Description
This air fryer salmon recipe delivers perfectly cooked, juicy salmon with crispy edges in under 20 minutes. It’s healthy, easy, and requires just a handful of simple ingredients for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest from 1 lemon
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Optional: fresh chopped dill or parsley, for garnish
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Optional: red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry on both sides with paper towels until they feel dry to the touch.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. If desired, add honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or bowl. Spoon the seasoning mixture over each fillet and use your hands or a brush to coat evenly. For skin-on fillets, season the flesh side only.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 2 minutes.
- Arrange the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on, leaving space between each piece.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes. Thinner fillets (about 1 inch thick) may be done at 7 minutes; thicker fillets (up to 1.5 inches) may need up to 10-11 minutes. Salmon should be opaque, flake easily with a fork, and have lightly crisp edges.
- Check for doneness by gently flaking the thickest part with a fork. If it’s opaque and flakes apart, it’s ready.
- Let the salmon rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking. Serve with lemon wedges, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and your favorite sides.
Notes
Patting the salmon dry is key for crispiness. Don’t crowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed. For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs or a touch of honey to the seasoning. If using frozen salmon, thaw and pat dry before cooking, or add 2-3 minutes to the cook time if cooking from frozen. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 34
Keywords: air fryer salmon, healthy salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner, quick salmon, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, low carb, high protein, omega-3, meal prep