Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salmon is a quick and easy way to cook crispy salmon, with lovely seared edges and a perfectly tender flaky center. Ready in less than 20 minutes total, this healthy low carb & low-calorie meal couldn’t be easier to make!

All you need is a few simple ingredients, an air fryer, and a few easy steps to follow for this simple weeknight dinner. Plus, no smelling your entire house up like salmon!

You know I love using my air fryer! It’s so simple to use, and the fish is moist and delicious! It’s perfect for easy family meals; just serve with a nice roasted vegetable and you have a perfect meal! If you love your air fryer as much I love mine, be sure to try my Southwestern Egg Rolls and Air Fryer Tofu.

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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Why cook salmon in an air fryer?

The air fryer makes the most consistently good and easy to make salmon I’ve ever had.

The air fryer heats up quickly, and the salmon is tender and succulent, and the whole process is hands-off.

Clean-up is a breeze! The smell stays in the air fryer. No greasy splatters on the stove-top.

How to defrost frozen salmon

The night before you want to cook it, place the frozen salmon in the refrigerator while it’s still in the plastic bag.

If you forget to defrost it the night before, you can still quick thaw it under cold water in an hour or less. Here’s how:

1. Keep the salmon in the sealed plastic bag. Thawing unwrapped fish in water makes it waterlogged.
2. Use only cold tap water, or water that’s a bit cooler than room temperature, to thaw as this minimizes the risk of bacterial growth.
3. Place the wrapped frozen salmon in a large clean sink or a big bowl and cover with cool tap water. And, place a small heavy plate on top of the fish to keep it submerged so that all parts defrost at the same rate.
4. Make sure to change out the water every 20 or 30 minutes until the fish is fully thawed, so that the water stays cool.
5. Use the thawed fish immediately to ensure best results.

Pro tips for perfectly cooked salmon

Make sure the salmon fillets are somewhat even in size for even cooking.

Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to cook them in batches. If this is the case, you can cook the thicker ones together if necessary.

Preheat

The air fryer should be nice and hot before you place the seasoned salmon inside to cook.

I recommend doing this to allow the salmon to cook evenly, and it speeds up the cooking time and gives a more crisped browned edge to the salmon.

What temperature should I set my air fryer for salmon?

I have found that 380° F is the perfect temperature to cook salmon in the air fryer.

Prep the fish

While the air fryer is preheating, prep the salmon.

You can remove the skin if you’d like, but it’s not necessary to do so at this point. The skin slips off easily after the salmon is cooked. I find that a {affiliate link} fish spatula really helps to get the fish out or the air fryer, and helps remove the skin easily.

Pat the piece(s) of fish dry with paper towels. This helps to create a clean, dry base for the seasoning, and helps to promote even browning.

Coat the salmon with a bit of olive oil. Rub the oil all over the fish using your hands (my preferred method) or using a {affiliate link} pastry brush.

Now sprinkle on the seasonings and rub the spices in for best flavor.

Seasoning Variations

I’ve been loving The Spice House’s Gateway to the North seasoning on all my fish lately. That’s what you see on my salmon in the pictures.

Potlatch {affiliate link} is always a classic on fish. As is Old Bay seasoning. Mesquite spice will add a nice smoky flavor.

Really, any tasty spice blend will be great here. Try taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Summer Grill Spice.

Line the air fryer

I like to place a piece of parchment paper down under the fish.

It makes for easier clean-up, makes it so the fish doesn’t stick to the basket, and allows me to get the fish out of the hot air fryer really easily. The parchment acts like a sling, and all you have to do is pick up opposite sides and pull the whole thing out.

Just tear the parchment paper slightly larger than the piece of fish. Or, if you have those precut air fryer parchment papers, use those!

Don’t over crowd your basket

Make sure there’s enough space in your air fryer for the air to circulate around the salmon. Overcrowding the air fryer can result in the salmon not being cooked evenly, and not being crispy.

Air fry the salmon in two batches if necessary.

How long should I leave my salmon in the air fryer?

The exact time to cook the fish can range depending on the thickness of the fish and the brand of air fryer you have. But on average, expect the fish to cook in about 12 minutes.

Do you have to flip salmon in the air fryer?

The nice thing here is that you don’t have to flip it all. Just start with it skin side down, and let it cook away in there!

How do you know when salmon is done in air fryer?

As you cook salmon more often, you’ll feel more comfortable checking it with a couple of forks.

Gently press open a thick part of the salmon and look between the two pieces. It should be a consistent even light pink color and should flake apart easily.

You can also use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. According to the FDA, it should be 145° F. 

How to store leftover salmon

Cooked salmon is a great option for meal prep. You can easily add it to a salad like my Salmon Caesar salad for easy and quick lunches and dinners.

It will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also freeze the pieces of cooked salmon for up to 3 months, just thaw in the fridge overnight and then warm until heated through.

Serve the salmon in these delicious Teriyaki Salmon Bowls.

Can I reheat cooked salmon?

Yes, salmon, or any leftover fish, can be reheated in the air fryer. I also like salmon cold from the fridge.

Simply place the fish in the air fryer basket, set the air fryer to 360º F, and gently cook the salmon for 3-5 minutes.

What to serve with fried salmon?

• Fresh salads are a great accompaniment to a piece of this perfectly cooked salmon. Try it with Mexican Corn Salad or Summer Salad 
• Grains like rice, couscous, barley, and farro all make excellent sides to salmon. Top a Winter Grain Bowl, Farro bowl, Barley with mushrooms, or Wild Rice Salad with salmon.
• Lentils make a delicious protein filled meal as well.  Lentils with winter vegetables or crispy roasted lentils are great options.
• I love to serve salmon with just simple veggies for an easy and healthy meal. I’ve served my salmon in the pictures with Air Fryer Asparagus. Air Fryer Butternut Squash is another favorite of mine.
• Serve this salmon over my Rice Cooker Meal for an easy to make dinner!
• Check out my Beet Berries Barley Salad for a great side for this cooked salmon.

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