Name: Air Fryer Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets; cooking oil spray; 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp salt; 2 tsp garlic powder

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Why go out to a restaurant when you can have tender, flaky salmon right at home? You won't believe how easy it is to make this 10 minute Air Fryer Salmon recipe!

A white plate with a browned seasoned salmon filet and a side of air fryer broccoli, garnished with lemon wedges.

AIR FRYER SALMON RECIPE

Air Fryer Salmon is a great way to make restaurant-quality salmon fillets in your very own kitchen with hardly any effort!

While fish isn't exactly the easiest protein to cook correctly, the right air fryer temperature and cook time combination gives you beautifully cooked, flavorful air fryer salmon every time.

Served with air fryer broccoli, this perfectly browned and cooked salmon recipe makes for one delicious and healthy lunch or dinner!

You will also love our Air Fryer Salmon Patties, which you can make with fresh or canned fish.

You'll start with fresh salmon fillets (if you use frozen, thaw them overnight or under cold running water in the packaging it came in) sprayed with a little oil and coated in a smoky and savory seasoning blend.

About 10 minutes in your air fryer, and you'll get the most incredibly flavorful salmon without ever leaving your house! No need to pay $30 or more for a Salmon dinner at a restaurant when you can make it at home for much, much less.

Are you cooking with a Ninja Foodi? Check out our Ninja Foodi Salmon recipe instead. The instructions are slightly different for air frying in the Foodi system.

The ingredients for making salmon air fryer, including two salmon pieces, oil spray, and seasonings.

INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER SALMON

Salmon - You'll need two salmon filet pieces for this recipe. Depending on the side of your pieces, you may be able to fit more or less than this in your air fryer basket.

Oil - Spray oil makes it really easy to coat the fish with a light layer of oil that the seasoning mix will stick to. Avocado oil, olive oil, or any other light flavored oil is perfect.

Salt - A bit of salt mixed with spices gives our air fried salmon an amazing flavor.

Smoked Paprika - I love using smoked paprika on fish, meat, and vegetables! It has a warm, smoky flavor that reminds me of barbecue.

Garlic Powder - For additional savory flavor.

I like to serve salmon (or any fish) with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the fish before eating.

If you have any questions about making this Air Fryer Salmon recipe, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

Photo Collage showing six steps needed to make salmon in an air fryer.

How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

Check your salmon fillets for bones or other unwanted pieces. Leaving the skin on, spray the fillets with cooking spray.
Mix together the salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Then coat the salmon with the spice blend, gently pressing it into the fish.
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket that you've lined with foil, leaving a couple of inches of space between the fillets.
Air fry the salmon fillets as directed in the recipe card below. There's no need to flip them over during the cooking time.
Serve your Air Fryer Salmon with your favorite side dishes. I like to serve with a simple pairing of rice and air fryer broccoli.

Have a bag of frozen broccoli? Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli is just as delicious as using fresh broccoli.

Tips for cooking Salmon

Don't over cook! Salmon is commonly served medium in restaurants, which allows for a moist fillet that is super tender.
Line the basket with foil for easy cleanup.
Place the salmon in your air fryer skin side down. This will ensure that you're able to get it out of the basket without the fillet falling apart.
Adjust the seasonings if you'd like. Any seasonings that you typically enjoy on salmon will be delicious in this air fryer salmon recipe. The flavor in this maple glazed salmon recipe would work well in the air fryer too!

How do you know when salmon is done cooking?

It doesn't take much work to figure out when salmon is done cooking, but there are a few things to look for if you're unsure.

Raw salmon is a translucent orange-pink hue, and it turns to an opaque light pink color when cooked.
When cooked, salmon fillets should be mostly opaque with a small amount of translucent flesh still remaining.
Flake test: You should also be able to stick a fork or knife into the middle and see the salmon start to flake away.

a piece of salmon being lifted out of an air fryer basket lined with foil.

Why should I leave the skin on salmon?

If you're used to eating salmon fillets without the skin, it may seem strange to think about leaving it on.

However, there are several reasons to keep the skin on that might surprise you.

