Make weeknight dinners easy with this air fryer salmon—crispy on the outside, tender and flaky inside, and ready in just 15 minutes. It’s low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with flavor, plus I’m sharing a quick homemade tartar sauce to go with it.
Why you will fall in love with Air Fryer Salmon
Just like my air fryer halibut, you’re gonna love how easy this air fryer salmon is. It cooks up crazy flaky, buttery, and so dang good. Honestly, air fryers are a game changer for fish — it’s done in no time and tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant.
The hot circulating air gives the salmon a nice sear on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender. Cleanup’s way easier than pan-frying too, which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal. And don’t worry — I’ll show you how to cook it from frozen if you forget to thaw your salmon!
No Air Fryer? I’ll show you how to make it in the oven!
Success Tips for Making Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Prevent sticking by lightly oiling both the salmon and the air fryer basket. Avoid non-stick cooking sprays as they can damage your air fryer’s coating over time.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket! Always leave space between fillets for air circulation.
- Check early rather than late. Salmon cooks quickly, and the difference between perfectly flaky and dried out is just a minute or two.
- Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy exterior.
- Keep the skin on during cooking for easier handling and extra flavor. You can always remove it before eating if preferred.
The Quick Dish on Air Fryer Salmon with Tartar Sauce
Prep: 8 minutes | Cook: 7 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine Inspiration: American Seafood
Primary Cooking Method: Air Fryer
Dietary Info: Low Carb, High Protein, Gluten-Free, Omega-3
Key Flavor: Savory, Smoky, and Tangy
Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly, super easy
Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients & Substitutions
- Salmon Fillets (about 6 ounces each): You can use fresh or frozen salmon; I prefer thawing the salmon but I’ll show you how to air fry frozen salmon too. I prefer skin-on salmon for the best flavor, but you can use skinless, too.
- Olive Oil: Adds a bit of moisture and helps the salmon crisp in the air fryer!
- Spices: I used a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper here. You can use any of your favorite fish seasonings, though! Try thyme, oregano, fresh lemon, rosemary, dill, or tarragon.
- Tartar Sauce: I always make my own tartar sauce with avocado mayo, dill pickle relish, fresh dill, lemon juice, sugar, black pepper, and onion!
- Garnish: Serve your air fried salmon with freshly chopped parsley and/or dill for even more flavor.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Fresh vs. frozen salmon—what works best?
Both fresh and frozen salmon work wonderfully in the air fryer, though they require slightly different approaches:
- Fresh Salmon: Has the best flavor and texture. Look for fillets with bright color, firm texture, and no fishy smell. Wild-caught salmon typically has better flavor than farm-raised, but will be more expensive.
- Frozen Salmon Filets: Thaw completely in the fridge overnight for best results. If cooking from frozen (see below), you’ll need to adjust cooking time and temp.
Personally, I would always go for fresh salmon when possible, but if you have frozen salmon in the freezer, you can definitely use it!
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
Step 1 – Prep the Salmon
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205° C) and pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, then brush olive oil on the meat side of each salmon fillet.
In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the salmon and gently rub it with your fingers.
Step 2 – Air Fry
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with spray oil (not non-stick cooking spray, this gums up your air fryer basket over time). Place salmon skin side down in the basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Note: If desired, you may place a piece of parchment paper in your air fryer for easier clean-up.
Air fry for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Please note that every air fryer heats a little differently, so check on the early side for doneness. Salmon should flake easily with a fork; cook for 1-2 minutes more if needed.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re concerned about doneness, use an instant-read thermometer. For medium doneness, the temperature should read 125°F to 130°F, yielding moist, tender, and flaky salmon.
If you prefer it fully cooked, aim for 140°F to 145°F, but the salmon may turn out dry. Remember — the fish will continue cooking slightly after it comes out of the air fryer due to carryover cooking.
Step 3 – Make the Tartar Sauce
While the salmon cooks, prepare the tartar sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, dill, lemon juice, sugar, black pepper, and chopped onion (if using). Stir well and set aside.
Step 4 – Serve
Once done, garnish salmon with chopped parsley or fresh dill—a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve with tartar sauce and your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
Oven Instructions:
No air fryer? No problem! Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 125°F to 130°F for medium doneness.
Want crispier edges? Broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t overcook.
What Do You Serve with Air Fryer Salmon?
Air-fried salmon pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes! For a hearty side, try serving it with freshly steamed rice, garlic mashed potatoes or air fried asparagus. It would also be delicious with roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes! For a salad or low-carb option, try my broccoli salad recipe or a classic wedge salad or Italian chopped salad.
