Air Fryer Salmon is the quickest and easiest way to cook juicy, flaky salmon. The mouthwatering lemon Dijon glaze takes this air fryer salmon recipe over the top. It’s simple yet memorable, and there’s no marinating required. You’ll have perfectly cooked salmon in 10 minutes.
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Air Fryer Salmon Video
We love using the air fryer to cook everything from Air Fryer Chicken Wings to Air Fryer Baked Potato. Who doesn’t love having dinner ready in a fraction of the time? This recipe is fast and easy enough for weeknights, with tons of flavor.
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
What makes this recipe truly special is the glaze. The lemon Dijon glaze we use for this recipe is based on the wildly popular Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon, adapted to the air fryer. Zesty fresh citrus and tangy mustard paired with salmon is a match made in heaven. The speediness of the air fryer makes it slightly crisp on the edges and so juicy in the center.
The air fryer is always saving our bacon on busy weeknights (sometimes literally, in the case of Air Fryer Bacon!). It’s also versatile and pairs well with so many sides. See more serving options below.
Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients
Below is an overview of what you’ll need to make juicy air fryer salmon. Please refer to the full recipe details in the recipe card further on.
- Salmon – You can buy 4 smaller, pre-portioned salmon fillets, or one large fillet and cut it into four. You can use skin-on or skinless salmon for this recipe. We prefer skinless salmon, so that’s what we used.
- Olive Oil – Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil
- Dijon – Creamy Dijon mustard balances the acidity and adds depth of flavor
- Lemon – You’ll need the zest and juice from a fresh lemon.
- Seasoning – Garlic powder, salt and pepper
Salmon Type Matters for Timing
Some wild-caught salmon filets are leaner and thinner and will cook faster. Farmed salmon or wild Alaska king salmon is often thicker with a higher fat content, which can take slightly longer to cook but is more forgiving if slightly over-cooked.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
Even if you’re new to air frying, this simple salmon recipe is perfect for beginners. For this recipe, we don’t preheat. The air fryer cooks the salmon so quickly that we skip this step. Here’s how easy it is:
- Add Salmon to the Air Fryer – Oil the basket of your air fryer, then add the salmon fillets. Make sure they’re arranged in a single layer with enough space for the air to circulate.
- Glaze – Next, whisk together the lemon Dijon glaze ingredients. Gently brush the glaze over each fillet.
- Cook – Air fry the fillets at 400ºF for 7-10 minutes. The exact time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillet and your air fryer model. Salmon is done when you can flake it with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145ºF on an instant-read thermometer at the thickest part of the salmon filet.
- Serve – Plate the salmon and sprinkle over some lemon zest and lemon juice. You can also slice up an additional lemon and chop up fresh parsley to use as a garnish.
Is it better to use a basket air fryer or a toaster oven-style?
We have and love both; either one will cook this salmon perfectly. The toaster oven style cooks a little faster, about 7-8 minutes, while a basket style will take closer to 10 minutes.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon
This easy salmon recipe is effortless enough for weeknight dinners, and “fancy” enough to serve when we entertain. Serve it with:
- Veggies – Baked Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower, or Roasted Asparagus
- Rice – Enjoy over a bed of fluffy White Rice
- Pasta – pair with Baked Feta Pasta or Pasta Primavera
- Potatoes – serve with Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Roasted Potatoes
Storage and Reheating
Air fryer salmon is great to make ahead and perfect for easy meal prep. Here’s how to store your cooked salmon and leftovers:
- To Refrigerate: Store your salmon fillets airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Cooked salmon can be stored frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost the salmon in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Salmon can be reheated either in the air fryer, in the microwave, or in the oven. Gently warm the fish until heated all the way through, then serve.
Leftover Air Fryer Salmon?
You can repurpose any leftover salmon and make my easy Salmon Patties with flaked, boneless, skinless cooked salmon. You can also make the best Salmon Cobb Salad!
Prepare to be blown away by how easy it is to cook perfect salmon in the air fryer. You’ll never want to cook it any other way!
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, 6 oz each, from a 1 1/2 lb filet
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- Zest from 1 lemon, reserved to garnish
- 1 tsp lemon juice, plus lemon wedges to serve
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Parsley, to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange salmon filets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, stir together the oil, dijon, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Brush the mixture over the top and sides of each filet. Air fry at 400ºF for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filet and the type of air fryer you have. Air fry until the internal temperature reaches 145ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
- Transfer cooked salmon to a platter, grate lemon zest over the salmon and squeeze lemon juice over the top to serve. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze more juice if desired.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Whenever dinner is time-sensitive and we still want something healthy and homemade, the air fryer is our go-to. Cooking will take a fraction of the time as baking (these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are proof). If you loved this easy air fryer salmon recipe, wait until you try these other quick and easy meal ideas:
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Roasted Air Fryer Potatoes
- Baked Potatoes in Air Fryer
- Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
The salmon was extremely juicy and tasty. Will continue to make salmon this way. My family loved it.
That makes me so happy! Nothing beats hearing that everyone at the table loved it, Joy!