It's not easy to remove the skin: First, unless you're a trained chef or butcher, there's really no need to fuss with the messy task of filleting a salmon plank. Removing the skin from a salmon filet requires a special type of knife, and can leave you with salmon fillets that are hacked into pieces and less than presentable.

Salmon is easier to cook with the skin on: Leaving the skin on salmon fillets makes it easier to slide a spatula underneath the salmon to get it out of your air fryer basket in one beautiful piece.

Plus, the skin creates a nice barrier between the pan or air fryer basket and the salmon flesh allows for a more moist, flaky fillet.

Like most seafood, salmon is touchy when it comes to cooking times. It's easy to overcook it and that can really put a damper on things when you've paid top dollar for a good cut of salmon.

Leaving the skin on Salmon when you cook it in the air fryer makes it very difficult to overcook it.

Lastly, I'm going to let you in on a secret that you might not know - salmon skin is totally edible! It's often served on the fillet or even by itself as a garnish or appetizer in high-end restaurants.

Of course, it's important to make sure that your salmon was sourced responsibly and is of safe quality so that you're not putting yourself at risk for food-borne illness.

If you plan to buy your salmon fresh instead of pre-packaged, feel free to ask your grocer for information regarding sourcing for peace of mind.

Then, let your air fryer do the work and dig in - skin and all!

DIFFERENT CUTS OF SALMON TO LOOK FOR

When buying salmon to cook in the air fryer, you may come across salmon steaks, salmon fillets, and salmon sides.

For this recipe, buy salmon filets, or get a whole side of salmon and slice it into filets yourself.

SHOULD I USE FRESH OR FROZEN SALMON FILETS?

You shouldn't cook frozen salmon in the air fryer, but it can be very cost-effective to buy salmon frozen. Just be sure to thaw it before cooking. Fresh salmon can be more expensive, but I think it's generally tastier.

a piece of air fryer salmon on a plate with broccoli and lemon wedges. A fork is flaking a bite off.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER SALMON

Make your favorite air fryer side dishes to serve with your salmon fillets! Here are a few of my favorites:

Potato Sides, like Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, or Air Fryer French Fries.

Veggies in the air fryer, like Air Fryer Broccoli or Air Fryer Baby Carrots.

Try a healthy salad with your salmon, like this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. Cold salmon and this salad make a tasty and nutritious lunch.

Whole 30 Air Fryer Salmon

We often get a lot of questions, asking if our recipes are Whole 30 compliant. Some of our recipes are Whole 30 Air Fryer Recipes and some do not fit that category.

This Whole 30 Air Fryer Salmon is compliant with the typical Whole 30 recommendations! Salmon in the air fryer is a healthy option on a Whole 30 diet.

The whole 30 way of eating emphasizes whole foods and the elimination of sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy.

MORE FISH AND SEAFOOD AIR FRYER RECIPES

This Air Fryer Salmon recipe will also work with similar firm-fleshed fish, such as pollack, hake, halibut, and cod.

Air Fryer Fish Recipes are easy to make. One of my favorites is Air Fryer Fish Tacos. Air Fryer Tilapia is also a weeknight dinner winner because it cooks in no time at all!

If you enjoy fish, you should try seafood in the air fryer too. Air Fryer Calamari and Air Fryer Shrimp are both delicious meals that everyone will enjoy.

OTHER YUMMY AIR FRYER MAIN DISH RECIPES

We have so many air fryer recipes to choose from!

If you are having trouble figuring out which one to try next, we suggest: Air Fryer Meatloaf, Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Pork Chops, Spaghetti and Air Fryer Meatballs and Air Fryer Hamburgers

Salmon in an air fryer basket with text overlay.

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We truly hope that you enjoy this easy Air Fryer Salmon recipe!

closeup of a pice of air fryer salmon on a plate with broccoli and lemon wedges

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Air Fryer Salmon

Why go out to a restaurant when you can have tender, flaky salmon right at home? You won't believe how easy it is to make this 10 minute Air Fryer Salmon!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 10 minute salmon, air fryer salmon, air fryer salmon recipe, garlic paprika salmon, homemade salmon recipe

Servings:

Calories: 271kcal

Cindy - Air Fryer Eats

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

2 salmon fillets
cooking oil spray
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Check your salmon fillets for bones, and remove them. Leave the skin on the salmon fillets.
Spray tops of salmon fillets with oil.
In a small bowl mix the spices, then gently pat/rub the spices onto the salmon fillets.
Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil. Place the salmon fillets over the liner.
Air fry the salmon on 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!

