Air Fryer Salmon Fillets Recipe

About

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these air fryer salmon fillets come together in under 20 minutes with just a handful of pantry staples. A quick, healthy weeknight dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

1. 1

   Preheat Air Fryer

   preheat 5 min

   Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the salmon starts cooking immediately on contact, which helps achieve a lightly crisped exterior. While the air fryer heats up, begin mixing the seasoning in step 2.

2. 2

   Mix Seasoning and Coat Salmon

   prep 5 min

   In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper and stir until well mixed. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel, then use a pastry brush or spoon to coat all sides of each fillet evenly with the seasoned oil. Drying the salmon first helps the coating adhere and promotes better browning.

3. 3

   Air Fry the Salmon

   cook 12 min

   Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature has reached 145°F for safe consumption. Thicker fillets may need the full 12 minutes.

4. 4

   Rest the Salmon

   rest 2 min

   Remove the salmon fillets from the air fryer and let them rest for 2 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the fish, keeping each fillet moist and flavorful.

5. 5

   Serve

   serve

   Transfer the salmon fillets to plates and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze lemon juice over the top just before eating to brighten the flavors.