Cook tender, flaky air fryer salmon fillets in just minutes using the air fryer!
Salmon filets are simply seasoned and cook in less than 10 minutes in the air fryer. They make a perfect weeknight meal!
Serve these with a side of rice pilaf, or use them to top a salad or favorite pasta dish.
We Love Salmon in the Air Fryer
- An air fryer saves time and cooks much faster than a traditional oven.
- It’s easy to prepare and cleanup is a breeze.
- With an air fryer, salmon is cooked evenly and always comes out moist and flavorful with a crispy, glazed top.
- You can add your favorite seasonings, sauces or marinades to achieve a unique taste.
- Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner or to top a salad or pasta dish.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon
Salmon – Choose fillets that are clean and the same size, so they cook evenly. Thaw frozen fillets or frozen salmon patties before cooking, and add minutes for extra thick fillets.
Seasoning – This 5 ingredient brown sugar seasoning couldn’t be any easier! Sugar-free brown sugar substitutes work just as well. Swap up the seasonings by adding your favorite spices like smoked paprika or try a salmon seasoning.
Variations – Use what’s on hand or make your own seasonings for air fryer salmon to make it new every time! Try this Cajun seasoning, or use the salmon to make fish tacos
Make a beurre blanc for a more elegant entrée, or go Asian style with a homemade ginger and soy sauce marinade.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Season the salmon and place it in a preheated air fryer.
- Cook until heated through and the skin is crispy (as per recipe below).
Quick-cooking vegetables like air fryer asparagus, small pieces of broccoli or sliced zucchini can also be added to the air fryer.
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Salmon
- Choose clean, brightly colored salmon filets and make sure they don’t have soft spots or discoloration.
- Leave the skin on for flavor and to benefit from its high protein and Omega-3 content.
- Pat the salmon pieces dry before cooking to help the oil and seasonings stick.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. As soon as its cooked, remove the salmon from air fryer basket so it doesn’t continue cooking.
- Cook salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Leftover Salmon
Air fryer salmon will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator sealed in a zippered bag or airtight container.
Delicious Salmon Dishes to Try!
More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Did your family love this Air Fryer Salmon? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 salmon filets about 6 ounces each
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
- 1 lemon sliced, plus extra for serving
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
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Brush salmon with olive oil.
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In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, and lemon pepper. Sprinkle over salmon filets.
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Place lemon slices in the air fryer basket and place the salmon filets on top.
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Cook 6 to 9 minutes* or just until cooked through. Do not overcook.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Fish, Main Course
Cuisine American
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Two days in a row with my air fryer; another very good recipe. I made salmon with another recipe before and it was dry. This was so tasty moist with the lemon makes it special; I did add chopped tarragon from my fresh herbs. Thank you for posting. Happy I found you again,
Glad to have you back! Thanks for trying our recipe.
Hi Holly!
When putting the salmon on the lemons, would you place them skin side up or down?
Thanks!
We place the lemon slices in the air fryer first and then top them with the salmon fillets skin side down.
Hi Holly,
Is this using fresh, thawed or frozen salmon?
This recipe uses fresh or thawed salmon.
Do I put that at 400 on air fry or bake on my air fryer?
You will select air fry to make this recipe. Thanks for checking, Kristen!
Yummmmmmy!! I used a thinner piece of frozen salmon 400° for about 15 minutes being extra cautious monitoring the temp towards the final minutes, came out so nice and crispy on the outside, perfectly flakey on the inside, just wonderful. I didn’t even have any fresh lemon on hand to add, i can only imagine how good it will be when i do! Even my boyfriend who “hates salmon” loved it. Never thought to combine lemon pepper and brown sugar… brilliant!
Currently making a big batch of the seasoning blend to have on hand at all times, thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear, Maggie! I am glad you both loved it.
The steps are confusing….
1. Says to remove salmon and serve immediately.
2. Says to heat the air fryer and goes on to cook the salmon……..
Sorry for the confusion, the recipe was showing as duplicate. I have updated it.
Hi, Holly. I’ve been putting my salmon and broccoli/brussel sprouts in a foil pack and cooking in the oven. How can I incorporate the veggies into your air fryer salmon recipe. Can the veggies go in the air fryer with the salmon?
Hi Jenni, you can look at the temperature and cook time for the veggies and add them to the air fryer so they’d be done at the same time. Alternatively, cook the veggies first, then the salmon. Once the salmon is done, quickly reheat the veggies for a couple minutes!
Made this tonight. It was awesome. Definitely a keeper.
Definitely trying this recipe! Have you used your spice rub for any other air fryer recipes? It sounds great and I am wondering how it would be on other things like chicken.
I haven’t tried the rub on chicken, but I agree, it would sure be delish Margaret!
Wonderful dish. Easy to make (I’m a widower) turns out perfect! Best Salmon I’ve had anywhere. Thought I’d have leftovers, that didn’t happen…so good.
Thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome David!
Holy cow! This turned out crazy delicious and I made a pig of myself on it. I didn’t have any lemons so skipped that. I can’t even imagine how this could be even better if I had used them too. The outside of the salmon had a REALLY yummy and crispy outside coating and the center was perfect, flaky and moist. I did use a thermometer. I saved this recipe and will definitely be a regular.
Thanks for sharing Marianne, so happy you love this salmon!
Made this tonight, fantastic recipe! Thank you!! I used all trader joes ingredients, and its super easy with they’re lemon pepper! Thank you!!!
So glad you loved this recipe Rebecca!
I am going to try this salmon Air fryer recipe soon. Your recipes ALWAYS come out fantastic . Have you published any cookbooks that we can purchase?
I don’t have one as of yet but I really do hope to have one soon!
I’m so excited to announce that my cookbook Everday Comfort is available for purchase! Thank you so much for your support ♥️