Salmon might be the single best use case for an air fryer — it cooks fast, doesn't need flipping, and the circulating heat keeps the edges from drying out the way a hot skillet sometimes does.
Twelve minutes total, most of it hands-off.
Air Fryer Salmon
Pull the salmon right at 145°F — it continues cooking slightly after coming out of the basket, and even a couple extra minutes in the air fryer is enough to dry it out.
Save this recipe for later — pin it to your air fryer board.
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
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1. Season the salmon
Pat salmon fillets dry. Rub with olive oil, then season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
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2. Preheat and arrange
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place salmon skin-side down in the basket in a single layer.
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3. Air fry
Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and reaches 145°F (63°C) internally — no need to flip.
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4. Serve
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Tips & Common Questions
Why don't I need to flip the salmon?
The air fryer circulates hot air around the food from all directions, so the top cooks and crisps without needing direct contact with a hot surface the way stovetop cooking does.
Why pat the salmon dry first?
Removing surface moisture helps the seasoning stick and helps the exterior crisp slightly instead of steaming in the air fryer basket.
Can I cook salmon from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes — add about 5-6 extra minutes and check for doneness with a fork, since frozen fillets take longer to cook through evenly.