Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
A simple and delicious Air Fryer Salmon recipe that delivers perfectly cooked, flaky, and flavorful salmon fillets with a blend of spices and a hint of lemon. This quick and healthy meal is ready in under 20 minutes and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
- Author: Kai
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Salmon
- 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
Additional
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Dry the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This helps the seasoning stick and ensures even cooking.
- Season the Salmon: In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if desired. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over both salmon fillets. Drizzle lemon juice on top to add brightness and enhance flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer temperature to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes. This step ensures the salmon starts cooking right away when placed inside.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the salmon is opaque, flaky, and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the air fryer and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side. Perfect accompaniments include rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- Check salmon thickness to adjust cooking time: thinner fillets may need closer to 8 minutes, thicker ones up to 10 minutes.
- For a spicier kick, increase cayenne pepper to ½ tsp or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use skin-on salmon for better texture; skin helps hold the fillet together during cooking.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, salmon can be baked at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes.
- Let cooked salmon rest for a couple of minutes before serving to retain juices and flavor.
Keywords: air fryer salmon, easy salmon recipe, healthy salmon, quick dinner, low fat seafood