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This air fryer salmon for one is seasoned with garlic, paprika, and thyme, then air fried until crisp on the outside and tender throughout. Ready in 10 minutes.
Featured Comment
“FANTASTIC!! I followed the directions exactly and made the suggested sauce…This will now be one of my favorite ways to cook salmon and doing it in the air fryer was sooo much easier than heating up the oven.”
– Lori P.
Quick Look
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Equipment: Air fryer
- Cook Method: Air fried
- Servings: 1 (easily doubled)
- Difficulty: Easy
Made with about a 5 ounce salmon fillet seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, this air fryer salmon cooks at 360°F (182°C)and comes out crisp on the outside and flaky in the center.
Why Cook Salmon In An Air Fryer
I’m always happy to add a recipe to One Dish Kitchen that solves a real problem for cooking-for-one readers, and this air fryer salmon is one of them. Five ounces of salmon, a quick rub of seasoning, and dinner is done in 10 minutes without heating up the kitchen.
The air fryer circulates hot air around the fillet from every direction. The result is a salmon fillet with a slightly crisp top and a tender center that flakes apart at the touch of a fork.
The seasoning here is a blend that works hard with very little: garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme. The paprika gives the salmon a warm color as it cooks and the thyme adds an earthy note that rounds out the garlic without competing with the fish. It pairs with almost any side dish, which is why we settled on it as the go-to for this recipe.
If you have an extra fillet, double the seasoning and cook both at the same time. The air fryer handles two fillets without any change to the cook time, so you can eat one tonight and save the other for tomorrow’s lunch.
If you want a different method, our Baked Salmon in Foil For One is wrapped and steamed for the most tender texture, our Salmon with Maple Dijon Glaze For One adds a sweet-savory glaze, our Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus For One roasts a fillet with vegetables on one pan, and our Toaster Oven Broiled Salmon For One gives you a crisp top from the broiler.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy air fryer salmon recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Salmon Fillet: Use about a 5 ounce salmon fillet. Skin-on or skinless both work in the air fryer, but skin-on holds together better and the skin crisps up nicely in the hot circulating air. If the fillet is thicker than an inch, add 1 to 2 extra minutes of cook time. Steelhead trout is a good substitute.
For guidance on choosing between Sockeye, Coho, King, or Atlantic salmon, see our How to Choose the Best Salmon section on our Sheet Pan Salmon post.
If you have an extra fillet, use it in our salmon rice bowl or single serving salmon bites.
Olive Oil: A light brush of olive oil helps the seasoning stick to the fillet and promotes browning in the air fryer. Extra virgin or regular olive oil both work.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder distributes evenly across the fillet and won’t burn the way fresh minced garlic can in the intense air fryer heat. An eighth of a teaspoon is enough for a single fillet.
Paprika: Regular paprika gives the salmon a warm golden color as it cooks. It adds mild sweetness without heat. If you want a smokier flavor, smoked paprika works as a direct swap.
Dried Thyme: Thyme adds an earthy, slightly floral note that pairs naturally with salmon. Dried thyme holds up well in the air fryer’s dry heat. Dried oregano or dried rosemary can be substituted.
Salt and Black Pepper: A pinch of each is all a single fillet needs. Kosher salt seasons more evenly than table salt because of the larger grain size.
Fresh Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice goes over the salmon after cooking, not before. The acidity brightens the seasoning and cuts through the richness of the fish.
Save extra lemon for our single serving lemon bars or lemon meringue pie for one.
Recipe Variations
These air fryer salmon variations use dry seasonings or simple coatings that hold up to the high heat of the air fryer:
Everything Bagel Air Fryer Salmon: Skip the garlic powder, paprika, and thyme blend. Brush the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning before air frying.
Garam Masala Air Fryer Salmon: Replace the garlic powder, paprika, and thyme blend with ¼ teaspoon of our small batch garam masala plus ⅛ teaspoon of salt.
Hot Honey Air Fryer Salmon: Air fry the salmon with the standard seasoning blend, then drizzle with 1 teaspoon of hot honey right before serving.
How To Cook Salmon In An Air Fryer
These step-by-step photos show how to make this recipe. The photos show two salmon fillets, but this recipe is written for a single serving. If you’d like to cook two fillets, double the seasoning and follow the same cook time. 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, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Prepare and season the salmon. Pat the salmon fillet (or fillets) dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Brush olive oil over the top of the salmon, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly across the fillet.
- Air fry. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook for 10 minutes. The kitchen will start to smell like garlic and paprika after a few minutes, and the surface of the salmon will turn from raw pink to a light golden color as it cooks.
- Check for doneness. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the flesh has turned from translucent pink to light, opaque pink. For accuracy, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part. I pull mine at 135°F. See the salmon doneness chart below for other temperature options.
