• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pinch Me Good

  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick and Easy Salads
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
    • Dressings And Sauces
    • Healthy Desserts
  • Meal Prep
  • How To’s
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Prep
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Desserts
  • How To’s
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • Cooked egg and bacon pizzas on a lined baking sheet.
      Healthy Breakfast Pizza – With 2 Ingredient Dough
    • Cooked meatloaf with salad on a with plate with a fork.
      Easy Healthy Ground Chicken Meatloaf
    • Bowl filled with cooked rice and unbranded air fryer chicken bites with parsley on them, with another bowl of it behind it.
      Easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites – 4 Ingredients
    • Slice of cottage cheese egg bake with veggies in it on a plate with a fork on the plate with it.
      Easy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Bake
    • Layered bark bars with strawberries on a white plate with brown specks with more behind it.
      Viral Chocolate Strawberry Bark – 4 Ingredients
    • Plate filled with rice and green beans topped with air fryer salmon with more behind it.
      Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon – 6 Ingredients
    • Mixed chicken salad in a white bowl with wooden serving spoons in the bowl.
      15-Minute Rotisserie Chicken Salad – Easy Recipe
    • Cut scores bars on top of parchment paper with a knife in front of them.
      Easy Frozen Protein S’mores Bars – 5 Ingredients
    • Cheesy cottage cheese Mac and cheese in a white pan with a wood spoon in it and a blue and white towel in front of it.
      Easy Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
    • Delicious bbq covered cooked chicken over rice with green beans on a plate with more behind it.
      BBQ Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs – Easy Recipe
    • Kale pomegranate salad in a white salad bowl with wood serving spoon in the bowl and a cut pomegranate behind it.
      Easy Winter Kale Pomegranate Salad – 10 minutes
    • Red square tin filled with pieces of chocolate peppermint bark with candy canes and crushed peppermint around it.
      Easy Chocolate Peppermint Bark – 3 Ingredients
    Pinch Me Good! » Air Fryer Recipes » Easy Air Fryer Salmon- 15 Minutes

    Easy Air Fryer Salmon- 15 Minutes

    July 28, 2022 by Amy Estes 2 Comments

    353 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This succulent air fryer salmon is seasoned simply with oil, salt, and pepper and is cooked in the air fryer until golden, juicy, and delicious. It is the best way to cook salmon that comes out perfectly every time in just 15 minutes! It makes the best low-carb, healthy protein that goes with so many other dishes.

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

    Salmon is one of my favorite proteins and cooking it in the air fryer is my go-to, foolproof method for cooking it perfectly every time. I have shared a lot of great air fryer salmon recipes with you all like this air fryer cajun salmon , air fryer salmon bites, air fryer bang bang salmon, and these air fryer salmon patties.

    Now, I am finally sharing my absolute favorite salmon recipe which is so simple and is the one I make the most often. I love that it only requires a few ingredients and cooks until wonderfully juicy, succulent, flavorful, and flaky in about 10 minutes!

    Plus, it is packed with protein, vitamins, and healthy fat! Making it a wonderful addition to any meal!

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

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Simple and easy
    • Falvorful, juicy salmon every time!
    • Quick – the salmon cooks in about 10 minutes!
    • Versatile – you can easily switch up the seasoning and use whatever kind you like.
    • Healthy – this recipe is packed with protein, healthy fat, and vitamins.

    Air fryer salmon ingredients

    • Salmon – fresh, wild-caught salmon filets work best in this recipe.
    • Avocado oil – to brush on the salmon so it gets 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

    1. Prepare the 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.
    2. Cook: 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.
    3. Serve: enjoy this salmon right away with a squeeze of lemon along with your favorite side dishes.
    2 raw salmon filets on a whit plate with a bowl of alt and pepper behind it.
    Season the salmon
    2 seasoned, uncooked pieces of salmon in a black air fryer basket.
    Add to air fryer
    Cooked salmon filets in an air fryer basket.
    Cook
    Piece cooked fish on a plate with cooked spinach.

    Ways to serve air fried salmon

    • Salad – A fresh salad is the perfect side to serve with this recipe since 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 healthy weeknight meal.
    • Veggies – All fish, of course, goes great with any roasted veggies like roasted mushrooms or zucchini.
    • Potatoes – We love to serve this 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

    1. 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.
    2. Season it well. You want to lightly brush the salmon all over with the oil then season it well, on both sides with the salt and pepper for perfectly crispy, well-flavored salmon.
    3. Don’t over crowd the air fryer. Place the salmon about 1.5-2 inches apart so it gets nice and crispy all over. If it is touching then some of the sides of it will not crisp up as nicely.
    4. Spray the basket with non-aerosol cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you are using salmon filets that have the skin on them they may stick to your air fryer basket. So make sure to spray the basket first before adding the fish 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, aesthetics, 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 you cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?

    You can use frozen 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 flavorful, 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 long will cooked salmon keep?

