Description
A quick and easy air fryer salmon recipe that delivers perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy flesh without the mess of traditional pan-frying. Ideal for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 ounces (170 grams) each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Step: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- Step: Brush the skin side lightly with olive oil, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using.
- Step: Let the fillets sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes if time allows.
- Step: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Step: Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Step: Cook for 7 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets using tongs.
- Step: Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes depending on thickness, until salmon flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare or 145°F (63°C) for fully cooked.
- Step: Let the salmon rest on a plate for 2 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Step: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
Pat salmon skin dry before cooking for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Resist poking or pressing the fillets during cooking to retain moisture and crisp skin. If smoke appears, spray water on the heating element. For extra crispiness, broil in the oven for 1-2 minutes after air frying, watching closely.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon skin, easy salmon recipe, healthy salmon, quick dinner, seafood, gluten-free, paleo