Air Fryer Salmon - 10 minute recipe

Name: Air Fryer Salmon - 10 minute recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 (6 oz) salmon filets; 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

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This air fryer salmon is seasoned simply with oil, salt and pepper and is cooked in the air fryer until perfectly golden. It is the best way to cook salmon and is an easy weeknight recipe that goes great with your favorite side dishes. Gluten free, paleo, whole30.

Cooked salmon filet on a late next to cooked spinach with a fork next to it.

Air fryer salmon is literally one of the best methods for cooking salmon to perfection every single time. I know that is a lot to claim up front but TRUST ME, it is totally true! Once I started making salmon in the air fryer like this cajun salmon and these salmon patties, I was hooked! I know you will be too.

One of the best parts about making salmon is that it goes with so many things so it is easy to make it a complete meal. We love to serve it with our favorite sides like this roasted asparagus, sautéed spinach or air fryer broccoli.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is the very best way to cook salmon!
Wonderfully crispy yet tender, succulent salmon every single time.
Packed with flavor and nutrition.
Probably one of the easiest recipes for salmon.
It makes a quick and easy protein for dinner you can make in minutes!
Gluten free, paleo, low carb and whole30.

Air fryer salmon on a round white plate with cooked greens with a fork cutting into the salmon.

Ingredients for air fryer salmon

Salmon – fresh, wild caught is best in this recipe, see below for how to cook frozen salmon.

Avocado oil – to brush on the salmon so it get’s perfectly crispy on the outside.

Salt & pepper – to add amazing flavor to the fish

Salmon filets on a white plate with a bowl of salt and pepper and a bowl of oil in front of it with labels over each ingredient.

How To Make Air Fryer Salmon

Rinse the salmon lightly under cold water then pat each filet dry with a clean paper towel.
Brush each filet all over with avocado oil then season each filet well with salt and pepper.
Place the salmon into a preheated air fryer and cook it at 400 degrees F for 9-11 minutes. Note: the cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your salmon filets. A 6 oz salmon filet that is about 1 inch thick will take around 10 minutes to fully cook. Per the recipe card below.

2 raw salmon filets on a whit plate with a bowl of alt and pepper behind it.

2 seasoned, uncooked pieces of salmon in a black air fryer basket.

Ways to serve salmon

Salad – A fresh salad is the perfect side for air fryer salmon. It is light and vibrant and you can easily throw it together while the salmon is cooking. Try it with this easy beet and goat cheese salad or this strawberry kale salad for a light and healthy meal.
Veggies – Salmon, of course goes great with any roasted veggies like roasted mushrooms or zucchini.
Potatoes – We love to serve salmon with a potato side for a heartier meal. Try it with these smashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or oven roasted potatoes and asparagus.

Tips for making salmon in the air fryer

Select salmon filets that are similar in size and thickness so they cook evenly and at the same time. In this recipe I used 2-6 oz salmon filets that were about 1.5 inches thick each.
Make sure to preheat your air fryer, if needed. If your air fryer has a preheat option then make sure you do this since it helps the fried salmon get nice and crispy all around.
Season the salmon well and use a little bit of oil. You want to lightly brush the salmon all over with the oil then season it well, all over with the salt and pepper for perfectly crispy, well flavored salmon.
Space the salmon apart in the air fryer basket. You want to make sure not to over crowd the basket, so place the salmon about 1.5-2 inches apart so it gets nice and crispy all over. If the salmon is touching then some of the sides of it will not crisp up as nicely.
Spray the basket with non-aerosol cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you are using salmon filets that have the skin-on then it may stick to your air fryer basket. So make sure to spray the basket first before adding the salmon so this doesn’t happen.

Close up shot of cooked piece of salmon with pepper on it next to some cooked spinach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best air fryer to buy?

This is a great question and it really depends on a number of factors like, budget, aesthetic, plus how many people you will be cooking for most of the time. I have a family of four and I love the Cosori 5.6 quart air fryer. It is the perfect size for my family and it cleans very well. I have also heard that the Instant Plus Vortex Air Fryer is great!

Can I use frozen salmon in this recipe?

You can use froze salmon, but I really think that fresh salmon delivers the best results. If you are using frozen salmon then make sure to thaw it according to the package instructions then follow these air fryer salmon recipe steps.

Why cook salmon in the air fryer?

It just results in the most perfectly cooked salmon that is flavourful, succulent and tender every time. Using the air fryer to cook salmon is pretty much a foolproof method, especially if you are new to cooking fish.

How long to cook salmon in the air fryer?

This will depend on the size and thickness of your salmon. In general, most salmon will cook between 9-11 minutes. For example, if you are using 6 oz salmon filets that are about 1-1.5 inches thick each then it will take about 10 minutes for them to cook in the air fryer.

How do you store cooked salmon?

You can easily cook and store the salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It reheats nicely in the air fryer at 330 degrees F for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Plate with a cooked golden salmon filet on it next to spinach with another plate of salmon behind it.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Other Salmon Recipes To Try!

I cannot wait you you guys to try this air fryer salmon recipe! It is just so delicious and perfect for a light and fast meal you can make any day of the week. It is also great for meal prep!

Did you try this salmon recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out!