- Finish with lemon and serve. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon right before serving. The juice sizzles slightly when it hits the hot fillet and brightens the warm spices instantly. Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes before plating.
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
The 4-in-1 air fryer we use for our recipes.
A commission may be earned.
Expert Tips
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air around the food. If two fillets are touching or piled on top of each other, the air can’t circulate properly and the salmon steams instead of crisping. Leave at least an inch of space between fillets.
Air fryer temperatures vary by model. A 5 ounce fillet at 360°F takes about 10 minutes in most air fryers, but some models run hotter or cooler than the dial indicates. Start checking at the 8-minute mark the first time you make this recipe to learn how your air fryer behaves.
Use an instant-read thermometer. A fork test tells you when the salmon flakes, but a thermometer tells you exactly where you are on the doneness spectrum. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the fillet. See the salmon doneness chart below.
Let the salmon rest before cutting into it. Two to three minutes off the heat lets the juices redistribute.
Salmon Doneness Chart
Salmon can be cooked to different levels of doneness depending on your preference. Use the chart below as a guide, and check the thickest part of the fillet with an instant-read thermometer.
| Internal Temperature | Doneness | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| 120°F | Medium-rare (wild salmon) | Soft, silky, slightly translucent center |
| 125°F | Medium-rare (farmed salmon) | Tender and moist, just opaque |
| 135°F | Medium (my preference) | Tender, moist, fully cooked through |
| 145°F | Well done (FDA recommendation) | Firm, fully opaque, drier |
Troubleshooting
The salmon is dry or chewy. It cooked too long or went past 145°F. Air fryers cook quickly because of the circulating hot air, and a 5 ounce fillet can go from done to overcooked in under a minute. Pull it earlier next time, ideally at 135°F, and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes off the heat.
The outside is browned but the inside is still raw. The fillet was thicker than an inch, or the air fryer didn’t preheat long enough. Add 1 to 2 minutes to the cook time for thicker fillets, and make sure the air fryer is fully heated (about 5 minutes at 360°F) before placing the salmon inside.
The seasoning fell off the salmon. The salmon was too wet when the seasoning was applied, or there wasn’t enough olive oil to help it adhere. Pat the fillet thoroughly dry, then brush a thin layer of olive oil on the top before sprinkling the seasoning. The oil acts as a glue for the spices.
Serving Suggestions
Round out your air fryer salmon with one of these single serving sides:
Frequently Asked Questions
A 5 ounce salmon fillet cooks in 10 minutes at 360°F (182°C) in the air fryer. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork or reaches 135°F at the thickest part. Thicker fillets may need 1 to 2 extra minutes.
Cook salmon at 360°F (182°C) in the air fryer. This temperature gives the salmon a crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender and flaky. Higher temperatures can dry out the fillet before the center cooks through.
Salmon is done in the air fryer when it flakes easily with a fork and the flesh has turned from translucent pink to light, opaque pink. For accuracy, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part. I pull mine at 135°F.
No, you don’t need to flip salmon in the air fryer. The circulating hot air cooks the fillet evenly from all sides without flipping, which keeps the seasoning intact and prevents the salmon from breaking apart.
Thaw frozen salmon completely in the refrigerator before air frying. Frozen salmon releases extra water as it cooks, which prevents the surface from crisping and dilutes the seasoning.
Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 275°F for 3 to 4 minutes to keep it from drying out. Avoid the microwave when possible.
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 air fryer salmon for one or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen, I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave a star rating and a comment below to let me know how it turned out. If you take a picture, tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen). We love seeing what you make.
Air Fryer Salmon For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch teaspoon black pepper
- pinch teaspoon salt
- 1 (4.5 to 5 ounce) salmon fillet
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- fresh lemon juice , for serving
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 fillet dry with a paper towel. Brush olive oil over the top of the salmon, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly across the fillet.
- Place the salmon in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook for 10 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork or reaches 135°F at the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon right before serving. Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes before plating.
Notes
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.
FANTASTIC!! I followed the directions exactly and made the suggested sauce but only spread 2 tablespoons over the fish and finished cooking. The remaining sauce went over the fish and rice and WOW. I sprinkled a little green onion on the top and it was delicious. This will now be one of my favorite ways to cook salmon and doing it in the air fryer was sooo much easier than heating up the oven. Joanie, you’re nothing short of amazing.
I’m so happy to hear this and truly appreciate you sharing. It means so much to know this recipe has become a favorite.
Is there any way to use this recipe with can salmon?
This recipe is written for fresh salmon fillets, so it wouldn’t work the same way with canned salmon. If you’d like to use canned salmon, a better option would be to use it as a substitute for crab in our crab cakes recipe: https://onedishkitchen.com/crab-cakes-recipe/
Good recipe.
Thank you!