    You can easily cook and store it 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

    • Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
    • Chicken Sausage and Veggies
    • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
    • Amazing Air Fryer Whole Chicken
    • Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

    Other Salmon Recipes To Try

    • Quick and Easy Salmon Salad
    • Sheet Pan Salmon With Green Beans and Potatoes
    • Easy Salmon Tacos
    • Grilled Salmon Kabobs

    I cannot wait for 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 recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Air fryer salmon on a plate with sautéed spinach with a fork on the plate.

    Air Fryer Salmon – 10 minute recipe


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Amy
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x
    • Diet: Low Calorie
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This Air fryer Salmon is seasoned simply with oil, salt and pepper and cooked in the air fryer until perfectly golden. It is the best way to cook salmon and it goes with so many sides for a quick and easy weeknight meal any day of the week! Gluten free, paleo, whole30 and low-carb. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 (6 oz) salmon filets
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Rinse the salmon lightly under cold water then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. 
    2. Brush each salmon filet all over with the avocado oil then season each piece all over with salt and pepper. 
    3. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray, if desired to prevent sticking. You could also use an air fryer liner. Place the seasoned salmon into the air fryer basket in an even layer (about 1.5-2 inches apart) and close and cook the salmon at 400 degrees F for 9-11 minutes.  See notes about cooking times
    4. Once the salmon is done, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite healthy sides. 

    Equipment

    Air Fryer

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    1. Make sure to select salmon that is even in size all around so it cooks at the same time. 
    2. Air fryer salmon cooking times will very based on your air fryer and the size of your salmon. For 2 6 oz salmon filets that are about 1-1.5 inches thick, it takes about 10 minutes for them to cook. If you are using 5 oz salmon filets then it will take about 9 minutes to cook them. 
    3. You can store this air fryer salmon after it has been cooked and cooled, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Easily reheat it in the air fryer or the microwave. 
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

    « Zucchini Patties with sweet potato – Air Fryer Recipe
    Stuffed Pork Tenderloin – Healthy and Easy »

    Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Air Fryer Recipes, Dairy Free, Favorite Summer Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Spring Recipes, Kid-Friendly, Low-Carb, Main Dishes, Paleo, Whole30

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melanie

      October 22, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Salmon isn’t difficult, but this recipe makes it SO easy it’s ridiculous! And the air fryer makes it so much quicker than using the oven, both to warm it up and to do the actual cooking. I go to this recipe every time I cook salmon now, and it’s delicious every time.

      Reply
      • Amy Estes

        November 4, 2023 at 8:31 pm

        Hi Melanie, thank you! We love salmon in the air fryer too!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there,
    I'm Amy and I'm so excited to share my best healthy recipes and tips with you. I hope I can inspire you to eat better, feel better, and get back in the kitchen. Read More…

    Amy Estes: View My Blog Posts

    Search recipes:

    Most Popular

    Mixe kale salad in a white salad bowl with wooden serving spoons in the bowl.

    Easy Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Best Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – with black beans

    Eggplant Meatballs with mushrooms and garlic

    The Best Healthy Turkey Meatloaf – Gluten Free

    Best Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins – Healthy

    two grey plates filled with arugula salad topped with crispy breaded chicken breast

    Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast – 15 Minutes

    Round, white salad bowl filled with roasted butternut squash salad with beets, nuts and cheese with wood salad serving spoons in the bowl and a green linen in front of it.

    BEST Butternut Squash Salad – With Roasted Beets

    Best Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

    Healthy Fall Favorites

    Best Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets – Easy Recipe

    Cooked san Marzano tomato sauce in a white pan topped with basil with a wood spoon in the pan.

    Best Simple San Marzano Tomato Sauce – 20 Minutes

    Everything bagel bites in a bowl with cream cheese spread on one of them.

    Easy Homemade Air Fryer Mini Bagels – Gluten Free

    Pouring yellow dressing over a kale and quinoa salad with pomegranate seeds and sliced red onion on it.

    Must Make Chopped Kale Salad With Quinoa

    The Best Easy Air Fryer Carrots

    Stuffed pork tenderloin medallions on a bed of greens on a white plate.

    Stuffed Pork Tenderloin – Healthy and Easy

    Air Fryer Pork loin – Juicy and flavorful

    Bund cake with icing on a plate with a fork with a pieces of cake on it with another piece of cake on a plate behind it.

    Pumpkin Spice Mini Bundt Cakes – Gluten Free

    Search more Recipes

    Search more recipes!

    Footer

    As Seen On

    As Seen On

    CONTACT | PRIVACY POLICY

    Cooked salmon filets in an air fryer basket.
    Piece cooked fish on a plate with cooked spinach.
    Close up shot of cooked piece of salmon with pepper on it next to some cooked spinach.
    Cooked salmon filet on a round white plate next to sautéed greens with a another plate of salmon and a stripped towel behind it.
    Plate with a cooked golden salmon filet on it next to spinach with another plate of salmon behind it.
    Cooked salmon filet on a late next to cooked spinach with a fork next to it.
    Air fryer salmon on a round white plate with cooked greens with a fork cutting into the salmon.
    Air fryer salmon on a plate with sautéed spinach with a fork on the plate.