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Video

Notes

Cooking times will vary based upon the thickness of your salmon. I used 1 ½ inch thicken salmon.
If you leave the skin on you do not need to flip the salmon. If you removed the skin, you can gently slip the salmon half way through the cooking process.
If your salmon is not done to your liking, you can add 1-2 minutes until it is done.
You can quickly over cook the salmon, so be sure to check on it every few minutes.
Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes airfying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.

Have oven recipes that you’d like to convert to an air fryer recipe? Use our Air Fryer Calculator to help you estimate cooking times and temps! Calculator here: https://airfryereats.com/air-fryer-conversion-air-fryer-calculator/

Nutrition

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Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.

Are you looking for MORE air fryer recipes? Let us make that EASY for you! With this ebook bundle, you get oodles and oodles of air fryer recipes at your finger tips! You can even PRINT the recipes! Grab a copy of these air fryer e-cookbooks today! Email us at [email protected] for more information!

We updated the pictures!

New and improved photographs of our Air Fryer Salmon recipe have been added! We also included new tips and tricks to help you have air fryer success. Here are the old pictures if you're curious!

salmon on a round plate with rice and broccoli

a fillet of cooked salmon on a round plate with rice and broccoli

a collage of images showing instructions for cooking salmon in an air fryer

a white plate filled with crispy salmon patties garnished with green onion

Comments

Bob K.

March 04, 2020 at 2:36 pm

I am loving my air fryer and I’m loving to try every new recipe that you post! I am a true diehard fan of the site and thank you so much for creating recipes for this single gentleman. This air fryer salmon was amazing I cooked more than one so that I could use it for lunch for tomorrow. Thanks again for the delicious recipe

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 3:28 pm
  
  Thank you Bob! Wow, such kind words! I really appreciate them! So glad you are a fan of our air fryer recipes!
  
Mirlene

March 04, 2020 at 2:59 pm

There is absolutely no reason to go out when you own recipes like this salmon. Delicious, great looking and I am sure so flavorful!

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 3:28 pm
  
  Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out our Air Fryer Salmon!
  
Mahy

March 04, 2020 at 4:46 pm

The salmon I can easily call my favorite... because I often make mine similar to yours. Although I am very excited to try your recipe now!

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 11:20 pm
  
  Thanks Mahy, you'll have to stop by and let me know how it went. Any tips you can offer for the readers is great!
  
Holly

March 04, 2020 at 4:46 pm

You've given me a new way to prepare salmon and this will be on my table tonight! I am looking forward to giving this a try. So far I've only used my air fryer for things like chicken nuggets and fries.

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 11:21 pm
  
  I am so excited for you, Holly! I think you'll be in love with this air fryer salmon!
  
Jen

March 04, 2020 at 4:56 pm

Super easy weeknight recipe that takes less than 20 minutes!!!

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 11:20 pm
  
  For sure Jen! We love how quick this air fryer salmon is! Perfect for busy weeknight meals!
  
Tawnie Kroll

March 04, 2020 at 5:10 pm

Such a great recipe, loved the video too made it helpful when making the salmon!!

- Cindy
  
  March 04, 2020 at 7:33 pm
  
  Thank you Tawnie! So glad you loved our air fryer salmon and the video was helpful! I appreciate you coming back to share!
  
Dawn

September 17, 2020 at 2:05 pm

The slices in this were Delicious. It cooked perfectly

- Cindy
  
  September 18, 2020 at 11:53 pm
  
  Great to hear, glad you liked!
  
Janet J

September 18, 2020 at 2:27 pm

This salmon recipe as great. Perfectly cooked.

- Cindy
  
  September 18, 2020 at 11:50 pm
  
  So glad you liked it Janet!

Air Fryer Salmon

AIR FRYER SALMON RECIPE