To air fry salmon, follow these general steps for a quick, flavorful, and tender result:
- Preheat the air fryer to around 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the salmon fillets (usually 4 to 6 ounces each):
- Pat them dry with a paper towel to help seasoning stick.
- Rub or brush with olive oil or melted butter.
- Season with your choice of spices such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and optionally smoked paprika, lemon zest, or herbs.
- Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between pieces.
- Air fry the salmon :
- Cook for about 6 to 10 minutes depending on thickness.
- Thinner pieces take about 6-7 minutes; thicker pieces may take 8-10 minutes.
- Check doneness by seeing if the salmon flakes easily with a fork or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Optional steps :
- You can add a glaze or sauce after cooking.
- Let the salmon rest a few minutes before serving.
This method yields salmon with seared edges and a tender, flaky center, ready in under 10 minutes
Example seasoning mix:
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Paprika (regular or smoked)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: brown sugar, lemon zest, dried thyme, cumin, or mustard for extra flavor
Summary of cooking times:
Thickness of Salmon| Air Fry Time at 400°F
---|---
Thin fillets| 6-7 minutes
Medium to thick| 8-10 minutes
Check with a fork or thermometer and add a minute or two if needed
. This technique is simple, fast, and produces delicious salmon with minimal cleanup.
