Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
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Learn how to make crisp on the outside and perfectly tender, moist, and flaky salmon fillets in your air fryer. This Air Fryer Salmon Fillets recipe is quick and easy, fuss-free, and a great way to add protein and healthy fats to a meal! Ready in under 15 minutes!
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try my Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, this Air Fryer Potato Wedges, or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges next!
About This Recipe
While I adore the texture of pan-fried salmon, like in this Spicy Indian Pan-fried Salmon, I love making salmon fillets in my air fryer. This Air Fryer Salmon Fillets recipe is quick and easy, fuss-free and possibly the easiest way to cook salmon!
We are talking about cooked salmon that is tender, flaky and moist on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside! AND it’s ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish! With a short prep time, simple ingredients and minimal clean up, you can enjoy your air fryer salmon as a main dish for lunch or dinner or use it for meal prep!
Bonus? I’ve found that unlike with pan-seared salmon, the house doesn’t smell fishy after cooking in the air fryer. 🙌
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy. Unlike making baked salmon fillets or pan-fried salmon, air fryer salmon is quicker and won’t heat up the entire kitchen or make it smell excessively fishy! Huge win during hot summer months!
- Great source of protein and healthy fats. Salmon is rich in protein and omega-3s. These air fryer salmon fillets are a great addition to any meal!
- Simple seasonings. All you need is salt, pepper and cooking oil spray for this simple recipe.
- Customizable. You can use a store-bought or homemade seasoning blend with all your favorite herbs and spices or jazz things up with a marinade or sauce.
- Meal prep friendly. Store in the fridge and use for easy lunches and dinners during the week!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutes
- Salmon Fillets: You’ll need two boneless, skin-on salmon fillets, roughly 4-6 ounces (114-170 grams) each. You can use skinless salmon fillets or 1 to 2-inch cubed salmon pieces too but I prefer skin-on fillets.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: To season the salmon. If using table salt, use a little less than half the amount specified. Fresh cracked black pepper tastes best if you have a pepper grinder. Otherwise, coarse ground black pepper will work too.
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray: Ensures the salmon skin doesn’t stick to the air fryer basket. Avocado oil spray, coconut oil spray, rice bran oil, grapeseed oil spray or canola oil spray are other good options. You can also just use olive oil, avocado oil or any of the aforementioned oils mentioned and a pastry brush to coat the basket. Avoid cooking spray with propellant such as PAM or similar as they can damage the nonstick coating of your air fryer basket.
- Other Seasonings (optional): I kept the seasoning simple with just salt and pepper, but you could also use garlic powder, smoked paprika (or regular paprika), Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, etc.
Full ingredient list and amounts are in the recipe card below.
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How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Below are step-by-step photos and a brief overview on how to make this recipe. Keep scrolling down to get to the recipe card below with the full recipe and detailed instructions!
Serving Suggestions
- Salad and wraps. Serve with a simple salad for an easy and healthy dinner or lunch. It’s also great in a multigrain wrap with my Kebab Shop Garlic Sauce and fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Add to a pasta dish, noodles, or rice bowl. I love topping off this Creamy Zucchini Basil Pasta with air fryer salmon. It’s such an easy protein to whip up to add to any vegetarian pasta dish that could use a protein boost. It also goes perfectly with cooked rice or other grain in a grain bowl (quinoa, millet, barley, farro, etc.) with and some steamed, roasted or grilled broccoli, green beans, edamame, or other veggies with your favorite sauce! Drizzle my Spicy Harissa Mayo sauce or this Creamy Cilantro and Mint Sauce over a salmon rice bowl!
- Sandwich salad. You can also make a salmon salad by flaking the flesh and combining it with cottage cheese, Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, crunchy veggies like celery and red onion, and some fresh herbs and seasonings. Try using it in this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad or Cottage Cheese Egg Salad in place of the air fryer chicken or hard-boiled eggs respectively!
- Use in fried rice. Or any recipe that calls for pan-fried or cooked salmon! Try my Garlic Salmon Fried Rice, Choo Chee Salmon Curry, or Spicy Cumin Noodles with Salmon.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Salmon
- Storing: Leftover salmon can be stored in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat in an air fryer, line the basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper (or spray lightly with oil). Place the salmon in the basket and air fry at 300°F/150°C for 4-7 minutes or until heated through.
Alternatively, reheat gently in a lightly oiled nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave on medium for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Cook’s Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Make sure the salmon fillets are not touching each other or the sides of the basket so that there is enough room for the hot air to circulate. If you are making more than 2 fillets, you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Use a meat thermometer. Using a meat thermometer (instant-read thermometer) is the best way to check the internal temperature of the salmon fillets to make sure they are cooked through. Salmon is safe to eat when the thickest part of the fillet reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C. You can also use a fork to check if the flesh flakes easily and looks opaque. I personally love and use my ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE instant-read thermometer every time I make this air fryer salmon fillet recipe.
