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This air fryer salmon cooks in just 10 minutes and delivers perfectly cooked fish every time. The outside develops a light, crisp finish while the inside stays moist and flaky, making it a quick and reliable way to prepare salmon any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes with minimal prep. It’s the kind of fast, weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on quality.
- Crisp Edges, Tender Center: The air fryer delivers perfectly crisped edges and a flaky, moist center – what you want every time.
- Foolproof Results: No flipping and no worrying, just simple steps that take the guesswork out of cooking.
- Versatile Flavor Base: Enjoy it as written, or try variations like maple glazed salmon or add homemade Creole seasoning for a different flavor.
What I love most about this air fryer salmon is how reliably delicious it turns out in such a short amount of time. In just 10 minutes, the salmon comes out beautifully cooked with a crisp exterior and a moist, flaky center.
The simple seasoning highlights the natural flavor of the fish without overpowering it, making it a recipe I come back to again and again.
It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner yet feels special enough for any occasion, and I think you’ll find yourself making it often too.
Consider serving your salmon with baked brown rice, sautéed green beans, or a simple salad with homemade vinaigrette.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy air fryer salmon recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Salmon Filets (about 5 ounces each): Skin-on or skinless both work. If the filets are thicker, add 1 to 2 extra minutes of cook time.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and keeps the fish moist.
- Seasoning: My preferred blend of garlic powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt. It’s simple and basic so the salmon can be enjoyed with just about any side.
- Lemon Wedges (optional): Adds brightness and freshness when served.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Salmon for One
This recipe is written for two salmon filets, which makes it easy to cook dinner for yourself and have an extra piece ready for later. If you’d prefer to cook just one filet, simply use the adjusted ingredient amounts below.
- 1 salmon filet (about 5 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch of black pepper
- pinch of salt
How To Make Air Fryer Salmon
These step-by-step photos show how to cook salmon in an air fryer. See the recipe card below for exact amounts and full instructions.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and let it heat for 5 minutes.
- Mix the Seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together garlic powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season the Salmon: Brush olive oil over the salmon filets, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the top.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the filets in the air fryer basket with space between them. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork.
- For accuracy, use an instant-read thermometer:
- FDA recommendation: 145°F at the thickest part.
- Cook’s Illustrated suggestion: 120°F for wild salmon, 125°F for farmed salmon.
- My preference: 135°F, which keeps the salmon tender and moist without being undercooked.
- For accuracy, use an instant-read thermometer:
A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the flavor right before serving.
Prefer the oven instead of the air fryer?
Try our easy baked salmon recipe, which delivers the same tender, flaky results with a lightly crisp top.
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
The 4-in-1 air fryer we use for our recipes.
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Expert Tips
- Pat the Salmon Dry: Removing excess moisture helps the outside crisp instead of steam.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Starting with a hot basket ensures even cooking and a nicely seared edge.
- Skin-On Filets: Place them skin-side down in the basket. The skin helps retain moisture and crisps up nicely.
- Glaze Option: For a sweeter finish, brush the salmon with a quick homemade glaze made with 2 tablespoons honey and 1 tablespoon soy sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Defrost First: Thaw frozen salmon before cooking. This recipe is written for thawed fillets.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the salmon cooks evenly without flipping.
360°F (182°C) gives a tender, flaky center with crisp edges.
Thaw it first for even cooking. This recipe is written for thawed salmon.
About 10 minutes for a 5-ounce fillet. Thicker pieces may need up to 12 minutes.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch air fryer salmon recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Air Fryer Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 (4.5 to 5 ounce) salmon filets
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and let it heat for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together garlic powder, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Brush olive oil over the salmon filets, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the top.
- Place the filets in the air fryer basket with space between them. Cook for 10 minutes.
- The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork.For accuracy, use an instant-read thermometer:FDA recommendation: 145°F at the thickest part.Cook’s Illustrated suggestion: 120°F for wild salmon, 125°F for farmed salmon.My preference: 135°F, which keeps the salmon tender and moist without being undercooked.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the flavor right before serving.
Notes
- Pat the Salmon Dry: Removing excess moisture helps the outside crisp instead of steam.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Starting with a hot basket ensures even cooking and a nicely seared edge.
- Skin-On Filets: Place them skin-side down in the basket. The skin helps retain moisture and crisps up nicely.
- Glaze Option: For a sweeter finish, brush the salmon with a quick homemade glaze made with 2 tablespoons honey and 1 tablespoon soy sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Defrost First: Thaw frozen salmon before cooking. This recipe is written for thawed fillets.
- 1 salmon filet (about 5 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch of black pepper
- pinch of salt
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Good recipe.
Thank you!