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    You are here: Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon

    Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon

    Last Modified: January 27, 2025

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.9 from 106 reviews

    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!

    Recipe for air fryer salmon.

    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.

    Recipe for air fryer salmon

    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.
    Recipe for air fryer salmon

    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.

    Recipe for air fryer salmon

    How to Make the Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon

    1. 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.
    2. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Moisture = soggy fish, and nobody wants that.
    3. Brush the filets with melted butter or olive oil, then sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
    4. 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.

    Recipe for air fryer salmon

    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.
    Recipe for the best damn air fryer salmon

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best filet size for cooking salmon?

    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.

    Do I need to flip the salmon?

    Nope! The air fryer cooks it evenly all the way through.

    Can I use foil in the air fryer?

    You could, but the fish won’t crisp up as much. Instead, just give the basket a quick spritz with cooking spray.

    How long can I marinate the salmon?

    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 

    • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
    Print

    Recipe

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    Recipe for air best damn air fryer salmon

    Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 106 reviews

    • Author: RecipeTeacher
    • Total Time: 15 min
    • Yield: 2 servings
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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

    1. Brush tops of salmon filets with melted butter.
    2. Mix together paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Generously sprinkle the mixture over the top of the filets.
    3. Add foil to bottom of air fryer basket and spritz with a little cooking spray . Preheat at 390°(F) for 5 minutes.
    4. Place salmon, skin side down on foil. Set air fryer to “air fry” setting at 390° (F) for 10 minutes.
    5. Check for doneness. Internal temp should be 145° (F) and fish will easily flake with a fork.
    6. 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

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    Recipe for The Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon
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    1. Biteswithbrittt says

      May 01, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you so much for this quick and yummy recipe! I had never made salmon in the air fryer before and I followed your recipe and honestly I’m probably gonna have tgis for dinner every night this week! Thank you thank you ☺️

      Reply
    2. Phoebe says

      April 07, 2022 at 1:42 am

      So incredibly good & perfectly cooked. This is my new favorite way to cook salmon
      E flaked the salmon & tossed it into penne pasta with pesto.

      Reply
    3. Lu says

      April 06, 2022 at 7:19 pm

      I love salmon and this recipe was super delicious, fast and easy to make. Definitely a keeper!!!

      Reply
    4. Angela says

      March 16, 2022 at 3:30 am

      My 8 yr old daughter recently tried salmon at a charity luncheon & loved it. She asked me to make it. I’m a good cook, but fish has never been my forte. But how could I say no to such a healthy request? I bought some salmon & found your recipe. Made it last night in my air fryer. It was a hit! My daughter loved it. And it was super easy. This will now be in our regular rotation. Thank you!

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        March 18, 2022 at 7:30 pm

        I love this, Angela! I’m glad your daughter is now a fan of salmon and you guys are using our recipe. Thanks so much for the feedback!

        Reply
    5. Flora S. says

      March 08, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      This was so easy and so delicious! I’m not afraid of salmon anymore!

      Reply
    6. Claudia Rodriguez says

      February 19, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Will it be as good the next day? Making it for lunch, but not sure how well will it taste the next day.

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        February 19, 2022 at 10:55 pm

        It will be excellent the next day!

        Reply
    7. Anne E says

      February 15, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      I rarely believe it when recipes say “It’s the best damned…” You did not lie! Amazing!!

      Reply
    8. Robbie McGurran says

      February 14, 2022 at 6:59 pm

      Excellent and super easy. I wanted French fries with my salmon so after the salmon had cooked about 3 minutes I put about 15 frozen fries around the salmon. All was done at the same time and delicious. Thank you!!I

      Reply
    9. Lynne Essig says

      January 24, 2022 at 11:43 am

      This is perfect! Thank u so much ..made a little sautéed spinach on the side. EXCELLENT!

      Reply
    10. Mari says

      January 19, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      I have a question. Could I use something else in substitute to the butter that would still work well? Thank you! Definitely want to try this week.

      Reply
      • RecipeTeacher says

        January 19, 2022 at 9:27 pm

        Hi Mari, absolutely you can! Olive oil or other vegetable oil will work just fine.

        Reply
        • Josee says

          March 12, 2022 at 3:05 pm

          Wonderful recipe. I used ghee instead of butter though

          Reply
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    Jason of Recipeteacher.com

    Hi, I’m Jason and i’m here to help you make easy, delicious homemade recipes. My approach is to provide the easy-to-understand instructions, use simple ingredients, and have you make the best meals possible.

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