Making Salmon in the Air Fryer is a quick and easy, healthy dinner option seasoned with garlic, basil, dill, and lemon that cooks in just 15 minutes making it great for busy weeknights!
Try another delicious salmon recipe like my light and flaky Blackberry Lemon Salmon or easy British Fish Pie with Simply Bake Salmon!
Air Fryer Salmon is a great way to mix up the way you serve this popular protein to your family! Juicy, flaky, perfectly cooked filets hit your plate after just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time!
A Dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes without using any pots and pans? Sign me up!
5 Reasons Why This Recipe Works!
- Healthy! Salmon is rich in omega 3-fatty acids, vitamin B12, and packed with protein making this recipe the perfect choice when you’re looking for healthy dinner options!
- Air Fryer! Using the air fryer to cook salmon makes the fish have a slight crisp coating while being perfectly tender and flaky on the inside!
- Seasoned Salmon! Pantry staple herbs and spices create a flavor-packed seasoning to sprinkle over the fish before they air fry!
- Fresh Or Frozen! You can use fresh salmon filets or frozen fish! Just make sure to fully thaw the frozen fillets before cooking!
- Quick! This recipe requires very little prep and a quick cooking time to deliver tasty salmon in no time!
Ingredient Notes
For this salmon recipe, you’ll coat the fish with melted salted butter and lemon juice. Then the salmon gets a generous coat of homemade seasoning made of garlic powder, seasoning salt, coarse black pepper, fresh dill, and fresh basil.
Looking for something to serve alongside this Air Fryer Salmon? I’ve got just the thing for you to quickly make while the salmon rests!
Asparagus cooked in the air fryer! Simply toss the asparagus in olive oil and coarse salt before throwing it in your air fryer for 7 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Now you’ve got an easy, healthy meal all made using just your air fryer!
How To Make Salmon In An Air Fryer
- Melt the butter in a small bowl and then stir in the lemon juice.
- Brush the melted butter and lemon juice mixture onto the fish using a pastry brush.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season salmon by mixing together the garlic powder, seasoning salt, pepper, dill, and basil. Then sprinkling it over the skinless side of the fillets.
- Place salmon fillets, skin side down, into the air fryer making sure not to crowd them.
- Cook salmon in the air fryer until a fork inserted into the thickest part goes in easily and has a translucent, pink color inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Fish Can I Substitute For Salmon?
You could try Pollack, Halibut, Arctic Char, Ocean Trout, Mackerel, or even Bluefish! We love this Air Fryer Cod recipe, too!
Can I Use Fresh Cloves Of Garlic Instead Of Garlic Powder?
Yes, you can substitute 1 clove of garlic for the garlic powder.
Do I Use Fresh Lemon Juice?
Fresh lemon juice is always best! An average lemon should give you about 3 tablespoons of juice.
To get the most juice out of your lemon, heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then roll it on the counter to loosen it up. Poke a hole in the bottom and squeeze until you have the desired amount of juice, or use a lemon juicer!
I love using my Air Fryer as a cooking method to make easy, delicious recipes to share with my family! Whether you’re looking for dessert, a kid-approved meal, or an appetizer, I have more easy Air Fryer Recipes for you to try!
- Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp – Packed with a kick of heat from the breading to the jalapeno cream chili dipping sauce!
- Tender Air Fryer Steak (Filet Mignon) – Juicy steak that cooks in just 14 minutes!
- Moist Air Fryer Chocolate Cake – Dense, chocolaty cake that’s covered in Chocolate Ganache!
- Easy Air Fryer Pizzas – Made using refrigerated biscuits and finished off with your favorite pizza toppings!
- Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken – Juicy, tender chicken with a crunchy coating of spice that can be adjusted to taste!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
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Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil chopped
- 4 (6oz.) salmon fillets skin-on
Instructions
- Prepare the air fryer basket by spraying with non-stick spray.
- Melt the butter in a small measuring cup or bowl and stir in lemon juice.4 tablespoons salted butter, 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Using a pastry brush, coat all surfaces.
- In another small bowl, mix together garlic powder, seasoning salt, pepper, dill, and basil.½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, 1½ teaspoons fresh dill, 1 teaspoon fresh basil
- Liberally sprinkle the dry mixture over the skinless side of the fillets.4 (6oz.) salmon fillets
- Place the salmon fillets, skinless side up, into the air fryer. Try not to crowd the fillets.
- Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes, then open the air fryer to check the salmon. Insert a fork in the thickest part of the filet, if it goes in easily and has a translucent, pink color inside, it’s finished cooking. Each air fryer cooks differently. If the salmon is not done, cook for another 2 minutes and check again until done.
Notes
- You may use skinless fillets, but I like the skin on them because it is healthier. The skin has a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, it creates a barrier between the heat of the air fryer basket and your fillets, allowing it to cook properly.
- If using frozen fillets, make sure to allow them to fully thaw, remove all excess water, and pat them dry before seasoning.
- Asparagus is a common side dish for salmon. You can toss it in some olive oil and coarse salt and throw it in your air fryer for 7 minutes at 400 degrees while the salmon rests!
- Storage Instructions: This salmon will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. Just be sure to wrap it really well. Or you may freeze it for up to 6 months.
- Is there a fish I could use that is a good substitute for salmon? Yes, you could try Pollack, Cod, Halibut, Arctic Char, Ocean Trout, Mackerel, or Bluefish
- I prefer to use fresh cloves of garlic instead of powdered – what would be a substitution? You could substitute 1 clove of garlic for the garlic powder
- Do I use fresh lemon juice – and how many lemons will I need? Fresh lemon juice is always best! An average lemon should give you about 3 Tablespoons of juice. To get the most juice out of your lemon, heat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then roll it on the counter to loosen it up. Poke a hole in the bottom (the end without a stem), and squeeze until you have the desired amount of juice, or use a lemon juicer!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Michael says
when I make salmon in the air fryer, I place it on a piece of ungreased foil in the pan, not the basket. What you will find is, that when cooked, the skin sticks to the foil and you can slip a thin spatula between the skin and flesh, allowing you to serve a beautiful skinless piece of salmon.