Air Fryer Salmon
on Nov 13, 2023, Updated Mar 22, 2024
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Our Air Fryer Salmon recipe gives you buttery, tender salmon in a matter of minutes! If you are a fan of seafood but aren’t sure how to cook it then this recipe is for you.
Are you a fan of a well seasoned salmon filet but feel too inexperienced to cook one yourself? Our quick and easy air fryer salmon recipe takes all stress out of cooking seafood! With just a handful of ingredients and an air fryer you can have tender, perfectly cooked salmon in a matter of minutes.
Using an air fryer reduces the cook time and gives your salmon a delicious crust. The spice mix adds to the perfect amount of flavor to your buttery filets, giving you a low-cost, restaurant quality salmon dish in no time.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Takes the complexity out of cooking fish.
- Comes together in less than 30 minutes.
- Can be customized with a variety of spices.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon Filets—Either fresh or frozen.
- Olive Oil—Or another high heat oil to help cook the fish.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning—A zesty, slightly sweet spice mix that pairs well with seafood dishes.
- Garlic Powder—Adds a sharp savory flavor to balance the zest of the lemon pepper.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Classic Lemon Garlic Salmon: Season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Teriyaki Glazed Salmon:Marinate salmon in a teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes before air frying.
- Honey Mustard Salmon:Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and a bit of soy sauce to create a glaze for the salmon.
- Cajun-Style Salmon:Season salmon fillets with a Cajun spice blend for a flavorful kick.
- Coconut-Crusted Salmon:Dip salmon fillets in beaten egg and coat them with shredded coconut.
How to Cook Air Fryer Salmon
Step #1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Drizzle the olive oil over your salmon filets and use a pastry brush or your hands to make sure each filet is evenly coated.
Step #2. Combine the lemon pepper seasoning and garlic powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the salmon.
Step #3. Transfer your filets to the air fryer basket.
Step #4. Cook for 12 minutes.Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
It is completely up to you! We used frozen salmon in this recipe because it is slightly more affordable, but you can use fresh salmon as well. If you are using fresh salmon then you will want to lower the cook time to about 9 minutes. The flavor and texture of the dish will be the same whether you use fresh or frozen fish.
Lemon pepper seasoning is a tried and try spice mix when it comes to fish, but you are more than welcome to experiment with your favorite flavors. Other spices and ingredients you can use to flavor your salmon include dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, thyme, parsley, and freshly ground black pepper.
Even though we are using an air fryer, your salmon will not be very crispy. That being said, if your salmon does not have a slightly crispy exterior then it is likely because your air fryer is too crowded. Make sure you’re not cooking more than four filets at a time to ensure they cook evenly and properly.
Expert Tips
- Depending on the size of your filets, the package of salmon you buy will either have three or four filets. This recipe works with either amount.
- If you are cooking more than four filets then split them into multiple cooking groups. You don’t want to cook more than four filets at a time. Doing so will overcrowd the air fryer basket, causing the fish to cook unevenly.
- If you have a meat thermometer then you can check to see if your filets are done by ensuring they have reached an internal temperature of 145°F.
- The oil helps make sure the spices adhere to the filet and helps give the fish a nice, slightly crispy exterior.
- If you don’t have any olive oil then you can use vegetable, coconut, or any other high heat oil.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon is great at holding its own as a stand-alone entree. However, this dish can also be served as an appetizer or side dish. Either way you can serve it as is or with a variety of toppings. Some of our favorite toppings include tartar sauce, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sea salt. This soft, buttery salmon can be paired with a variety of dishes including:
- White or brown rice
- Steamed veggies
- Sweet potato fries
- Homemade salad
- Green Beans
How to Store Your Leftover Fish
Cooked salmon is good for up to 4 days in the fridge. I like to keep my salmon in an airtight container lined with one or two paper towels. The paper towels will help catch any excess liquid that might come off the filets as they are stored in the fridge. Make sure you keep your fish in an airtight container to prevent bacteria growth.
How to Reheat Your Leftover Fish
The best way to reheat your salmon is by using the oven. It will take a little longer than simply zapping your leftovers in the microwave, but you will end up with a much better product. Preheat your oven to 275°F and wrap each individual filet in tin foil. Place the fish on a baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes. Wrapping the fish in tin foil helps prevent them from drying out, giving you buttery salmon that is just as good as the first time you made it.
More Seafood Recipes To Consider
Seafood Recipes
Tuna Patties Recipe
From Scratch Recipes
Simple Shrimp Fajitas
Seafood Recipes
Baja Fish Tacos
Seafood Recipes
Butterfly Shrimp
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Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon filets, about 4, three-inch wide pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- While the air fryer is preheating, drizzle the oil over your salmon filets. Use your hand or a pastry brush to rub the oil into each filet, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Whisk together the garlic powder and lemon pepper seasoning. Sprinkle an even amount of the season mix over each filet.
- Once the air fryer is finished preheating, place your filets in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on the size of your filets, the package of salmon you buy will have either 3 or 4 filets. This recipe works with either amount.
- If you are cooking more than 4 filets, split them into two groups so you don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Overcrowding the air fryer can increase the cook time and cause the filets to cook unevenly.
- Serve your filets by themselves or top them with a little bit of tartar sauce. You can also serve your fish with a side of steamed veggies or any variety of rice.
- Make sure your salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145 before serving.
- The oil helps adhere the spice mix to the fish and also helps give the fish a nice, slightly crispy exterior.
- If you don’t have any olive oil you can use vegetable oil or coconut oil instead.
- You can store leftover salmon in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure your leftovers are in an airtight container.
- Reheat your leftovers by wrapping the filets in tin foil and preheating the oven to 275. Cook your leftovers for 15 minutes. This helps prevent the salmon from drying out.
