how to cook salmon in air fryer

Cooking air fryer salmon with skin creates a crispy skin while keeping the salmon flesh nice and flaky.

This easy and healthy recipe is made with butter and garlic for maximum flavor. It’s accidentally low carb and keto friendly too!

Pair it with veggies for the perfect healthy meal.

How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees.

STEP TWO: Season your salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley in a bowl then baste the fillets with the garlic-butter mixture.

Raw salmon in an air fryer skin-side down.

STEP THREE: Lightly spritz your air fryer basket with oil using an EVO Oil Mister or put down a piece of parchment paper or foil.

Carefully place the salmon in the air fryer basket with the skin side down.

STEP FOUR: Air fry salmon for about 10 minutes until easily flaked with a fork

Raw salmon in the air fryer with garlic butter mixture on top

What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon

TIPS For the Best Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

Use wild-caught salmon for the healthiest and most flavorful salmon
Spray your air fryer basket with a little EVOO or use a parchment round to help avoid the fish from sticking
If using a sockeye salmon, check for doneness around 7 minutes as this cut tends to be smaller than Atlantic salmon
Test your air fried salmon for doneness by taking a fork and slicing it into the salmon — it is done cooking when it flakes easily and when the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees and its thickest point
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days then use the reheating directions below
Use salmon filets and not salmon steaks for this recipe to get the best results

Garlic Salmon on a white plate with green beans and a lemon

How Long to cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

Air fried salmon takes about 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Does Salmon Go Skin Side Down in the Air Fryer?

Yes, salmon and any other fish should cook skin down in the air fryer. This allows for even cooking and ease of removing the fish from the air fryer.

Air fryer baskets have holes in them and can cause the flesh of the fish to stick — which is why I advise using a parchment round or silicone liner when cooking salmon in the air fryer without the skin.

Wide angle view of a marble counter with garlic salmon and green beans on a white plate with a grey and white table runner in the middle

What Temperature Should Be in the Air Fryer?

Air fry salmon at 360 degrees for even cooking.

It is considered cooked medium at 125 degrees F at its thickest point.

Variations for Air Frying Salmon

Add brown sugar or maple syrup for a sweetened version of this air fryer salmon recipe
Use dijon mustard with some lemon slices for a different seasoned salmon recipe
Create a honey glazed salmon with some honey and soy sauce marinade
Change up the seasoning entirely with some garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or even some Magic Salmon Seasoning
Use sweet chili sauce or garlic chili sauce to make a spicy salmon recipe

Vertical image of Air Fryer Garlic Salmon on a white plate with green beans and a lemon

How to Reheat Salmon in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees.
Place leftover salmon in the air fryer with the skin side down and cook for 4 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer and enjoy immediately.

Do You Have to Flip Salmon in the Air Fryer?

No, salmon with the skin does not need to be flipped when cooked in the air fryer.

Since one side is skin and the other is flesh, salmon works best when cooked with just the skin side down.

If wanting an extra crispy skin, you can flip the salmon filet in the air fryer with 3 to 4 minutes left of cooking.

Garlic Butter Salmon that is shown flaking on a white plate with green beans and a lemon

How to Cook Air Fryer Frozen Salmon Fillets

You can also try this frozen salmon in the air fryer recipe for a different flavor combination!

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees and place the frozen salmon fillets, skin side down, in the basket side by side.
Cook the frozen salmon for about 4 minutes. This should help thaw the salmon so you can season it and baste the garlic butter mixture on top.
Now cook the recipe as normal and you have a delicious air fryer garlic butter salmon!

It’s important to thaw the grilled fish before placing an oil mixture on top so it can penetrate and bring out the flavor of the fish.

More Air Fryer Salmon Recipes

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Total Time
15 minutes

Ingredients

2 (6-ounce) boneless, skin-on salmon fillets (preferably wild-caught)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh Italian parsley, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees.
Season the fresh salmon with salt and pepper then mix together the melted butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl.
Baste the salmon fillets with the garlic butter mixture and carefully place the salmon inside the air fryer side-by-side with the skin side down.
Cook for approximately 10 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a knife or fork.
Eat immediately or store up to 3 days using the reheating directions below.

Notes

How to cook air fryer frozen salmon fillet:

Cook frozen salmon fillets in a preheated air fryer at 390 degrees for about 4 minutes, skin side down to thaw. Then follow the recipe above as if the fish fillets were fresh.

How to reheat salmon in an air fryer:

Cook salmon in a preheated air fryer set at 370 degrees for approximately 4 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2

Serving Size:1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 338Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 309mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 25g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.