or antibiotics, and it can be traced from farm to store.
- If you are using frozen salmon, take it out of the freezer in the morning and defrost it in the refrigerator.
- No need to add olive oil to the salmon before air frying. Just pat dry the fillets, add the salt and spices, and you are good to go.
- Whenever you season meat or fish for the air fryer, place the tray either on a plate (pictured below) or a jelly roll pan to catch any overflow juices and/or seasonings.
- My air fryer does not have a basket, it has trays. This salmon recipe will work with either type of air fryer. The only difference is that during preheating, you leave a basket in but you take trays out.
- One of the best things about my air fryer is almost never having to flip the food. The tray allows for awesome air flow.
- I don’t usually use a meat thermometer to see if the salmon is done, but if you like, stick it in the thickest part of the salmon and it is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to make this air fried salmon recipe
Step one
Get out your air fryer and gather your ingredients – salmon fillets, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Step two
Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. If your fryer has a basket, leave it in while you preheat. If your fryer has trays, take them out while you preheat.
Step three
Take a paper towel and pat the salmon dry. Place it on the air fryer tray or on a plate and sprinkle on some kosher salt, liberal shakes of garlic powder, and as much or as little smoked paprika as you like.
Step four
When the air fryer comes to temperature, place the tray with the salmon inside or place the seasoned salmon in the basket and cook salmon for 9 minutes.
Step five
With the tray type of air fryer, you don’t need to flip the food for even cooking, but if you have the basket type, flip the salmon after 4 1/2 minutes.
Once the salmon is done, I plate it with a baked potato and squash or squash soufflé. I grind some pepper on my salmon and we both squeeze a little lemon on the fish.
See how juicy the salmon looks! Let’s look at a bite-full.
The salmon has a nice crust, the skin is crisp and the fish is moist.
Yum! Delicious.
I hope you enjoyed this air fryer salmon recipe as much as we love to eat it. I hope you give it a try.
Other air fryer recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 filets salmon (frozen but thawed or fresh)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I don't measure, just spinkle some on)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (I don't measure, just spinkle some on)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (I don't measure, just spinkle some on)
Instructions
- Get out your air fryer. If you have the tray type like I do, remove. If you have the basket type, leave it in. Preheat the oven to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and set the cook time to 9 minutes.
- Take a paper towel and blot the salmon to dry it. Place the salmon on the tray with a plate below it.
- Take your fingers and pinch some kosher salt between them and sprinkle over the salmon. Use as much as you like.
- Liberally spinkle garlic powder and smoked paprika on the salmon.
- Once the air fryer comes to temperature, add the tray of salmon in the oven. If you have the basket type, add the seasoned salmon in it.
- No need to flip the salmon if you have my type of air fryer. If you have the basket type, flip after 4.5 minutes.
- Plate
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Whole Foods sells high quality salmon. Even though I like sockeye salmon, I prefer their frozen, farm-raised Atlantic salmon because it’s not only sustainable but it’s also ethically raised, without growth hormones or antibiotics, and it can be traced from farm to store.
- If you are using frozen salmon, take it out of the freezer in the morning and defrost it in the refrigerator.
- No need to add olive oil to the salmon before air frying. Just pat dry the fillets, add the salt and spices, and you are good to go.
- Whenever you season meat or fish for the air fryer, place the tray either on a plate (pictured below) or a jelly roll pan to catch any overflow juices and/or seasonings.
- My air fryer does not have a basket, it has trays. This salmon recipe will work with either type of air fryer. The only difference is that during preheating, you leave a basket in but you take trays out.
- One of the best things about my air fryer is almost never having to flip the food. The tray allows for awesome air flow.
- I don’t usually use a meat thermometer to see if the salmon is done, but if you like, stick it in the thickest part of the salmon and it is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
We just got an air fryer and recently became empty nesters. I had to try this recipe for my husband and I. We both really enjoyed the salmon cooked this way and will do it again.
I’m so glad to hear that Bernice! Thank you for letting me know!
I love my air fryer and was so happy when I came across this salmon recipe. Mine turned out so flaky and delicious!
Thanks so much Kate! We only make salmon this way! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
I was nervous about making salmon in the air fryer, but it turned out so juicy and flaky. Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
You’re welcome, MJ. I honestly make this at least every other week and I stopped making it on the stove because of how great it comes out.
I love that crispy salmon skin, but it’s so hard to get at home! Thanks for the recipe; I can’t wait to try it this weekend!
Thanks Luci! I hope you enjoy it when you make it.
We’ve been trying to eat more seafood in my family lately, so I can’t wait to try this air fryer salmon recipe. It looks so good, thank you!
I hope you enjoy it if you do Anneke! 🙂 Thanks for the comment.
The crispy skin thanks to the air fryer is the best part. Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome, Jill. Thanks so much for commenting.
Someday I will own an air fryer, I feel I am missing out on some really good food. Pinning this for later when that AR lands on my kitchen counter.
I waited forever to get mine and now it’s my favorite gadget. I think you will love it Jere!
Such a brilliant recipe! I love how easy it is to make yet so flavorful!
Thank you Lauren! I love it as well!
I love how delicious and flavourful this air fryer salmon looks! I can’t wait to make this for dinner tomorrow for me and my family. I also love simple this looks to make, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thanks so much, Ramona. It’s so easy and I bet you’ll only make salmon this way and not on the stovetop.
I love how simple ingredients are and how easy it was to make this salmon! The smoked paprika added just the right amount of flavor too!
I’m so glad to hear that Jamie! Thank you for letting me know.
This is such a great way to cook salmon! The air fryer gave the outside a nice crust, but the interior was still nice and flaky. Great air fryer recipe!
Thanks so much Amanda! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the comment.
I am a huge fan of all things made in the air fryer. This salmon looks perfectly cooked in it and it’s great for a busy weeknight.
Me too! I love my air fryer and would run out and buy another if this one died. Thanks so much for your comment.
The salmon came out perfect, the crispy skin was the best part! My new favorite way to cook salmon.
I’m so happy to hear that Briana! I’d never cook it any other way for a quick meal.
Yeah, Another recipe for my man to eat.My air fryer does has a basket, so I’ll follow your steps. Thanks!
Thanks Naiby! I hope hubby enjoys it.