7 Best Air Fryer Salmon Recipes

Launched to the market slightly over a decade in the past, the air fryer has change into extra fashionable than ever, because of its ease of use, the pace with which it cooks meals, and its comparatively small countertop footprint. Primarily a tiny convection oven, an air fryer works by blowing sizzling air over the meals within the basket that cooks and browns no matter you’re cooking. One of many largest promoting factors for air fryers is their capacity to prepare dinner meals in considerably much less time than it could take utilizing a standard oven.

Let’s set the scene: It’s Wednesday night and also you simply bought house from work after a hellish day and also you’re ravenous. You open the fridge to search for an choice for a fast, sizzling meal and solely discover a jar of marinade, some salmon, and a few (too) previous takeout. You suppose to your self, “I ought to actually throw that out.”  You then peruse the pantry and discover nothing however saltines, cans of tuna, some pasta sauce, and dried pasta. The previous is a tough go and the latter simply takes too lengthy.

All you need after a tough day is one thing good to eat that doesn’t take an hour. We’ve all been there, so we determined to place collectively a listing of one of the best air fryer salmon recipes that take lower than 20 minutes to prepare dinner.

A Few Pointers:

Salmon With Soy-Dijon Glaze

In case you’re on the lookout for a recipe with slightly Asian affect, this one from Effectively Plated is for you. The glaze of brown sugar, umami-rich soy sauce, and pungent Dijon mustard is an ideal pairing with salmon. The air fryer does its factor and creates a deeply caramelized fillet in about 10 minutes.

Whole: 18 minutes
Lively: 8 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Substances

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of floor ginger
• Salt and pepper to style

Technique

1. With paper towels, pat the salmon dry. Sprinkle frivolously on either side with salt and pepper.

2. For straightforward cleanup, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 levels Fahrenheit, based on the producer’s directions.

3. In a small bowl or bigger liquid measuring cup, combine collectively the brown sugar, Dijon, oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger (if utilizing). Spoon all around the high of the salmon.

4. Slide out the air fryer basket and set it on a heatproof floor. Place the fillets within the basket so that they aren’t touching.
5. Cook dinner the salmon within the air fryer for six to 11 minutes, relying on their thickness and your mannequin (fillets round 1 inch want 8 to 9 minutes). Don’t overcook it or the salmon will likely be dry. Salmon is finished when it registers 145 levels Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer.
6. Switch to a serving plate. Take pleasure in sizzling, with a sprinkle of extra salt and pepper as desired.

Paprika and Garlic-Rubbed Salmon

Paprika shouldn’t be solely an incredible seasoning alternative for fish however it additionally helps promote browning throughout cooking, guaranteeing you get a pleasant crust in the long run. This straightforward recipe from Really feel Good Foodie is a particular winner for a weekday fast and wholesome dinner. We suggest utilizing smoked paprika as an alternative of candy for a smoky, spicy kick.

Whole: 10 minutes
Lively: 8 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Substances

•  4 salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to style
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tartar sauce, for serving

Technique

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 levels Fahrenheit.

2. Rub every fillet with olive oil and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon within the air fryer and air fry for 7 to 9 minutes, relying on the thickness of the salmon. Please notice, the time might fluctuate between air fryers.

3. Open the basket and verify for the specified doneness with a fork. You possibly can return the salmon for one more 1 or 2 minutes as crucial.

Salmon With Entire-Grain Mustard Glaze

In our minds, including whole-grain mustard to absolutely anything is a good suggestion, particularly sauces and glazes. This superior recipe from Delish is a winner in our ebook for the glaze alone. Entire-grain mustard mixed with garlic, thyme, and brown sugar? Sure, please.

Whole: quarter-hour
Lively: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Substances

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to style

Technique

1. Season salmon throughout with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk collectively oil, mustard, sugar, garlic, and thyme. Unfold on high of salmon.
2. Organize salmon within the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400 levels Fahrenheit and prepare dinner for 10 minutes.

