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You don’t need to do any extra tedious work with this air fryer salmon with skin recipe! The skin keeps the fish moist as it becomes deliciously crispy.

Air Fryer salmon with skin cooked in air fryer basket.

The air fryer has to be my favorite small kitchen appliance (well, maybe other than our espresso machine). When it comes to my favorite foods to make in the air fryer, salmon is my #1 go-to. If I’m really short on time and need to get dinner on the table quick, this air fryer salmon with skin takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, which is AMAZING in my book.

If you love salmon and have an air fryer, there’s no reason why you can’t have a perfect fillet several times a week. With this method and recipe, get ready to have a moist, tender, and flakey salmon each time with only four simple ingredients.

Air fryer recommendation: Looking for an air fryer? I love this one.

Making the Perfect Air Fryer Salmon

I’m all for no-brainer recipes, and this recipe is exactly that. It takes minimal prep work but yields maximum taste. And just FYI, there’s no need to preheat the air fryer!

  • Season the salmon: Cut the salmon into even fillets, then season with the garlic parsley salt.
  • Assemble the fillets: Place the fillets skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Top the salmon: Place a slice of butter and a slice of lemon on each piece of salmon.
  • Air fry the salmon: Air fry the salmon at 400°F for 8-12 minutes or until the salmon reaches 145°F. Once cooked through, serve and enjoy!

Hot tip: Air fried salmon works great as the main protein for dinner along with an air fryer baked potato, air fryer asparagus, or any other veggie you’re craving. But, the goodness doesn’t stop there. Air fryer salmon is also great in a fish sandwich or as a salad topper!

Salon seasoned in a tray
Salmon in a airfryer basket with butter and lemon

5 Tips for the Best Air Fried Skin-On Salmon

While making air fryer salmon is as easy as “setting and forgetting”, here are a couple of handy tips to help you consistently take your fillets to the next level.

  • Season the fish generously: Salmon typically requires a little extra seasoning, so don’t be shy. Make sure the fillet is well-coated in the garlic parsley salt and you’ll be good to go.
  • Top the salmon with butter to add moisture: To prevent the salmon from drying out in the high heat, top each fillet with a couple slices of butter.
  • Use fresh skin-on salmon: Using salmon with the skin-on helps keep all the juices inside the fish, keeps the meat together, and protects the salmon from overcooking. If you’re not a fan of the skin, you can easily remove it after cooking. Also, opt for fresh salmon instead of frozen whenever possible for the best results. If you must, make sure your frozen salmon is fully thawed before attempting to air fry it.
  • Use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness: If you’re unsure if your salmon is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 145°F. For the most accurate reading, stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon fillet.
  • Adjust the cooking time: Depending on how thick your salmon fillets are, the cooking time may vary. Lower the cooking time if the fillets are thinner and increase it if they are on the thicker side.

Air Fryer Salmon Video Tutorial

Different Salmon Seasonings

This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to use any combination of seasonings you like best. If you need inspiration, find some tasty ideas here.

  • Cajun-Style: Season the salmon fillets generously with Cajun seasoning for a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
  • Honey Mustard: Whisk 1/4 cup of dijon mustard with three tablespoons of honey. Brush the tops of the salmon fillets with the mixture for a sweet and salty taste.
  • Slavic-Style: Season the salmon fillets with smoked paprika, black pepper, & garlic powder for an Eastern European twist. Once they come out of the air fryer, top them with fresh parsley or dill.

Hot tip: Pat the salmon fillets with a paper towel before seasoning to help the dry seasonings “stick” better.

Salmon on a plate with broccolini.

Storing & Reheating Best Practices

Salmon is prone to drying out and developing a tough crust in storage. Follow these tips to do what I’ve learned is best when it comes to storing and reheating salmon.

  • Refrigerator: To store salmon for up to three days, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge (this also prevents the fish from smelling up your fridge!).
  • Reheating: To reheat the salmon, place it back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Top it with a little more butter and lemon to add moisture.

More Salmon Recipes

Recipe

Air fryer basket with cooked salmon.

Perfect Air Fryer Salmon with Skin

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Servings
2 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
You don't need to do any extra tedious work with this air fryer salmon with skin recipe! The skin keeps the fish moist as it also becomes deliciously crispy.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb salmon fillet
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter sliced
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 1 tsp garlic parsley salt adjust to taste
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients for the recipe.
    Ingredients for air fryer salmon
  • Season the salmon fillets with garlic parsley salt.
    Salon seasoned in a tray
  • Place the fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side down. Top each fillet with butter and lemon slices.
    Salmon in a airfryer basket with butter and lemon
  • Air fry the salmon at 400°F for 8-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillets) or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
    Cooked salon in a plate
Nutrition Facts
Perfect Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 155mg52%
Sodium 1265mg53%
Potassium 1189mg34%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 46g92%
Vitamin A 452IU9%
Vitamin C 29mg35%
Calcium 45mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted May 20, 2022

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.