This Easy Air Fryer Salmon recipe is quick to make using fresh or frozen fish. This post includes all of the tips on how to make tender, juicy, and perfect salmon.
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This post originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.
FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Can you cook fish in an air fryer? Absolutely! My 3 Ingredient Air Fryer Catfish is a hit! Overall, seafood works really well in the air fryer. I have also made Air Fryer Fish Sticks, Panko Breaded Bang Bang Shrimp and Shrimp Po Boys.
My catfish recipe is breaded, however, you can make fish with no breading in the air fryer, too! The great thing is, it doesn't take long for seafood recipes to cook! They are ready in no time. This salmon will measure up to any grilled fish recipe.
If you are looking to make salmon patties in the air fryer, you can follow the linked recipe and the same cook times noted below.
Is Salmon Good in the Air Fryer
Cooking salmon is wonderful in the air fryer! It cooks the fish to the perfect texture. I like salmon that is moist and flaky. I'm not a fan of dry salmon.
Best Type of Salmon to Use
I like to use wild-caught salmon. It has a beautiful bright color and a buttery taste. The fish consume a natural diet and are lower in calories and fat.
Salmon that is sourced from the Atlantic is usually farmed. Farmed means antibiotics and food coloring (to give it a pink color) are used. This adds harmful chemical additives to the fish.
You can read more about What Type of Salmon is the Healthiest to Eat here.
How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer
- First, decide how you want to season the salmon. One of my favorite methods to use is lemon pepper seasoned salmon. I also always use a seafood seasoning when preparing seafood. I love Primal Palate.
- You should also coat the salmon in oil. I like to use olive oil, but avocado oil and butter will work well too. Coat the salmon in oil and seasonings. Rub the seasoning into the salmon.
- I leave the skin on the salmon. The air fryer will produce tender, flaky salmon. The skin will come right off when it's cooked.
- Air fry the salmon.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
The time to cook salmon in the air fryer is minimal. Mine was ready in 10 minutes. Each air fryer brand is different and will cook at a different speed. Your salmon may need to cook for 10-12 minutes.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 360 degrees because it's the best temperature to use if you don't want to overcook the salmon. Overcooked salmon is dry and lacks flavor.
Can You Use Frozen Salmon
If you are using frozen salmon, raise the temperature on the air fryer to 390 degrees and cook them for 8 minutes. Monitor the salmon closely. Overall, I recommend using fresh salmon. It will yield better results.
How to Tell the Fish is Done
When the fish is done, it will be a translucent pink in the middle. It should also look flaky. You can check out more tips on How to Tell if Salmon is Overcooked here.
How to Reheat
For leftovers, I reheat the salmon in the air fryer for 4 minutes on 360 degrees.
Other Salmon Seasonings and Flavors:
You can use a couple of teaspoons of any of the following, to substitute lemon pepper seasoning:
Cajun Seasoning
Smoked Paprika
Mediterranean Seasoning
Pair this Salmon with These Recipes
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
More Salmon Recipes
Salmon Fried Rice
Keto Salmon Patties
Blackened Salmon
Crab Stuffed Salmon
Pan-Seared Salmon
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Maple Glazed Salmon
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
Ninja Foodi Grill Salmon
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon, sliced into fillets I use Wild Caught Salmon
- 1 fresh lemon Half of the lemon is used for the juice to marinate the salmon. Slice the other half of the lemon into slices to garnish the salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry completely using paper towels.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a bowl. Add in ½ lemon (juice from the lemon) and stir.
- Brush the mixture onto the salmon.
- I leave the skin on the salmon fillets because it will peel right off once the salmon is cooked. Leaving the skin on will help prevent the salmon from drying out. Season the salmon with the spices and salt, and be sure to focus on the top edge as well as the left and right sides of each piece. Rub the spices into the salmon. This will prevent them from "sitting on top" of the salmon as it cooks. You want it to penetrate.
- Place the salmon in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the salmon for 10-12 minutes on 360 degrees. Mine was ready right at 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and test that the inside of the salmon has reached 145 degrees.
- Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Nicole says
This salmon recipe is really easy to follow. I will make one for the weekend it looks delicious. Thank you.
Hannah says
I made this for dinner tonight by following the directions to the last detail and it turned out fantastic!! Simple and delicious.
staysnatched says
I love simple and delicious!
gloria randall says
Hello, Brandi!
Is the sockeye salmon at thrive market that i see in the picture at your website for air fryer salmon recipe sold as farm raised?
staysnatched says
Hi there, no they do not sell any farm raised salmon as farmed raised salmon has chemicals. Wild caught salmon is free of those.
Cassandra Parker says
This salmon was amazing! Quick and easy and so delicious! Thanks for helping me use my air fryer that has been sitting on the shelf for way too long.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you were able to use it!
Laura says
Brandi has stepped my overall cooking, but especially seafood game UP. This recipe is easy and soooo DELICIOUS.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Donkeyhow.com says
Sounds very good. Love Salmon & my Air Fryer Oven. Thanks.
staysnatched says
I hope you try it out.
Eddie H says
Made this tonight. Super easy when my kids are screaming their heads off!!
Keep it up!!!
staysnatched says
ha ha! I love that!
Victoria says
I'm not a fan of salmon but my husband loves it. Based on the great success I've had with other recipes from Staysnatched, I was eager to test my air fryer with salmon. Success again! Husband thoroughly enjoyed the salmon and I appreciated the ease of preparation. I followed the same recipe for my piece of milder halibut and it was delicious. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Lilia says
So delicious and so easy! Never making salmon any other way again! Thank you, Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Brittany says
I’ve never cooked salmon in the air fryer until tonight and this was amazing! I will never cook my salmon any other way. Thanks!
staysnatched says
Air fryer salmon is so good! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Mo says
Thank you so much for this! I’m literally never putting salmon in the oven again! So easy and PERFECTLY cooked.
staysnatched says
Yes! Such an easy salmon recipe!
D'Andra Alexander says
Brandi,
I just wanted to say thanks for being so detailed in your recipes. I’ve made this recipe twice in the last week for lunch and I LOVE it. NO DRY SALMON FTW!!! I’ll be making it again for lunch this week for work. Please keep up the simple, yet easy recipes to follow. I’m excited to try your low carb tacos next. I have a feeling I’ll be back for a review of those real soon. Much love from California!!!
staysnatched says
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy the recipe.
Sabrina Boucher says
Thank you Brandi for another easy and fool proof recipe. I'm relatively new to cooking and having your recipes have made it so much fun and easy to learn! This salmon is so simple to make on a busy weeknight and best believe it will not be dry. Highly suggest pairing it with her air fryer green bean recipe.
staysnatched says
That's a great pairing! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Sasha says
Super good and super easy salmon recipe!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Marisol McNash says
I finally got an air fryer for Christmas this year and I knew I wanted to try one of your recipes first!
I was not disappointed! So easy and so flavorful!
Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
YES! Love it. So glad you enjoyed the salmon.
Ebony Shelby says
Simply amazing!! I love how the recipe was easy to follow and the cook times were right on. My Salmon came out perfect 🤩
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
DJ says
Don't be a total ding dong like me and try to preheat the air fryer with parchment paper inside. The air fryer will suck up your parchment paper and light yo shit on fire.
Otherwise, nice, easy, and delicious recipe.
Thanks, fam
staysnatched says
You definitely have to anchor the parchment. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kelly says
So easy and delicious! My new go-to way of making salmon!
staysnatched says
I love to hear it!
Heather says
Just made this recipe (seasoned with Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning) and it was fantastic. SO easy and the salmon turned out perfectly cooked and delicious. 180C for 11 minutes was perfect. Thank you for saving us from dry salmon!!
staysnatched says
No dry salmon! Glad you enjoyed it.
Tatum says
This came out perfectly!!!! Can’t wait to try more
staysnatched says
I love to hear it.