Spicy Dry-Rubbed Salmon

We’re massive followers of spicy dry rubs right here, so this recipe from Lexi’s Clear Kitchen is ideal. The spice rub is stuffed with south-of-the-border flavors like chili, garlic, and cilantro that basically sing with roasted salmon. A cilantro-lime crema on the aspect would actually take this dish into the stratosphere.

Whole: 10 minutes
Lively: 8 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Substances

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• Lemon wedges, optionally available for serving

Technique

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 levels Fahrenheit.
2. Rub every fillet with olive oil and season with the seasoning mix.
3. Place the salmon within the air fryer and set the air fry for 7 to 9 minutes; this will depend on the thickness of the salmon.
4. Open the basket and verify for the specified doneness with a fork. You possibly can return the salmon for one more 1 or 2 minutes as wanted.
5. Serve with optionally available lemon wedges and revel in!

Brown Sugar-Garlic Salmon

This recipe from The Recipe Critic could be our all-time favourite. Filled with taste from paprika, garlic, and chili powder alongside brown sugar and a touch of Italian seasoning, this dish is simply what we consider as a killer weekday dinner in lower than 20 minutes.

Whole: quarter-hour
Lively: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Substances

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to style

Technique

1. Salt and pepper the salmon. In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Rub on the salmon.

2. Within the basket of your air fryer, add the salmon pores and skin aspect down. Flip the air fryer to 400 levels Fahrenheit and prepare dinner for 10 minutes. If including asparagus, add to the basket after 5 minutes.

Cajun-Type Salmon

We couldn’t do a round-up of salmon recipes with out together with blackened salmon. This recipe from the Recipe Trainer offers us probably the greatest spice mixtures to pair with salmon. A Cajun spice-rubbed salmon fillet is tough to beat, particularly if it’s paired with an ice-cold Pilsner. It’s all the time finest to mix sturdy, full-flavored spices (like paprika, chili, and garlic) with proteins like salmon which have a high-fat content material and powerful taste.

Whole: quarter-hour
Lively: 8 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Substances

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon floor mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Technique

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400  levels Fahrenheit.
2. Brush salmon filets with olive oil.
3. Combine the dry components and generously apply them to the salmon.
4. Place seasoned salmon within the air fryer basket or the center tray place after which set the air fry to 400 levels Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes (relying on the thickness of the salmon). The salmon will likely be accomplished when the interior temperature is 145 levels Fahrenheit.
5. Take away from the air fryer and let it relaxation for two to three minutes earlier than having fun with.

Garlic Butter Salmon

Garlic butter is a traditional sauce for fish for a motive: It’s straightforward to make, it’s scrumptious, and the flavors pair superbly with something from the ocean. One of many easiest preparations, this recipe from On a regular basis Household Cooking is sure to be a weekly go-to dinner alternative. Make it a date evening (or simply deal with your self) with a bottle of white Burgundy to drink alongside the salmon.

Whole: quarter-hour
Lively: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Substances

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian parsley (or 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley)
• Salt and pepper to style

Technique

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 levels Fahrenheit.
2. Season the recent salmon with salt and pepper after which combine collectively the melted butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl.
3. Baste the salmon fillets with the garlic butter combination and thoroughly place the salmon contained in the air fryer aspect by aspect with the pores and skin aspect down.
4. Cook dinner for about 10 minutes till salmon flakes easily with a knife or fork.

Over time, the air fryer has cemented its place in our house kitchens for quick, roasted meals, and in contrast to the bigger countertop convection ovens, the air fryer can simply be tucked away in a cupboard whereas not in use. The air fryer does have some downsides, primarily the small measurement of the tray means you’ll be able to solely prepare dinner a small quantity of meals, however the execs positively outweigh the cons for this little equipment.

Whereas the air fryer won’t ever totally change a convection (or conventional) oven, it’s a machine that’s laborious to beat on the subject of making a fast and wholesome meal. In case you’re available in the market for an air fryer and on the lookout for some useful recommendation on which mannequin to select from, check out our information for one of the best air fryer deals round.

Editors’ Suggestions