The Easiest Way To Cook Perfect Salmon
Perfectly tender inside, golden and lightly crisp on the edges — this air fryer salmon recipe has officially become our family’s favorite way to cook salmon. ♡
I’m honestly so impressed with how reliably the air fryer cooks salmon to perfection. The fillets come out juicy and flaky on the inside with that irresistibly crisp, caramelized surface on the outside every single time. No splattering oil, no babysitting the pan, no guesswork required. And it all comes together easily in just 10 minutes!
All you need are a handful of pantry spices, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to make it shine. Serve it up with some roasted (or air-fried) veggies with a green salad, add the salmon to your favorite pasta or grain bowl, tuck it into tacos with a squeeze of lime — however you serve it, this all-purpose air fryer salmon recipe is absolutely a keeper.
Recipe Tips
A few helpful tips to make your air fryer salmon turn out perfectly every time:
- Pat it dry: Don’t skip this quick step! Removing excess moisture from the surface of the salmon helps it to crisp up instead of steaming.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Make sure there’s a little space around each fillet so that the air can circulate evenly.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: Pull the salmon out at 125–130°F for medium; it will continue to cook slightly as it rests.
- Preheat for best results: A quick 2–3 minute preheat of the air fryer will help ensure a lightly caramelized surface.
- Finish with lemon or herbs: A squeeze of lemon juice, fresh dill, or parsley adds brightness right before serving.
Seasoning Options
One of the best things about air fryer salmon is how easy it is to customize! The recipe I included below is my favorite all-purpose spice blend that goes with just about everything. But here are a few more fun seasoning blends and marinades to try:
- Lemon Pepper Salmon: Before air frying, drizzle the salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle on a mix of lemon zest, freshly cracked black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Honey Mustard Salmon: Whisk together 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Brush the mixture over the salmon just before air frying for a tangy-sweet glaze.
- Teriyaki Salmon: Brush the fillets with teriyaki sauce before air frying, then drizzle a little extra on top just before serving for extra shine and flavor.
- Blackened Salmon: After coating the salmon with olive oil, generously sprinkle it with blackened seasoning (like the one I use here) for a bold, smoky kick.
- Mediterranean Salmon: Before cooking, season the salmon with za’atar or sumac, then finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil right before serving.
- Maple Chipotle Salmon: Stir together maple syrup, chipotle chili powder, and smoked paprika, then brush it over the salmon before air frying for a sweet-meets-smoky glaze.
FAQ
If you’re short on time, you can cook salmon straight from frozen by air frying it for 3–4 minutes first to thaw slightly, then patting it dry, adding the oil and seasonings, and continuing to cook for about 11–13 minutes total. That said, thawed salmon will always yield the best results, since it cooks more evenly, develops a better crust, and allows the seasonings to adhere more easily. Highly recommend using thawed salmon if you can!
You can go either way. The skin helps retain moisture and crisp up nicely in the air fryer, but if you prefer it off, it won’t affect flavor or timing.
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 125–130°F for medium. (It will continue to cook a bit more once you remove it from the air fryer.) I’d recommend measuring the salmon with an instant-read thermometer to be sure it’s cooked to your liking.
I love and use this model, which I find cooks 6-ounce salmon filets perfectly at the 7-minute mark.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try!
Air Fryer Salmon
- Prep Time: 3 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin on or off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prep salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and rub evenly to coat. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the salmon and pat gently so the seasoning sticks.
- Air fry: Arrange fillets in the air fryer basket skin side down. Cook at 400°F for 7–9 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temp of 125–130°F for medium.
- Serve: Squeeze with fresh lemon juice just before serving.
After 3-4 years of going back and forth about whether or not I needed an air fryer I finally bought the one you recommended in your post! Thanks for sharing it and I can’t wait to make your salmon recipe in it when it arrives
Hi. I don’t see sumac in the ingredient list
Whoops, that was a typo! I had tested the recipe swapping sumac for onion powder at one point, which was also delicious!