Easy Air Fryer Salmon + Video

Need a quick and easy meal for weeknights or lunch, ready in less than 15 minutes that the whole family loves? Then look no further that these perfectly cooked Air Fryer Salmon fillets.

Yeap cooking salmon in the Air Fryer gives juicy, flaky and tender Air Fryer fish fillets that are perfectly crusted on the outside. Even better you only needed to use the smallest amount of oil or cooking spray (we’re talking just a spritz folks). So a super nutritious meal, low in calories that is not only good for you but tasted good too. And as good as this Teriyaki Salmon or Salmon Croquettes.

This really may be one of the easiest dinners you will ever make. You only need 2 basic ingredients – aka salmon fillets and spices and you are good to go. Minimal prep and minimal clean up makes this recipe #mykindacooking.

This is great for easy weeknight suppers, brunches, lunch boxes, thanksgiving, Christmas and other festive gatherings, as well as picnic and potlucks.

Why You’ll Love It

• Family friendly – it is loved by the whole family.
• Cooks perfectly  – flaky on the inside and crisp on the outside.
• Budget-friendly – this is an affordable dish that’s easy on the wallet.
• Pantry Meal – make this air fryer fish with a handful of common pantry staples.
• Great for meal prep and for a quick weekday lunch or supper.

Tools Needed

 Are you ready to learn how easy it is to make tasty Salmon in Air Fryer? Gather up your ingredients and let’s get started…..

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon

1. Preheat air fryer to 350F / 180C.
2. Lightly spray salmon fillets with some cooking spray and sprinkle on the paprika, ground cardamom and salt (you can add black pepper if you prefer).
3. Place salmon fillets in air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching.
4. Cook for 8-12 minutes, to your desired level of doneness.

Air Fried Salmon Tips

A few tips on how to air fry salmon well.

• For best results, remember to flip the salmon fillets over halfway through the cook time.
• Make sure not to over crowd your basket when frying salmon fillets, so there is enough space for the air to circulate well.
• Make sure the salmon fillets are of similar thickness so that they cook at the same rate. Thicker ones will take a little longer to cook.

• Adding a squeeze of fresh citrus juice, such as orange or lemon, gives the salmon a lovely bright flavour.
• Insert an instant-read digital thermometer into the middle of the fillets. A reading of 120F to 130F for medium-rare or 135°F to 145°F for more cooked.
• The ground cardamom makes this a great dish for the Christmas holiday season, but you can use other spices as you like.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting out with less cook time, checking for doneness, and then adding more time as needed.

Recipe Variations

• I love trying this with some homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.
• Try using various dry rubs and have fun experimenting with different flavours such as Poultry Seasoning, Cajun and Creole, BBQ, Herbs de Provence, and Harissa.

Meal Prep and Prep Ahead

Yep, Air Fried Salmon is a great recipe to prep ahead.

Prep Ahead – This is a great meal prep solution. Cook as directed, then store in the fridge or freezer and reheat when needed. 

Store – This recipe will store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below for how to freeze this;

• Transfer the cooled fillet to airtight storage containers or Ziploc freezer bags. 
• If using bags, be sure to squeeze out the excess air.
• Label and store flat inside the freezer for up to 3 months. 
• Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before warming and serving.

FAQs

What is the Correct Temperature for Cooking Salmon?

The cook time will vary based on the thickness and the size of your salmon fillets. Check on the level of doneness halfway through the cook time, and then adjust as needed.

Cooked salmon is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 145F. It is important to always check the internal temperature using a thermometer inserted into the thickest section of the salmon fillet.

How Will I know When My Salmon Is Cooked?

Simple. Insert an instant-read digital thermometer into the middle of the fillets. A reading of 120F to 130F for medium-rare or 135F to 145F for more cooked fillets.

Alternatively, Salmon flesh will firm up when it’s cooked – so keep an eye on this and carefully touch the top to test for firmness. You can also use a fork and flake the middle part of the salmon. If it flakes easily, it is done. If not, then it needs a little more time

How Much Protein is in Salmon?

Salmon is one of the healthiest sources of protein you can find. Just one 4-ounce serving contains a whopping 26 grams of protein.

Can I Make Air Fryer Salmon and Asparagus?

I think that salmon and asparagus is such an amaaaaazing combination. Not only does it taste fantastic, it also one of the healthiest meals around. And did you know it is possible to cook salmon and asparagus in the air fryer at the same time? Yeap.

1. Simply place your salmon fillet and asparagus spears together in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch.
2. Lightly coat with cooking spray and then cook at 375F for 10-12 minutes, turning the food halfway through.

Folks, this is a truly fast, easy and simple one-pot meal!

If you are cooking multiple portions, you may find it easier to cook the salmon and asparagus separately. To make a batch of delicious air fryer asparagus, just set the air fryer to 400F and cook the spears for 10 minutes.

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

• Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos.
• Air Fryer Salmon Tacos.
• Crispy Golden Air Fryer Fish. This is seriously crispy.
• Air Fryer Salmon Croquettes.
• Air Fryer Shrimp Po Boy.
• Air Fryer Blackened Salmon.
• Teriyaki Salmon <= on of my favs.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are just 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving.

Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Video

Originally published November 2018.

Thank you for reading my AirFryer Salmon recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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