- Adjust cook time based on salmon fillet thickness. Thicker and larger salmon fillets (1.5-inches thick) will take longer to cook in an air fryer. Smaller and flatter cuts will cook more quickly. Keep in mind that the amount of time it takes to cook salmon in an air fryer will also vary across different air fryer models and brands.
- Use air fryer liners. Or aluminum foil or parchment paper. The skin won’t get as crispy as when air frying directly on top of a lightly oiled air fryer basket. However, it’ll make cleanup much easier and guarantee no sticking!
Variations
- Add herbs. Italian seasoning, Herbs de Provence, or dried thyme would add great flavor.
- Make it spicy! Add ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne to the seasoning mix to make spicy air fryer salmon!
- Mexican style. Use ⅛ teaspoon each ground cumin, ground coriander, chipotle chili powder or regular chili powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon Mexican dried oregano (or regular dried oregano), ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½-1 teaspoon brown sugar, and ½ tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Serve with a lemon wedge. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top to enhance the flavor of the fish.
FAQs
About 7-9 minutes at 400°F/200°C depending on thickness of the fillets and how cold the salmon is. The thicker the fillet, the longer it will take to cook through and register 145°F/63°C on an instant read thermometer when pierced in the thickest part of the fillet.
It depends. I sometimes don’t add any oil because the salmon fillets I use are fatty enough and release their own natural oils when air frying. However, oil helps prevent the skin from sticking to the basket and also makes it crispy. Since I discard the skin, the texture of it doesn’t matter to me. If you plan on eating the skin, it’s best to lightly spray your basket with oil so that it gets crispy.
Flipping is not necessary. Though note that thicker fillets may naturally fall on their side when air frying.
I recommend preheating your air fryer to reduce overall air frying time.
Yes, you can but you will need to add a few minutes to the air frying time.
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More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Learn how to make crisp on the outside and perfectly tender, moist, and flaky salmon fillets in your air fryer. This Air Fryer Salmon Fillets recipe is quick and easy, fuss-free, and a great way to add protein and healthy fats to a meal! Ready in under 15 minutes!
- Prep Time: 3
- Cook Time: 9
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 Salmon Fillets (4–6 ounces each/about 114–170 grams), boneless, skin-on (note 1)
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt (note 2)
- 2 sprays / 1ml Olive Oil Cooking Spray (or use ½–1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil)
Other Seasonings (optional):
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika (or regular paprika)
- ½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Lemon Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Remove the salmon fillets from the packaging it came in and gently pat-dry with paper towels. Place on a plate and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Preheat the air fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with the olive oil cooking spray. Preheat your air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 3 minutes (or according to manufacturer’s instructions).
- Air fry: Place the salmon fillets (skin side down) in the center of the basket, making sure they don’t touch each other or the sides of the basket so that there is enough room for the hot air to circulate. Air fry for 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of each salmon fillet registers at least 145°F/63°C on an instant read meat thermometer. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice: Peel off the salmon skin if desired or leave it on, then serve. Or transfer to meal prep boxes to serve with pasta, in wraps, with rice, etc.
Equipment
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners
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Buy Now → Notes
- Salmon Fillets. I prefer to leave the skin on during cooking to ensure that the flesh of the fillets doesn’t dry out during air frying. You can remove the skin after cooking if desired or leave it on when serving.
- Kosher Salt. If using table salt, use a little less than half the amount specified since it is saltier than coarse ground kosher salt.
- Storing and reheating. Store in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat in an air fryer, line the basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper (or spray lightly with oil). Place the salmon in the basket and air fry at 300°F/150°C for 4-7 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat gently in a lightly oiled nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave on medium for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Make sure the salmon fillets are not touching each other or the sides of the basket so that there is enough room for the hot air to circulate. If you are making more than 2 fillets, you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- How long does it take to air fry salmon? About 7-9 minutes depending on thickness of the fillets and how cold the salmon is. Using a meat thermometer (instant-read thermometer) is the best way to check the internal temperature of the salmon fillets to make sure they are cooked through. Salmon is safe to eat when the thickest part of the fillet reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C. You can also use a fork to check if the flesh flakes easily and looks opaque.
- See the ‘Variations’ section for customizing this recipe and the ‘Serving Suggestions’ section for ideas on ways to serve air fryer salmon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 273
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 372.5mg
- Fat: 19.7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16.3
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 23.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
This post may contain affiliate links. We are a part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary based on several factors. It should only be used as a general guideline. For more information, please see our Disclosure.
