This air fryer salmon recipe is quick to make, tender, moist, and super flavorful. Ready in just 15 minutes, this is seriously the best way to cook salmon in the air fryer. Weeknights dinners can’t get any easier!
Air Fryer Salmon – Simple, fast, and irresistible. This salmon recipe is one of the most often cooked recipes in our house. It’s the most succulent salmon, super flaky but crisp on the outside.
While I do love pan seared salmon or baked salmon, this air fryer salmon is honestly just as easy to make and probably my favorite way to cook salmon.
It’s versatile and can be served with many healthy side dishes during the week.
Why Are You Going To Love This Air Fryer Salmon
- Effortless to make in just 15 minutes
- Perfect for meal prep
- It pairs perfectly with many side dishes for a complete weeknight meal
- Delicious, succulent, and flakey with a crisp exterior
Ingredients
Salmon is incredibly healthy, packed with protein, and quick to make with just a few ingredients.
- Salmon fillets – Fresh salmon fillets are used in this recipe, but frozen salmon fillets are also delicious! Choose salmon pieces that are brightly colored and firm to touch. You can also use fish like cod, haddock, or halibut.
- Honey – My keto friends, use this keto honey replacement.
- Dijon Mustard – any type of mustard will also work if you don’t like dijon mustard.
- Olive Oil – any vegetable oil is great and helps the seasonings stick to the fish while keeping it super moist.
- Soy Sauce – for a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Tamari or Coconut Aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Garlic Powder – you can replace the garlic powder with freshly minced garlic for a more intense flavor.
How To Cook Salmon In Air Fryer
This is truly an incredibly easy salmon recipe with only 4 main steps to follow:
- Prepare the salmon. Start by wiping the salmon fillets well with a paper towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Make the sauce. Add all the sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix them well.
- Cover the salmon with sauce. Brush the salmon fillets with the sauce.
- Air Fry the Salmon. Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket with the skin side down and cook for about 8-10 minutes at 400F. The cooking time varies depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets. Salmon is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 145° F.
Tips For Making The Perfect Air Fryer Salmon
- Make sure that you use the same-sized salmon fillet, so it cooks evenly.
- Salmon should be spaced a few inches apart to allow optimum air circulation on all sides.
- Cook salmon with skin on to keep it super juicy.
- Once the salmon flakes easily, remove it from the air fryer basket to avoid overcooking.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer: Sure, you can also store the leftovers in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Then, defrost it entirely in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with This Air Fryer Salmon?
This recipe is great on its own, but many side dishes go well with salmon. Here are some low-carb side dish ideas to get you started:
- Cauliflower Rice Recipe
- Crispy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Authentic Pico de Gallo
Equipment Needed To Make This Recipe
- Air fryer
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer
- Paper towels
- Measuring cups
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Choose The Perfect Salmon
You need to choose a quality and fresh salmon fillet to get an exceptional result. It must have an intense color and a firm, non-sticky texture. It smells slightly smell salty, a little sweet without a strong fishy smell.
What is the optimal internal temperature of salmon?
To ensure that the salmon is thoroughly cooked, it should reach an internal temperature of around 145F. Use an instant read thermometer to save you from overcooking meat.
How To Know If Salmon Is Done
Whether you cook salmon in the air fryer or the oven, you must avoid overcooking it. To know if the salmon is done, I inspect it with a fork to see if it flakes easily. It’s also semi-translucent on the inside. Cook it until the interior is somewhat opaque, but not for too long! It should not become overly dry.
Is it necessary to flip the salmon in the air fryer?
No, you don’t have to flip the salmon while it’s cooking in the air fryer. That is completely unnecessary! I also don’t want the fish to break apart! So, generally, I never turn fish when cooking in the air fryer.
Can I Use Frozen Salmon For This Recipe?
Sure, frozen salmon fillets can be used for this recipe. However, if you’re using frozen salmon, it’ll take longer to cook. When I cook frozen salmon, I set the timer for 15 minutes. Then, check for doneness using a meat thermometer and serve as usual.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pork Chops and Crispy Garlic Broccoli
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Juicy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Salmon
Description
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets about 6 oz each
- 2 tbsp honey or keto honey replacement
- 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pat dry the salmon fillet using paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine together honey, mustard, olive oil, soy sauce, and garlic powder.
- Brush the salmon with the mixture on both sides/
- Place the salmon skin side down in the basket in a single layer.
- Air Fry the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. Salmon is done cooking when it reads 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
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