The Easiest Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Looking for a quick and delicious way to cook salmon? This super easy air fryer salmon recipe only takes 15 minutes to make and is packed with flavor. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

This air fryer salmon recipe is one of my go-to quick and easy dinners. It's perfect for those times I don't really feel like cooking. And you can make it as simple as you like or dress it up with whatever flavors you're craving.

Ingredients

This salmon recipe is so simple there are only a few required ingredients.

• Salmon filets - Look for sustainable wild-caught salmon for the best quality. Fresh or frozen salmon will work for air frying. Frozen salmon can be thawed in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of cold water in about half an hour.
• Oil - I like to use avocado oil because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point. You can use a food brush or an avocado oil spray (look for a spray with no additives like this one). You can also use olive oil.
• Salt and pepper - Sea salt and fresh ground pepper are the minimum, but you can always add other spices if you like.
• Lemon zest and wedges - Be sure to use fresh lemon zest. A rasp-style citrus zester makes it fast and easy to zest the lemon.

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes or as long as your directions state. If you have an airfryer model that only goes up to 390°F, that is close enough for this recipe.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Brush or spray with oil on both sides, then season with salt and pepper. Zest the lemon over the salmon pieces.

Place the salmon skin side down in your air fryer basket or tray and place in the air fryer. Cook for 7 - 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. You can also test this with a meat thermometer - it should read 145°F per the FDA.

Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve lemon wedges.

Variations

Starting with this simple method, you can amp up the flavor with these variations.

• BBQ rub - This is my current favorite way to change up salmon. The sweet and spicy flavors work so well with this fish!
• Honey garlic glaze
• Mustard and maple syrup sauce
• Garlic butter herb sauce - I always use this one from my air fryer lobster recipe.

Serving suggestions

I love the simplicity of fish with salad. This air fryer salmon is perfect with your favorite salad, or used in a salmon cobb salad. Just arrange the salmon on a platter with romaine lettuce, avocado chunks, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, blue cheese and cherry tomatoes.

Try a salmon bowl layered with cooked rice and roasted vegetables. Or serve with asparagus cooked in the air fryer.

Side dishes

For a more filling meal, load up on the side dishes! Cook baked potatoes in the air fryer before cooking the salmon. Serve them simply topped with butter, or mash them with herbed cream cheese.

Or serve it up with some pasta. Creamy fettuccine alfredo makes a great pairing, as does the basil and garlic flavor of angel hair with pesto sauce. Both are quick and easy to put together for dinner.

There are so many sides that are perfect with salmon, the possibilities are endless.

How to store leftovers

Leftover cooked salmon can be stored in the fridge for 3 - 4 days. Cold salmon is perfect for lunch - just add to a salad as suggested above.

You can reheat it in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until it's warmed through.