Air Fryer Salmon Recipe (quick and easy)

Name: Air Fryer Salmon Recipe (quick and easy)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets ((skin on or skinless)); 1/4 teaspoon salt ((or to taste)); 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper ((or to taste)); 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons olive oil; cooking oil spray

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This easy air fryer salmon recipe is flaky, juicy, and seasoned just right. It’s full of flavor and cooks in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant dinner for two.

If you’ve been searching for how to cook salmon in the air fryer, keep reading below for step-by-step instructions.

Perfectly seasoned and cooked salmon topped with fresh parsley in a black air fryer basket.

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Recipe Video:

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy - This air fried salmon cooks in just 7 to 10 minutes, making it perfect for 30-minute weeknight dinners.
Full of Flavor - This recipe starts with a flavorful seasoning blend that is rubbed onto the salmon. The salmon is then cooked in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the perfect temperature for developing great flavor.
Perfect Texture - The heat from the air fryer creates a light crisp top on the salmon while keeping the inside flaky and juicy. This is definitely one of my favorite ways to cook salmon and it has become a weekly staple in my house.

Air fryer salmon in a black air fryer basket forked open showing the perfectly cooked flaky inside.

Q&A:

How long does salmon take in the air fryer?

Most salmon fillets cook in 7 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you flip salmon in the air fryer?

No, cook the salmon skin side down and leave in place until done.

Can I cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?

Absolutely! You will need to add additional cook time, usually an extra 8 to 10 minutes.

What temperature should salmon be cooked to?

The USDA recommends that fish be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Equipment Needed:

Air Fryer

Ingredients (Full recipe located in recipe card below):

Air Fryer Salmon recipe ingredients in various dishes on a white marble surface: salmon filets, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, cooking oil spray.

Salmon Fillets - Skinless or skin on.
Salt - Feel free to salt to taste.
Pepper - Balances the richness of the salmon.
Onion Powder - Adds a mild onion flavor that balances out the garlic powder.
Garlic Powder - Add a savory depth of flavor.
Smoked Paprika - Can use regular paprika if needed.
Brown Sugar - Adds caramelization to the salmon
Italian Seasoning - Or your favorite herb seasoning blend of choice.
Olive Oil - Or your cooking oil of choice
Cooking Oil Spray - Used to spray the bottom of the air fryer basket to help prevent the salmon from sticking.

Instructions:

Mix the seasonings and olive oil: To a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and Italian seasoning.

Olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and onion powder in a light gray bowl.

Olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and onion powder blended into an olive oil seasoning mixture with a red and black basting brush in a light gray bowl.

Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and brush the salmon all over the tops and sides with the oil seasoning mixture.

Salmon fillets being patted dry with a paper towel on an off-white plate.

Salmon fillets being coated with an olive oil seasoning mixture with a red and black basting brush on an off-white plate.

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (this takes about 5 minutes).

Cooking oil being sprayed onto an air fryer tray inside an air fryer basket.

Black air fryer panel with a silver dial set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 minutes.

Once the air fryer is ready, add the salmon to the air fryer in a single layer (skin side down if using skin on salmon), and cook 7 to 10 minutes depending on how thick your salmon is and your desired doneness. Salmon should flake with a fork when done (no flipping required).

Seasoned salmon fillets in a black air fryer basket ready to be cooked.

Salmon fillets in a black air fryer basket perfectly seasoned and cooked.

Once done, remove the salmon from the air fryer and enjoy with your favorite side dishes.

Salmon fillet sliding off a black silicone spatula onto a bed of mashed potatoes next to a side of green beans in an off-white bowl.

Air Fryer Salmon From Frozen Instructions:

To cook this recipe from frozen, follow the recipe as directed and add an additional 8 to 10 minutes of cook time. The cook time will depend on how thick the frozen salmon is. I use the frozen wild caught salmon from Costco and it turns out great!

What To Serve With Air Fryer Salmon:

This salmon pairs well with many simple side dishes. Here are some ideas:

Starches
- Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes

Vegetables
- Easy Cucumber Salad
- Quick Air Fryer Asparagus
- Stove Top Frozen Green Beans Recipe
- Easy Baked Potatoes Slices
- Easy Canned Green Beans With Bacon Recipe (pictured below)
- Salmon also goes great on top of salads or in a bowl with rice, sliced avocado and fresh vegetables to make an easy salmon bowl.

Cooked salmon fillet on top of mashed potatoes next to a side of green beans in an off-white bowl.

Recipe Variations And Substitutions:

Try switching up the flavor by using lemon pepper seasoning and finishing the salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
For a bolder option, use Cajun seasoning for a flavorful twist.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
To Reheat:
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed.
- Microwave: Heat in the microwave 15 seconds at a time until warm throughout.

Pro Tips:

Pat the salmon dry before adding the olive oil and seasonings so the outside can develop a tasty crust when cooking.
The exact air fryer salmon time depends on the thickness of your fillet, but most cook in 7 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don’t overcook your salmon. Salmon is easy to overcook, so make sure to check on it after 5 minutes of cooking.
Preheat the air fryer for the most accurate cooking time and best texture and flavor.
If you would like to cook more than two salmon fillets, this recipe can easily be doubled to 4 salmon fillets with the same cook time listed in the recipe. Just be sure to space the salmon fillets half an inch apart while cooking for the best texture.

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Comments

Liane says

March 16, 2026 at 4:06 pm

This is a home run! I’m entering the hot season here and I just don’t want to turn on the oven. And I was getting tired of the same baked salmon. I’m going to defrost mine first next time since cooking from frozen made this white stuff come out on the top. I’m sure it’s harmless but it is soooooo ugly. The parsley makes it pretty. I did not see it in the recipe but it was in the photo.