If you’ve ever wanted to make salmon taste like it came straight from a high-end restaurant without the fuss, meet your new secret weapon: the air fryer. It makes the Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon to ever grace your plate!
We’re talking perfectly crispy edges, tender, buttery flakes, and a dish so good you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the oven. The best part? It’s all done in under 15 minutes. Whether your salmon is fresh or frozen, for a hectic weeknight or a laid-back Sunday, cooking salmon has never been this simple.
Jump to:
- Why I Keep Coming Back to Air Fryer Salmon
- What You Need for The Best Air Fryer Salmon
- Fresh or Frozen? No Problem
- Wild-Caught Salmon vs. Farm-Raised Salmon
- How to Make the Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon
- Top Tip
- Serving Ideas
- How To Store Air Fryer Salmon
- How To Reheat Salmon
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Time to Dig In
- More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
- Recipe
- ???? Comments
Why I Keep Coming Back to Air Fryer Salmon
Sometimes, you just need something quick and simple. That’s why this easy air fryer salmon recipe is in regular rotation at my place. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Best Damn Oven Baked Salmon. But, when there aren’t enough hours in the day, the air fryer swoops in to save the day.
The outside crisps up like it’s been pan-fried, but the inside stays melt-in-your-mouth tender. Plus, you can throw it together with whatever seasonings you’ve got lying around. A little garlic and paprika today, maybe a sweet maple glaze tomorrow — this salmon never gets old.
One of my favorite things about air fryer recipes is if you forget to pull it from the freezer in time… No worries! Toss it in frozen, and it still comes out like a dream. Magic.
What You Need for The Best Air Fryer Salmon
- Salmon filets (6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)
- Butter (or olive oil)
- Salt & pepper
- Paprika (regular or smoked—both are awesome)
- Garlic powder
- Lemon wedges for squeezing on top
Even more flavors:
- Maple-Mustard Glaze: Brush with maple syrup and mustard for something sticky-sweet.
- Honey-Dijon Glaze: A little honey, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce for that sweet-savory punch.
- Cajun Rub: Swap the paprika for Cajun seasoning if you like a little heat.
Fresh or Frozen? No Problem
Forgot to thaw your frozen salmon? Happens to the best of us. Check out my guide, How to Defrost Salmon (Do’s and Don’ts), for safely defrosting fish.
Wild-Caught Salmon vs. Farm-Raised Salmon
While they both taste just as delicious, wild-caught salmon has a fresher, more robust flavor than farm-raised salmon. This is because wild-caught salmon feed on natural diets in their natural habitat, while farm-raised salmon are fed processed diets and kept in contained environments.
How to Make the Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Let it heat up for about 5 minutes—trust me, this step makes all the difference for crispy edges.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Moisture = soggy fish, and nobody wants that.
- Brush the filets with melted butter or olive oil, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Air fry skin-side down for 10 minutes at 390°F. If you’re cooking frozen filets, or depending on the thickness of your salmon, follow the two-step method mentioned earlier.
The salmon’s done when it hits an internal temperature of 145°F (or 135°F if you like it medium — just let it rest for a few minutes to come up to temp).
Top Tip
If your salmon has skin, cook it skin-side down. Not only does it help protect the fish, but the skin crisps up into a crunchy little bonus if you’re into that sort of thing.
Serving Ideas
I love serving this salmon with a big squeeze of fresh lemon and a handful of herbs. Think dill or parsley. It’s also super delicious with air fryer brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or a side of instant pot fluffy rice. Flake any leftovers on a salad, throw them in tacos, or spread some on a bagel with cream cheese.
How To Store Air Fryer Salmon
Here’s how to make sure leftover salmon stays tasty the next day (helloooo meal prep!):
- Fridge: One of the easiest ways is to store your piece of salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight before reheating for the best texture.
How To Reheat Salmon
- Cold: Cold salmon is underrated. Throw it over greens or a grain bowl, and you’ve got yourself a next-level lunch.
- Air Fryer: 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Microwave: Not ideal, but if you’re in a pinch, cover the salmon to keep it from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions
I usually recommend filets that are around 1 inch thick for cooking salmon, as they tend to cook more evenly and retain their moisture better.
Having a filet of even thickness will cook up best, so try to avoid purchasing filets that are too thin or unevenly cut. This will ensure that your salmon is perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior and a tender, flaky interior.
Nope! The air fryer cooks it evenly all the way through.
You could, but the fish won’t crisp up as much. Instead, just give the basket a quick spritz with cooking spray.
Salmon doesn’t need much time in a marinade – too long, and it can get mushy. A quick glaze right before cooking is all it takes.
Time to Dig In
Air fryer salmon is all about simplicity without skimping on flavor. It’s fast, it’s delicious, and it’s versatile enough to keep in your dinner rotation week after week. And with the variety of seasoning options, you’ll never get bored. Give it a try, and let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear what flavors you come up with!
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
PrintRecipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 servings
Description
Seasoned to simple perfection, these air fryer salmon filets are buttery, flakey, and absolutely delicious. The perfect meal for your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon filets (6oz each, skin or no skin is fine)
- 1 tbs butter (melted)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika (regular or smoked)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt (or any coarse salt)
- Lemon slices, fresh dill or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brush tops of salmon filets with melted butter.
- Mix together paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Generously sprinkle the mixture over the top of the filets.
- Add foil to bottom of air fryer basket and spritz with a little cooking spray . Preheat at 390°(F) for 5 minutes.
- Place salmon, skin side down on foil. Set air fryer to “air fry” setting at 390° (F) for 10 minutes.
- Check for doneness. Internal temp should be 145° (F) and fish will easily flake with a fork.
- Serve and enjoy with fresh lemon!
Notes
Substitute butter with extra virgin olive oil if desired
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Doris Colbert says
I just tried this recipe and I have to say that I love it!!! It turned out just as you said it would
Kathy says
For those of us that have an air fryer/toaster (no basket), we can’t cook at exactly 390°. There’s only a “knob” to turn to temp setting. So, should we do 400° for a shorter time? This recipe sounds really good!
RecipeTeacher says
Yes that’s just fine.
Judie Harron says
l just received an air-fryer as a gift. I tried your best damn air fryer salmon and asparagus meal recipes for a trial run and it was delicious. Such an easy prep, directions and it produced a 4-star worthy meal. I can’t wait to experiment with more recipes! Thank you!
RecipeTeacher says
Hey Judie, welcome to the world of air fryer cooking!! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the salmon and the asparagus. Lots more great stuff to try too! Thanks for the feedback!
Barbara M says
Love this recipe for Air Fryer Salmon! Thanks for all your great recipes you share!
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks Barbara!!
Cynthia Winney says
Delicious! So easy to cook & fast clean-up. I substitute Lemon pepper for the plain black pepper. Highly recommend