Perfect air fryer salmon with a luxurious melt-in-the-mouth texture. 3 ingredients, 5 minutes prep, zero effort to cook, 100% delicious!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple prep – simply oil and season salmon fillets or steaks
- Fast cook time – salmon is ready in minutes for an easy weeknight meal.
- Incredibly moist, flaky salmon with crispy browned edges.
Fancy restaurant-worthy salmon in just minutes with no messy pans – gourmet made simple!
Scroll down for the printable card for this air fryer salmon recipe, or read on for all the details!
What do you need?
Fresh salmon fillets
The recipe below calls for salmon fillets, but you can also use salmon steaks. Try to choose fillets that are a uniform thickness so that they cook evenly.
The difference between a salmon fillet and a salmon steak is the way they are cut.
- Salmon fillets are cut from the side of the fish, and often have the bones removed.
- Salmon steaks (also known as salmon cutlets) are cut directly through the fish, and include bones.
Note: Cooking times for salmon steaks may be a little longer than for fillets as they tend to be thicker cut.
Seasoning
This recipe uses simple salt and black pepper for seasoning. However, there are many many options for seasoning salmon that you can use. Try:
- A simple spice mix of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and salt
- Press a tablespoon of dukkha on top of the salmon fillets before placing in the air fryer
- Glaze with teriyaki sauce before air frying
- Lemon pepper seasoning
Oil
This recipe below specifies light olive oil, but you can substitute any cooking oil with a high smoke point. Try avocado oil or vegetable oil.
Alternatively, you can use an olive oil spray for a lighter version.
Tip
When choosing an olive oil spray for your air fryer, look for the type that spritzes rather than an aerosol. The propellant in aerosol oil sprays can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
How to cook salmon in the air fryer
This recipe is very simple to make, there are just a few key steps to getting it just right:
- Prepare the salmon. Preheat air fryer to 390°F/ 195°C. Pat salmon dry, and remove any remaining pin bones. Brush or spritz a little oil onto the salmon, then season with salt and pepper.
- Place salmon in the air fryer basket, skin side down. If you are cooking more than one fillet or steak, ensure they are not touching.
- Air fry salmon at 390°F/ 195°C for 8-12 minutes until cooked through. See section below for more on cooking times.
- Rest salmon. Once the salmon has finished air frying, remove it from the air fryer, place it on a plate, and cover with foil for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tip
It is important to rest salmon following cooking so that the juices can reabsorb, keeping it succulent and juicy.
How long to cook salmon in the air fryer
The exact cooking time for air frying salmon depends on a few factors, including the thickness of the piece of salmon you have used, and how powerful your air fryer is.
It is important to be careful not to over-cook salmon, as it can end up dry and unappetizing.
For this reason it is best to air fry it for a shorter time than you think you need, then test the temperature, and air fry for additional 1-2 minute intervals as needed until it is just cooked through.
The USDA recommends cooking seafood to at least 145°F/ 63°C.
Tip
Use an instant read thermometer to measure the temperature in the center of the thickest part of the meat for an accurate temperature reading.
Serving ideas
For a simple dinner, serve air fried salmon with a side of steamed vegetables or salad and a freshly cut lemon wedge on the side. Alternatively, try making some fresh dill mayo.
Some great side dishes that go with salmon are:
- Air fryer roasted potatoes – part cook them before air frying the salmon, then finish them off in the air fryer while the salmon is resting
- Air fryer broccolini
- Instant Pot mashed potato
- Instant Pot coconut rice
- Microwave green beans
- Microwave broccoli
Storing and reheating
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge, and use it within 3 days.
To reheat salmon, air fry at 320°F/ 160°C for around 10-12 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F/ 63°C.
Air Fryer Salmon (fillets or steaks)
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets or steaks approx 6oz/ 170g each
- Drizzle of light olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F/ 195°C.
- Pat salmon fillets dry, remove any remaining pin bones.
- Lightly rub salmon with oil, season with salt and pepper.
- Place salmon in air fryer basket. If cooking more than one fillet ensure they are not touching.
- Air fry salmon at 390°F/ 195°C for 8-12 minutes [Note 1], until 145°F/ 63°C in the center of the thickest part.
- Remove salmon from air fryer, cover with foil and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook times depend on thickness of salmon fillets or steak, and how powerful you air fryer is. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
