Air Fryer Salmon

This delectable and easy Air Fryer Salmon recipe with eight simple ingredients is a cinch to make, and it cooks up in about ten minutes, bursting with flavor. It is moist, flaky, and tender.

It is one of our favorite ways to enjoy salmon because it is so tasty, quick, and uncomplicated. With a couple of easy side dishes, dinner is on the table in less than 20 minutes.   I love to serve it with Air Fryer Asparagus and baked potatoes.

How to make Air Fryer Salmon

Start by combining the brown sugar, Old Bay Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Then brush a little olive oil over the salmon filets.  Now run the brown sugar mixture over the salmon and let them sit while the air fryer is preheating for about 5 minutes.  Then place them inside the air fryer basket with a little space between them and cook for about 7 minutes.  Now open the air fryer basket and check to see if they are done to your liking.  Salmon flakes easily with a fork when done. If not, pop the fillets back in for a couple more minutes.  If desired, sprinkle with chopped Italian Parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges.

Recipe notes and helpful tips

• Wild-caught salmon is the healthiest and tastiest but also the most expensive, so watch for sales.
• Most wild-caught salmon is vacuum sealed and frozen. When ready to thaw and cook, remove the frozen salmon from the vacuum seal and place it in a resealable bag.  Let it thaw in the fridge for about 24 hours.
• Cajun seasoning can be substituted for Old Bay Seasoning. 
• Leave the skin on and cook it skin side down. It makes it easier to remove from the air fryer in one piece, and it helps hold in the juices keeping the salmon moist.
• Serve with a variety of veggies like broccoli, cauliflower rice, asparagus, or green beans. 
• Do not overcook the salmon. Salmon is cooked through when a meat thermometer reaches a 145-degree internal temperature at the thickest part of the salmon. Be prepared to quickly remove it from the air fryer basket to stop the cooking process.
• Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Leftover salmon is hard to reheat (see below for recommended methods), so consider using it chilled and flaked in a garden salad or in my Salmon Salad.

How to reheat salmon

• Do not reheat salmon in a microwave.  It may be tempting, but it will dry it out, leaving you with an overcooked rubbery, flavorless piece of expensive fish.
• First, spritz or brush the salmon with a little olive oil.  Then place it in a foil tent on a baking sheet. Reheat in a preheated 275-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until heated through.
• Consider flaking the salmon filet and using it in something like a Nicoise Salad or in a recipe that adds a lot of moisture, like Smoked Salmon Patties.

More air fryer recipes

Air Fryer Salmon

This Air Fryer Salmon recipe has a simple five-ingredient rub that ensures a flavorful taste and a tender filet every time.  Surprise your family with this quick and easy recipe tonight.

5 from 26 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: main meal fish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 299kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped Italian Parsley
• fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

• Combine the brown sugar, Old Bay Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
• Spritz or brush olive oil over the salmon filets. Rub the brown sugar mixture over the salmon.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.  Place the filets in the air fryer basket with a bit of space between them.  Cook for 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
• If desired, sprinkle with chopped Italian Parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

• Wild-caught salmon is the healthiest and tastiest but also the most expensive, so watch for sales.
• Most wild-caught salmon is vacuum sealed and frozen. When ready to thaw and cook, remove the frozen salmon from the vacuum seal and place it in a resealable bag.  Let it thaw in the fridge for about 24 hours.
• Cajun seasoning can be substituted for Old Bay Seasoning. 
• Leave the skin on and cook it skin side down. It makes it easier to remove from the air fryer in one piece, and it helps hold in the juices keeping the salmon moist.
• Serve with a variety of veggies like broccoli, cauliflower rice, asparagus, or green beans. 
• Do not overcook the salmon. Salmon is cooked through when a meat thermometer reaches a 145-degree internal temperature at the thickest part of the salmon. Be prepared to quickly remove it from the air fryer basket to stop the cooking process.
• Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Leftover salmon is hard to reheat (see below for recommended methods), so consider using it chilled and flaked in a garden salad. 

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 368mg | Potassium: 857mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 208IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

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