Crispy and tender every time, this Flaky Air Fryer Salmon is quick to make and only requires 4 ingredients!

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A go-to staple recipe salmon lovers will adore, this Flaky Air Fryer Salmon makes crispy, juicy, and oh-so-tasty salmon every time! This recipe is made without any oil, uses only a handful of ingredients, and I share some additional seasoning combinations below. Make this recipe today!

We're going simple but effective today, folks.

'Cause when you have a great piece of fish that's perfectly cooked, you really don't need to do a lot. If anything, overdoing it can be a disservice to the seafood.

The whole "less is more" thinking takes the pressure off of us in the kitchen, too. Just season your fish, pop it in to cook, and you're good to go.

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I don't know about you, but I love to have standby recipes that I can count on to be simple, versatile, quick, and -- most importantly -- delicious.

This salmon recipe is most definitely one of those recipes. With just salmon, dried dill, a large pinch of salt, and lemon juice, this recipe is accessible and flavorful.

Ready in under 20 minutes and complimenting so many side dishes, this recipe is ready in a pinch and perfect with almost any side dish you throw at it.

Oh, and not to mention the health benefits of salmon. I'll leave it to one of my favorite dietitians (below) to talk about the health benefits of this fish, but when it's this easy to get healthy food on the table, it's hard to not make this dish on a quick dinner evening.

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This air fryer salmon recipe is...

• Tender
• Flaky
• Juicy
• Crispy
• Made with only 4 ingredients
• Gluten-free
• Cleaning eating
• Full of healthy fats
• Rich in protein
• A delicious dinner recipe
• Fancy enough for a dinner party

If you haven't tried air fryer salmon yet, do yourself a favor and try this tonight!

Recipe ingredients

• Salmon fillets -- use the freshest and best quality fillets you can find. The flavor of your fish is going to be front and center on this recipe
• Salt -- sea salt or Himalayan pink salt is best
• Dried dill
• Lemon juice -- fresh is best, but bottled lemon juice also works.

Recipe substitutions:

• Steelhead trout -- though technically a different fish, steelhead trout has a very similar texture and flavor to salmon. It can work as a replacement for salmon, but the cooking time may go faster, so check the fish earlier in the cooking time.

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Can I put fish in the air fryer?

You definitely can put fish in the air fryer. It makes it super crispy and delicious while still being juicy and flake-tender on the inside.

This salmon air fries for 10-15 minutes, depending on the strength of your air fryer. If you're cooking a fish other than salmon, however, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Is air fryer fish healthy?

Yes, according to Megan Byrd, RD, "Air frying fish is a healthy alternative to sautéing or deep frying it, because it limits the added fats and calories without sacrificing flavor, texture, or nutrition. Air fried salmon is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy heart-healthy fish!"

Isn't that great news?! I always love it when something I already love is healthy for me, too!

What type of salmon do you need for this recipe?

The best quality and freshest salmon you can find is best for this recipe. The fish is front and center in this recipe so it's worth the fuss for the end result.

Aside from that, you can make this recipe with skin-on salmon as well as skinned salmon. Both farm-raised and wild salmon work.

I usually find great fish at our local Costco, so I'll whip up some of this recipe whenever I grab some!

What brand of air fryer do I use?

I use the Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp Air Fryer. I love it because it is built like a tank (seriously-- I bet you could drive over it and it'd still be in one piece) and offers so many functions. Not only can you air fry in it, but you can also pressure cook, dehydrate, make yogurt, saute, etc. It's an amazing all-in-one appliance (i.e. takes less storage space than if I had separate appliances for pressure cooking, etc.).

The Tendercrisp comes with an air frying basket (pictured) as well as air frying racks. I use the basket when I'm just cooking for the two of us and I use the racks when I am air frying for more people or am air frying two things at once.

What is the internal cooking temperature of salmon?

You want to cook salmon through to 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the salmon fillet. For the most accurate results, you can check this with a food thermometer. Generally, when the fish flakes easily with a fork it has reached 145 degrees as well.

How to cook salmon in the air fryer:

For the complete recipe and specific measurements, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Preheat the air fryer (with the rack or basket inside) to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
2. Season the salmon with a large pinch of salt and dried dill.
3. Air fry the salmon for 10-15 minutes, checking the salmon at 10 minutes and adding more cooking times as needed (air fryer temperatures and cooking speeds can differ), or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon and serve hot!

Tips to make the best air fry salmon:

1. Preheat the air fryer before cooking. This will ensure that the salmon cooks the quickest and most evenly.
2. Spray the air frying rack before frying. Prevent your salmon from sticking to the rack by spraying it with non-stick spray before cooking.
3. Don't be bashful about the lemon. In this recipe, the lemon brings out all the flavors of the fish
4. Adjust your cooking time. Air fryers cook at different speeds, so start on the shorter end of the cooking time and add on additional time as needed.

How long do leftovers last?

Leftover salmon lasts covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It does not freeze well.

Can you double or triple this recipe?

Yes, you can certainly double or triple this recipe. If you have more room in your air fryer, you can air fry a double or triple batch at the same time. If you don't have enough space, just air fry the salmon in batches.

What other seasoning combinations can you use?

You can use almost any other dry seasoning blends that you would otherwise use on salmon. Here are some of my favorites:

• Brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, and coriander, just like in this recipe
• Turmeric, cayenne pepper, cumin, & salt - for a spicy Indian inspired flavor
• BBQ seasoning rub - sound weird? I promise it's good! Just generously rub your salmon with your favorite BBQ seasoning rub before air frying and you're good to go!

What do you serve with air fryer salmon?

Oh, man! There are so many great serving ideas for this air fryer salmon.

Here are some of my go-to's:

• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Blistered Green Beans
• Wilted Spinach
• Rice pilaf
• Kale Salad

Tools needed to make this recipe:

• Measuring spoons
• Air Fryer
• Heatproof spatula
• Citrus juicer (optional)

Check out my other delicious air fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Zucchini
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Smashed Garlic Potatoes
• Air Fryer Kale Chips

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Yield: 2-3 servings

Air Fryer Salmon

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

There's nothing like this Flaky Air Fryer Salmon recipe! It's made with just 4 ingredients, is ready in a snap, and is incredibly crispy and juicy!

Print

Ingredients

• 2, 8 oz. salmon fillets
• large pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (or the juice of 1 lemon)

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer with the air fryer rack or basket inside to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
2. Season the salmon pieces with salt and dill.
3. Add the salmon to the preheated air fryer rack and air fry the salmon for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork or has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Drizzle the salmon with the lemon juice and serve hot!

Notes

1. Leftovers last covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. They do not freeze well.

2. Air fryers can run at different temperatures and cook at different speeds. The thickness of your salmon affects the cooking time, too. So, check your salmon at the shortest cooking time and add more time as you need it.

3. Salmon is done cooking whenever it flakes easily with a fork. Just gently press down on the salmon flesh with the corner of your fork and if the salmon flakes the fish is perfectly cooked.

4. You can use de-skinned salmon or salmon with skin on. Wild-caught or farmed salmon both work equally well for this recipe.

5. Steelhead trout can be substituted in for the salmon. If the steelhead fillets are thin, start checking the fish after 9-10 minutes in the air fryer.

Nutrition Information

Yield

3

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 313Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 95mgSodium 138mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 33g

This nutrition breakdown is just an estimate of the nutritional value of this recipe and cannot be taken as facts. The owners of Mae's Menu are not nutritionists or dietitians and therefore cannot be held accountable for this nutrition estimate. Please contact your nutritionist or medical professional for a nutritional breakdown of this food. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.