Air Fryer Salmon Recipe (quic

Name: Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1, 8-10 ounce salmon filet; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper (to taste); Fresh lemon juice (to finish)

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If you’ve ever been intimidated to cook a piece of salmon, I have the most brilliant, fail-proof hack: put it in the air fryer. I’m not kidding! it is so fast, so easy, mess-free, and will leave your salmon with a lovely crust on the outside and a tender, flaky texture on the inside.

01 Delicious Air Fryer Salmon

02 Which Air Fryer is the Best?

03 Why Salmon in the Air Fryer?

04 Ingredients for Salmon in the Air Fryer

05 How To Make The Best 10-Minute Air Fryer Salmon

06 What to Serve with Air Fried Salmon

07 How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

08 FAQS About This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Salmon filet being flaked by a fork on a plate with a medley of veggies.

Delicious Air Fryer Salmon

Y’all, I was so hesitant to embrace the Air Fryer. I’m actually a minimalist in the kitchen. I want tools that do a LOT, and I don’t have a ton of space for storage. BUT, because it’s my job to research recipe hacks for you, I took the Air Fryer plunge, and I have to tell you: I’ve changed my tune.

The air fryer is now my go-to gadget for cooking salmon, steak, wings, chicken strips, and even cookies.

Which Air Fryer is the Best?

This gadget, especially the 5.8 quart Cosori Air Fryer (I have the white one), is absolutely fantastic. I’ve tested several of the top-rated air fryers (including Ninja brand and Instant Pot) and the Cosori is my favorite. It’s easy to use, slick on my counter, and easy to clean.

Why Salmon in the Air Fryer?

Besides the fact that cooking salmon in the air fryer is super quick and convenient, it also creates the most delicious texture. The outside of the salmon is nice and crisp while the inside is flaky and buttery …YUM!

Ingredients for Salmon in the Air Fryer

Air fryer salmon ingredients on a grey and white marble surface.

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 (8-10 ounce) salmon filet
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh lemon juice, to finish

Ingredient Modifications and Variations

Amp up the flavor – this salmon recipe is simple and delicious as-is, but if you’re looking to amp things up a little bit, feel free to smear a sauce (or sprinkle seasoning) over top of the salmon filet before it heads into the air fryer. The sauces from these recipes: herb crusted salmon, cilantro lime salmon, BBQ salmon kabobs would all be really excellent pairings for your air fryer salmon.
Make it a full meal – if you’re looking to maximize efficiency, turn your air fryer salmon into a full meal by following the veggie directions in the salmon portion of our 3 Full Air Fryer Dinners article.

How To Make The Best 10-Minute Air Fryer Salmon

Olive oil being drizzled oven a filet of salmon.

Salmon filet being placed in the air fryer.

Prep – Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Drizzle with EVOO and season – drizzle the olive oil over the salmon filet and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Air fry – add the salmon filet, skin side down, to the air fryer basket, and cook for 10 minutes.
Finish with lemon juice, then serve – finish the salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice, serve, and enjoy!

How to Know When Salmon is Cooked

Salmon is truly an easy fish to cook (especially when you’re cooking it in the air fryer!), but there definitely is a sweet spot when it comes to doneness. Salmon that hasn’t been cooked quite long enough can be raw on the inside (which is delicious in a sushi roll, but maybe not what you’re wanting here), and salmon that is overcooked tends to be dry, firm, and chalky (also not what we want!).

All that to say, if you’re new to salmon, you may be wondering how you’ll know when your filet is perfectly cooked and ready to serve.

Here’s the test: if your salmon is semi-firm to the touch (press on the thickest portion with two fingers) and flakes easily with a fork, then it’s perfect!

What to Serve with Air Fried Salmon

Serve your air fryer salmon alongside any veggie and starchy side combo that you love! Below, you’ll find our best recommendations for all kinds of perfect accompaniments.

Two plates with cooked salmon filets and a medley of vegetables on the plate.

Salads

Veggie Sides

Starchy Sides

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store any leftover air fryer salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored this way, it’ll last for 3-5 days. To reheat, either…

Pop the salmon the microwave for 30-seconds to 1 minute.
Pan-sear in olive oil for 3ish minutes on each side until it’s warmed through.
Put it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Put it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Another really great option is to enjoy your leftover salmon cold in a salmon salad (just sub in salmon for the tuna in this tuna salad recipe) or on top of one of the salads listed above.

Cooked salmon filet on a plate with a fork flaking a bite of salmon. There is also a medley of vegetables on the plate.

FAQS About This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Q Do you have to thaw salmon before air frying?

While you can air fry from frozen, for the best results, we actually recommend thawing the salmon first. This will give the salmon the very best texture and perfect flaky doneness.

Q Do you have to flip salmon in the air fryer?

Nope, you don’t have to flip your salmon in the air fryer! You’ll set it in there skin side down, let it cook for 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Q Does air frying salmon dry it out?

If you’re following the time guidelines here, your salmon will absolutely not dry out in the air fryer!

a salmon burger on a bun with lettuce and green goddess dressing

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