This Crispy Air Fryer Salmon recipe takes only minutes to cook, is flavorful, healthy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Mix up a simple salmon seasoning to rub on the salmon filets then pop in the air fryer. The salmon is tender with a crispy top from the seasoning blend.
Crispy Salmon made in the air fryer is such a versatile main dish for dinner! Serve it with a side of roasted veggies like these honey roasted carrots or Roasted Brussels sprouts. For a carb, I love these crispy roasted potatoes or even just a simple rice or pasta.
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⭐Why I love It:
- Perfectly Cooked - The results are perfectly tender and flaky with a slightly crispy crust.
- Cooks in Under 10 Minutes - Salmon only takes about 7 minutes to cook in the air fryer. I also love using this technique with a sauce in this Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon recipe.
- Simple Ingredients - All you need are salmon filets and some staple spices.
🥘Ingredients:
A few staple spices mixed with brown sugar makes the best salmon seasoning. Here's what you need:
- Salmon Filets - You can use filets with skin or without skin. Also try making this Bang Bang Salmon Recipe or Salmon Pesto Pasta.
- Spices - Paprika, Garlic Powder, Dried Thyme, Salt and Pepper
- Brown Sugar - light or dark
- Cooking Spray
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔪Step by Step Instructions
It takes less than 15 minutes to make perfectly flaky and crispy salmon in the air fryer.
Photo 1 - Mix together the brown sugar and spices to make the salmon seasoning.
Photo 2 - Pat dry the salmon filets with a paper towel. With the skin side down, spread the salmon seasoning on top of each filet. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray then add the seasoned filets.
Photo 3 - Give the salmon a spritz with the cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 7-8 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. The cook time will vary based on the filet size.
Photo 4 - Serve immediately with sides of your choosing. Enjoy!
💭Recipe Tips:
- Check Cook Time - The cook time will vary depending on how thick your salmon filets are and if you prefer your salmon to be more medium or well done. The best way to check if it is cooked is with a fork to see if it flakes off easily.
- Pick Salmon Filets of Even Thickness - For even cooking, try to use salmon filets that are a similar thickness.
🍽Storage and Reheating
- Storage - Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating - Leftovers can be eaten cold or you can reheat it for just a couple of minutes in the air fryer. Be careful to not reheat it for too long or it will become dry.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
You do not need to flip salmon in the air fryer. If the salmon filet has skin, just put the skin side down. But even if your salmon doesn't have skin you still don't need to flip.
Salmon should be cooked to 145 degrees F. Another way to tell salmon is done is by using a fork - if it flakes easily, then it's cooked.
🍤Related Air Fryer Recipes
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PrintRecipe
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon
This Crispy Air Fryer Salmon recipe takes only minutes to cook, is flavorful, healthy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Mix up a simple salmon seasoning to rub on the salmon filets then pop in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Air Fryer, Main
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 single-serving salmon filets, with or without skin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Mix Seasoning - Mix together the brown sugar and spices in a small bowl to make the salmon seasoning.
- Prep Salmon - Pat dry the salmon filets with a paper towel. With the skin side down, spread the salmon seasoning on top of each filet.
- Air Fry - Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray then add the seasoned salmon filets. Give the salmon a spritz with the cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 7-8 minutes. The salmon is done when it can be flaked easily with a fork.
Notes
Salmon should be cooked to 145 degrees F. Another way to tell salmon is done is by using a fork - if it flakes easily, then it's cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece salmon
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 244.6 mg
- Fat: 5.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 25.4 g
- Cholesterol: 57.9 mg
Katie says
This is in my regular dinner rotation!
Robin Hansen says
Just made this salmon—AMAZING! Perfectly cooked at 400 degrees for 7 minutes! Loved the sweet savory seasonings! Made a great bowl with air fryer broccoli and quinoa rice! YUM!!!
Kathleen says
Yay!! I’m glad it turned out well!