• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • By Energy Requirement
    • By Time Commitment
    • By Dirty Dishes Produced
    • Appetizers
    • Entrees
    • Breads
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Sauces and Seasonings
  • Blog

Avidly Ravenous

June 29, 2021

How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

FacebookTweetPin
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Honey Dijon salmon plated with wild rice and a mixed lettuce salad.

I grew up eating salmon but there was never anything about it that truly enticed me. It has taken me close to three decades to find a cooking method that could pull me into the salmon game. Now that I have discovered how to cook salmon in the air fryer, there is no going back.

Why Air Fry Salmon?

Simply put, air fryer salmon is absolutely the way to go for anyone with a tendency to get grossed out by certain food textures. For me, salmon is one of those foods that can lean into the ick zone if not cooked just right. An air fryer eliminates the guess work and salmon comes out flaky and moist, with a perfectly crispy skin.

This is the air fryer that I use. It is actually an instant pot with an air fryer lid, which is a huge bonus for me because it's multi-functional. Note, if you buy the product through this link I will receive a commission. That being said, I love this product and use it all the time.

What Flavors go well with Salmon?

Classic Buffalo: Buffalo sauce isn't just for wings. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Hot Honey Bourbon: This sauce is sweet and spicy. It creates an excellent glaze for salmon.

Sesame Ginger: Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. It's hard to go wrong.

Honey Dijon: It is like a classic honey mustard but with a little curry kick. This sauce is included in the recipe card for this post.

Buffalo bourbon salmon in the air fryer.

Tips for Air Frying Salmon

Cut your salmon into even pieces. If the pieces are too big, they will take too long to cook through in the air fryer. In general, ⅓ lb pieces, that are about 1 ½" thick will cook the best by this method. If your sizes are a little different, no worries, but the cooking time may vary. Start to check your salmon for flaking, using a fork, after about 8 minutes.

Don't remove the salmon skin. Even if you do not intend to eat the skin (I get it, that's not for everyone). The skin creates a functional barrier between the air fryer basket and the salmon. It decreases the likelihood that your pieces will get stuck to the basket, which can be a big headache.

Double up on your chosen sauce. Dress the salmon as it starts cooking and again when it is done. The sugars from the sauce will start to caramelize as the salmon cooks in the air fryer. The final glaze will reinforce your flavors and add a touch of moisture to your bite.

Serving Suggestions

Now, you can't just eat salmon for the whole meal, don't be silly. Pair your fish with a grain and vegetable of choice - some options are listed below. This salmon actually makes for a pretty good make ahead freezer meal. Cook up a couple of grains and vegetables along with your salmon and you'll be able to mix and match for several meals! Just be sure to reheat the salmon gently, so as to not overcook it.

Grains

  • Wild rice
  • Quinoa
  • Couscous
  • Brown rice.

Vegetables

  • Balsamic Broccoli
  • Asparagus as a Side Dish
  • Grilled Zucchini
  • Sautéed Green Beans
Buffalo bourbon air fried salmon over red quinoa and plated with roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini.

Get your air fryer pre-heated and your glaze mixed up, then thank yourself for finally finding a way to enjoy your omega-3s. No more fish pills for you. You're welcome.

Keep your belly full, your mind engaged, and your heart open.




Lillian
Close up of honey Dijon salmon plated with wild rice and a mixed lettuce salad.

Air Fried Salmon

The easiest way to make perfectly textured salmon. The air fryer keeps the salmon moist while crisping up the skin.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients
  

Salmon

  • 1 lb salmon about 1 ½" thick
  • oil spray for coating the air fryer basket

Honey Dijon Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ¼ teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Salmon

  • Cut your salmon into ~⅓ pound pieces. Adjust as necessary depending upon the thickness of your filet. Do not remove the skin.
  • Pre-heat the air fryer to 400 °F.
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Though the salmon skin helps to drastically reduce the possibility of sticking, a little oil will set you up for success.
  • Place salmon, skin side down in the air fryer. Do not crowd your basket. If your air fryer is small you may have to make it in two batches. Luckily, it is super fast.
  • Pour a thin layer of your chosen sauce over each piece of salmon, coating all visible sides. Reserve about 1 teaspoon of sauce per piece of salmon.
  • Close the air fryer and cook the salmon for 8-12 minutes. There is some variability in how the salmon cooks so check it after the 8 minute mark. Use a fork to check for flakiness. If it's not yet done, continue to cook, checking again every 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove salmon from the air fryer, then top each piece with 1 teaspoon of reserved sauce.
  • Serve salmon with a grain and a vegetable for a balanced meal.

Honey Dijon Sauce

  • Measure all sauce ingredients into a small bowl. Whisk well to combine.
  • Whisk again just before use.
Keyword air fried, air fried fish, air fried salmon, air fryer, air fryer fish, air fryer salmon, bourbon salmon, honey dijon glaze, honey dijon salmon, make ahead salmon, salmon, salmon in the air fryer, spicy salmon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Proteins

  • Dressed air fryer chicken wings served with carrots, celery, ranch, and a side of mac and cheese.
    Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • A close up of air fryer tofu on a blue plate.
    Air Fryer Tofu
  • Homemade burger with caramelized onions and aioli.
    Juicy Burgers
  • On open buffalo chicken wrap with cabbage and green onion.
    Ranch Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jere Cassidy says

    July 08, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    I don't have an air fryer but I am making this sauce for my baked salmon.

    Reply
    • avidlyravenous says

      July 09, 2021 at 8:46 am

      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  2. AISilva says

    July 08, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for these great directions and tips on how to cook salmon in an air fryer. I've been meaning to get an air fryer and this will be the first on my list. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • avidlyravenous says

      July 09, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Hope it turns out great for you! I love my air fryer.

      Reply
  3. Audrey says

    July 08, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    This turned out great- love using my air fryer!

    Reply
    • avidlyravenous says

      July 09, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Awesome, it is such a good appliance!

      Reply

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Avidly Ravenous on the Brunch Pro Theme

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.