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How to Make Salmon in the Air Fryer

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This Air Fryer Salmon is so flaky and scrumptious. You'll love the delicious salmon rub that makes this recipe so flavorful!

If you want to add some sides to your salmon, you should try these tasty Air Fryer baked potato and air fryer asparagus.

close up image of flaky air fryer salmon
Table Of Contents
  • Air Fryer Salmon Details
  • Here's What You'll Need
  • How to make it
  • Helpful Recipe Tips
  • How To Know When Salmon Is Done?
  • Can I Use Frozen Salmon?
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Air fryer recipes to try!
  • Recipe Video
  • Full Recipe Instructions

Air Fryer Salmon Details

  • Flavor– If you love the taste of baked salmon and seafood rub, this recipe has it all. Fresh fish, with brown sugar and smoked paprika salmon rub, gives it a smokey-sweet flavor that is simply irresistible.
  • Texture– The outside of the salmon has a crisp crust and the inside has a moist and flaky texture that pairs incredibly well with crispy baby potatoes or roasted vegetables.
  • Ease– This recipe is insanely easy! All you need to do is season the fish, place it in the air fryer, and cook it. Thats it!
  • Time– My salmon fillets were 6 ounces each and they took just under 1o minutes to cook. Also, there is almost no prep time so this recipe is super fast! The air fryer circulates hot air around the entire piece of fish, cooking it quickly without drying it.

Here's What You'll Need

  • Oil- Olive oil is used to help the seasonings stick to the salmon fillets.
  • Garlic- pressed garlic is sprinkled on top to bring out more flavor.
  • Seasoning– Rub with Love Salmon Rub, which is a combination of paprika, thyme, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
overhead image of air fryer salmon ingredients on a white background

How to make it

  • Season the salmon.Season the salmon with olive oil, pressed garlic, salmon rub, and salt (to taste). To make your own salmon rub, combine 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp thyme, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.
  • Oil the air fryer basket/sheet. If you have an oven-type air fryer, line the baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. If it's the basket air fryer, then just spray the basket with cooking spray.
  • Cook.If you are using the oven air fryer then cook the salmon for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have the basket air fryer, then cook it on one side for 10 minutes, and then 7 more on the other side. Then serve your flaky air fryer salmon with a few lemon wedges or as is.
overhead image collage on how to make air fryer salmon

Helpful Recipe Tips

  • Salmon size– Choose pieces of salmon fillet that are similar in size so they cook evenly and finish baking at the same time.
  • Pat it dry– make sure the fillets are blotted dry with a paper towel so that the spices adhere better.
  • Check for doneness– insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to make sure it reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serving– this salmon is best served with starchy sides like creamy mashed potatoes or tortellini alfredo.
close up image of cooked air fryer salmon

How To Know When Salmon Is Done?

The best way to tell if salmon is done is by checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Salmon is done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a meat thermometer, don't worry! You can also tell by checking its color. Raw salmon is translucent and reddish. So when it's cooked, it should turn into an opaque pink color. Near the end of the cooking time, it should be fully pink.

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes! You can place frozen (seasoned) salmon fillets into the preheated air fryer and cook the same way you would with fresh salmon. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time to ensure that the fish is cooked through.

overhead image of two salmon fillets on a white plate with chopped parsley and lemon wedges beside it

Serving Suggestions

  • Pesto Gnocchi
  • Four Cheese Ravioli
  • Garlic Parmesan air fryer potato wedges
  • Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
close up horizontal image of forked salmon on a white plate

More Air fryer recipes to try!

  • Air fryer pork chops
  • Easy shrimp
  • Air fryer zucchini fries
  • Crispy french fries
  • Air fryer Bacon
  • Steak bites
  • Breaded Air fryer chicken tenders
  • Air fryer chicken thighs
  • Crispy air fryer chicken wings

Recipe Video

Full Recipe Instructions

close up horizontal image of forked salmon on a white plate

  • 2 salmon fillets about 6 oz each
  • 2 tsp rub with love salmon rub (or any other kind you like)
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil

  • Season your salmon fillets with olive oil, pressed garlic, salmon rub, and salt (to taste). I like this local salmon rub, but this salmon rub works well too. To make your own salmon rub, combine 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp thyme, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.

  • If you're using an oven air fryer, line the bottom of the baking sheet with foil. If you're using the basket type do not use foil. Instead, spray the bottom of it with nonstick spray.

  • Bake the salmon at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes if using an oven air fryer. If you're using the basket type, cook for at least 12 minutes and add more time as needed. The cook time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillet. The thicker the salmon, the longer it will take to air-fry. Always make sure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the salmon is at least 145 degrees fahrehiet.

Helpful Recipe Tips

  • Salmon size– Choose pieces of salmon fillet that are similar in size so they cook evenly and finish baking at the same time.
  • Pat it dry– make sure the fillets are blotted dry with a paper towel so that the spices adhere better.
  • Check for doneness– insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to make sure it reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serving– this salmon is best served with starchy sides like creamy mashed potatoes or tortellini alfredo.

Calories: 306 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 34 g | Fat: 18 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 94 mg | Sodium: 75 mg | Potassium: 833 mg | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 68 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 20 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!

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How to Make Salmon in the Air Fryer

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