Terita says
My salmon came out perfectly cooked! I was scared I would either burn it or it would be dry. Thanks to your instructions the end result is tender just how I like it! It’s too hot to turn a stove on! Salmon for Taco Tuesdays!
staysnatched says
I love that idea!
Kailyn Johnson says
First time cooking wild caught salmon in the air fryer and it was so easy and delicious! The seasoning was perfect and the salmon didn’t even have the game taste. Love using the air fryer instead of the oven!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
marcella says
So good and easy! I too hate dry salmon and this was so delicious and did not heat up my house on a hot summer day (with no AC) I had a smaller piece of salmon so started with 6 minutes and it was just right at 7. Also, those parchment liners are the bomb.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it.
Barbara says
OMG this salmon was amazing!!! It’s soooooo quick and turnend out so delicious! Thanks 🥰
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Shunta Grant says
Perfect. Moist. Simple. Thank you Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Heather says
The salmon came out so juicy and delicious. No one wants overcooked dry salmon.
staysnatched says
Yes! You are right about that.
Britt says
I can’t get over how delicious this turned out! Definitely the only way I am making salmon from now on!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear you will make it again.
Shaundrika says
I can’t get enough of your recipes this one in particular!! I stopped getting salmon when I eat out because I can make my own so deliciously! I’m down weight because of your recipes and riding my Peloton! We all know bodies are made in the kitchen! Forever grateful 🙂
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Dara says
This recipe is a true winner. I was feeling lazy and wanted an easy salmon dinner. I knew immediately to try Brandi’s website to see if there was an air fryer salmon and this did not disappoint. Thanks Brandi, this is going into our dinner rotation.
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it will be in the rotation!
Brooke says
Salmon was simple and quick to make. Came out flavorful and perfectly cooked!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Amanda says
Easy and delicious - Brandi’s recipes are always dependable!! Thank you! (Planning on trying the air fryer lobster this weekend! Can’t wait!)
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy that, too!
Sydney says
I had never made salmon before and knew just where to find an easy to follow recipe! I will definitely be adding salmon into my weekly meals. This recipe is great!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Ebony Shelby says
If you want a quick no fuss Salmon recipe this is it. I never really knew before using this recipe if I was cooking it right. I feel like after this recipe I got it all together. I’m an old pro now at cooking salmon especially in the air fryer!
staysnatched says
Yay to being a pro.
Melissa says
Just made this for dinner and it came out perfect! Thank you so much for sharing.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Dara says
This recipe is so delicious and so easy. Love the lemon pepper seasoning on the salmon. The salmon cooked perfectly and was so flavorful. A great meal for a busy weeknight.
staysnatched says
That's a great way to season it!
Nicki Young says
You already know I LOVE your recipes! I made this today to make something easy and paired it with your asparagus recipe (the only way I’ll eat it now) and it was so good and so healthy too. Will definitely keep in the rotation!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Katie says
Made this recipe last night for dinner it was so simple and delicious!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear it!
Mary says
This might be the only way I make salmon from now on. I followed the instructions to a T because Brandi's recipes are always so well tested and it was PERFECT! 10 Minutes, easy, simple clean up, and it is tender and beautifully cooked. This recipe is another complete win!
staysnatched says
I'm glad it was a win!
Sateria says
Thanks for always providing easy, reliable, and delicious recipes! My salmon came out perfectly!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it!
Crystal says
Really so easy! Used frozen filets from Butcherbox and it was delicious! Less mess than cooking on the stove.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear it!
Sydney says
Fastest and best way to make salmon! Dinner in minutes and of course it tastes good!
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Meghann says
Finally tried the air fryer for salmon and followed your tips and it turned out great!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Monica R says
I use this method for my salmon, almost every week. Today I made Asian-marinated salmon for fish tacos, and it came out perfect! These base recipes are such an easy way to change things up and add different flavors to your quick weeknight dinners. Thanks, Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoy it.
Shauntel says
So thankful for these detailed instructions- I can make delicious salmon so quickly and easily now.
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!