Description
Easy Air Fryer Salmon delivers perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful salmon fillets with a slightly crispy exterior in under 15 minutes. This healthful recipe uses minimal oil and simple pantry ingredients, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (fresh or thawed, skin-on or skinless, about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh or dried herbs (dill, parsley) for garnish
- Smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (for a spicy variation)
- Soy sauce, ginger, and honey (for an Asian-inspired glaze)
- Fresh basil, thyme, rosemary (for an herb-crusted version)
- Balsamic glaze or maple syrup (for a sweet glaze)
- Cooking spray (for a lower-fat version)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a nice crisp texture. Then brush or rub the olive oil evenly on both sides to lock in moisture and help seasoning stick.
- Season the Fillets: Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any optional herbs onto both sides of the salmon. For extra flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes depending on thickness until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the salmon carefully from the air fryer. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs and an extra drizzle of lemon juice before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or fully thawed salmon for even cooking and best texture.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; allow air to circulate freely for crispy edges.
- Monitor cooking time closely to avoid overcooking and drying out the salmon.
- Check doneness by flaking the thickest part with a fork; it should separate easily.
- Experiment with seasonings and variations to keep the recipe exciting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: air fryer salmon, quick salmon recipe, healthy salmon, easy dinner, omega-3 fish