Easy Air Fryer Salmon Fillets - Foody Schmoody Blog

Name: Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 Fillets Salmon (approximately 6 to 7 ounces each fillet); 1 Tablespoon Avocado or Olive oil; 1 Teaspoon Salt (more or less to your preference); ½ Teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black pepper; 1 Lemon Zest of and wedges or slices for serving

Air Fryer Salmon is a great weeknight meal option. It is healthy and it cooks up super quick in the air fryer!

In my opinion, the air fryer is the best method for cooking salmon fillets. The result is a moist, tender and flaky salmon with just-crisp edges.

If you are looking for other great main dish air fryer recipes make sure you check out my Air Fryer Chicken Burgers, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Caprese Chicken and Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops!

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Four pieces of cooked salmon on a white platter. There are lemon slices and green garnish scattered around the dish.

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This quick and easy air fryer salmon recipe goes great with air fryer broccoli on the side!

🥘Salmon is a healthy choice

If you are like me and constantly trying to add protein to your life or diet, then salmon is a great option!

Salmon not only is high in protein but it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats) and also Vitamin B12. These things are great for your body. I won't bore you with the details but if you want to learn about the benefits of Omega 3-fatty acids, you can check out this page from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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🥘Salmon is a healthy choice
🔪Ingredients
🍴Instructions
🥗Variations
🍽️Equipment
❓FAQ
Related
Pairing
Printable Recipe Card
Food safety

🔪Ingredients

This salmon recipe has very simple ingredients, nothing fancy needed.

Four slices of salmon, uncooked on a white platter. Above the platter in small white prep bowls are black pepper, slt and oil. There is also a slice of lemon next to the oil.

Salmon fillets - fresh
Oil - avocado or olive oil are good choices
Lemon - the zest of a lemon for seasoning and then we are using lemon wedges or slices for serving.
Seasonings - salt and pepper, you can also add your other favorite seasonings

See recipe card for quantities.

🍴Instructions

Super simple cooking instructions.

A close up of a raw piece of salmon with a black pastry brush brushing oil on the salmon.

Brush the salmon fillets with oil.

A hand is holding a small white prep bowl full of black pepper over four pieces of uncooked salmon.

2. Season the oiled fillets with salt and pepper.

A lemon being zested with a microplane above four pieces of salmon.

3. Add lemon zest to salmon fillets.

Four pieces of uncooked salmon inside the air fryer basket.

4. Air fry 7 to 10 minutes.

Four pieces of salmon, cooked inside an air fryer basket with four lemon slices placed in basket.

When the salmon is cooked it should have an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. It should be somewhat firm to the touch but easily flake with a fork. If it is mushy, it is likely overcooked.

Hint: To be sure you've cooked your salmon just right, always use a quick-read digital thermometer.

🥗Variations

As I mentioned above, you can add and change up seasonings based on you favorite flavors.

Spices - try dill, garlic powder, paprika, cumin
Sauces - drizzle with honey, sriracha or even pesto sauce (I have a nut-free pesto)

🍽️Equipment

Obviously, you'll need an air fryer to prepare air fryer salmon. Be sure it is large enough that the salmon is not overcrowded. I prefer this Cosori Air Fryer, the basket is roomy and it runs quite quiet!

Cosori Air Fryer with a recipe book to the right of it.

Cosori Air Fryer on Amazon.

Fish Turner Spatula on Amazon.

Quick-Read Digital Thermometer on Amazon.

A microplane zester with a black handle.

Lemon Zester / Micro Plane on Amazon.

❓FAQ

Does salmon need to be flipped over when cooking in air fryer?

No. No need to flip.

What temperature do I air fryer salmon?

400 degrees F.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

Printable Recipe Card

Two cooked fillets of salmon on a white plate with two lemon slices and cooked broccolini.

Air Fryer Salmon Fillets

foodyschmoody

Protein-rich and super healthy salmon, ready in minutes, when prepared in the air fryer. A quick meal in minutes.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 272 kcal

Equipment

1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

4 Fillets Salmon approximately 6 to 7 ounces each fillet
1 Tablespoon Avocado or Olive oil
1 Teaspoon Salt more or less to your preference
½ Teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black pepper
1 Lemon Zest of and wedges or slices for serving

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for five minutes while you prep your ingredients.
Remove any excess moisture from salmon by patting dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel.
Brush both sides of the salmon with oil using a pastry brush or spray it using a mist bottle.
Season the salmon with salt and pepper (and any additional seasonings you may choose - see notes for options). Zest the lemon and add the zest to the salmon fillets as well.
Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, inside the pre-heated air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 °F for seven minutes. Check internal temperature, if not yet at 145 °F , return to air fryer for one to three more minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 °F
Once the salmon is cooked to temperature, remove it from the air fryer and allow to rest for two to three minutes. Serve with lemon wedges or slices.

Notes

NOTE 1:

This recipe was created with simple seasonings. You can add other seasonings based on your flavor preference. Some good options are:

garlic powder
dill
cumin
chili powder
paprika or smoked paprika

NOTE 2:

Like any meat or fish, the thickness of the salmon can alter cook time. A thicker piece take longer to cook than a thinner piece.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 0.04gProtein: 34gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 656mgPotassium: 834mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 68IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

Keyword air fryer, fish recipe, seafood recipe

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Food safety

Cook to a minimum temperature of 145 °F
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.