Leftover salmon also works wonderfully cold in salads or salmon patties, making it a versatile option for next-day lunches! Simple cut into bite sized pieces for a salad.
Seasoning Suggestions for Air Fryer Recipes Salmon
While the recipe’s smoky paprika blend is delicious, don’t be afraid to experiment with some flavor variations:
For a classic flavor, try:
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Simple salt, pepper, and olive oil
- Garlic butter and herbs
- Italian herbs with lemon zest; try oregano, thyme, rosemary with one lemon zested.
- Dijon Salmon: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Mix together in small bowl, brush on top of salmon.
For something bold, try:
- Cajun seasoning
- Blackened seasoning
- Old Bay seasoning
- Curry powder with a hint of cumin
To add a quick flavor boost, brush on a tablespoon of your favorite prepared sauce (like teriyaki or honey mustard) during the last 2 minutes of cooking, especially if you used a simple seasoning option!
Can you cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook raw salmon straight from frozen in your air fryer! Here’s how to adapt:
- Preheat to 390°F, slightly lower than for thawed salmon, I don’t recommend air frying it at 400°F.
- Season the frozen salmon fillet – the oil will help seasonings stick even to frozen fish.
- Cook for about 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 125°-135°F; if you want your salmon fully cooked and on the dryer side, cook until a meat thermometer reaches 140°F. Note: Every air fryer heats differently, so your filet may take a little longer or even shorter.
- Check halfway through and add any additional seasonings if needed.
The texture might be slightly less perfect than thawed salmon, since the moisture from it being frozen will prevent it from browning on the outside. But it is a good option when you forget to defrost!
Salmon in Air Fryer FAQs
While many air fryers work well for salmon, these are my top air fryer recommendations:
1. Cosori Air Fryer: Features excellent temperature control and a square basket that fits salmon fillets perfectly without overlapping.
2. Ninja: The multi-function capability lets you broil the top for extra crispiness if desired.
In any case, look for models with at least a 5-quart capacity if cooking for a family and digital controls for precise temperature settings.
The air fryer has many advantages over other cooking methods, such as pan searing or baking.
1. Speed: Cooks in about half the time of oven baking!
2. Texture: Creates a crispy exterior and moist inside.
3. Convenience: No need to flip the salmon during cooking!
4. Cleanup: Minimal mess compared to pan-frying.
5. Efficient: No need to heat a large oven for a small meal.
The circulating hot air creates a perfect environment for salmon, creating delicious results with minimal effort.
Yes! Leftover air fryer salmon stays delicious when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Generally, no, because of the constant air circulation of the air fryer, it will cook evenly and crisp both sides of the salmon.
Skin side down is preferred as it protects the fish from drying out, allows the skin to crisp up and makes the skin easier to remove, if you choose.
How to Store Leftover Salmon
To store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to preserve texture. It’s best to avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the salmon rubbery.
For More Air Fryer Recipes
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Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 6 ounce salmon fillets fresh or thawed, see notes for frozen
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Tartar Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise I like Avocado mayo
- ⅓ cup dill pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill finely chopped or parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon onion finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish, (optional
- Fresh dill chopped, for garnish (optional
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Salmon
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205° C), pat dry with paper towel and brush olive oil on the meat side of each salmon fillet.4 6 ounce salmon fillets, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the salmon and gently rub in with your fingers.½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with spray oil (not non-stick cooking spray, this gums up your air fryer basket over time). Place salmon fillets in the basket, skin-side down, in a single layer.
- Air fry for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Please note, every air fryer heats a little differently, so check on the early side for doneness. Salmon should flake easily with a fork; cook an additional 1-2 minutes if needed. For moist, buttery salmon, cook until 120-125°F and for fully cooked salmon, cook until 140-145°F – but not that it could be dry.
Tartar Sauce
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the tartar sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, dill, lemon juice, sugar, black pepper, and chopped onion (if using). Stir well and set aside.½ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup dill pickle relish, 1 teaspoon fresh dill, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon onion
- Once done, garnish salmon with chopped parsley or fresh dill. Squeeze some fresh lemon over the top or serve with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce.1 tablespoon fresh parsley, Fresh dill, Lemon wedges
Notes
Low and slow is the way to go if you don’t want dry salmon.
- Oven: Pop it in at 275°F, loosely cover with foil, and warm for about 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- Air Fryer: Set it to 300°F and heat for 3-4 minutes—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook.
- Microwave (only if you have to): Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed up.
No air fryer? No problem! Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 125°F to 130°F for medium doneness. Want crispier edges? Broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t overcook.
Nutrition
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