Salmon in the Air Fryer

I’ll admit it: seafood can be a challenge to cook. Keep it in the pan too long, and it’s dried out. Putting fish on the grill always runs the risk of it falling through the grates. That’s why I love that I discovered how you can cook seafood, and specifically salmon, in the air fryer.

Salmon in the Air Fryer

One of the beauties of cooking salmon or any seafood in the air fryer is that it is pretty difficult to do it wrong. Many air fryers have a seafood setting that you can select. So, for example, if you want to cook a shrimp recipe in it, such as air fryer prawn toast, you’re good to go.

Then, from there, you can adjust the temperature or timing so everything comes out just right. I’m confident you’ll find this recipe to work in your favor when you’re looking to add fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.

Oh, and did I tell you the best part? At most, the cook time is 10 minutes. Prep time? Five minutes. So, dinner in 15 minutes and you didn’t have to microwave anything. This is a great option if you’re making bruschetta salmon.

If you’re interested in giving your salmon a distinctly Indian flavor, you could always try a Masala fish fry.

Ingredients Overview and Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Brush both sides of the salmon filets with avocado oil.

Season the filets with salt and black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated

Grate the zest from the fresh lemon over the salmon filets, distributing it evenly.

Place the salmon filets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin-side down.

Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes.

Serve the air fryer salmon with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish before enjoying. Garnish with parsley if so desired.

Notes about salmon in the air fryer

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Now onto my additional notes about this recipe.

1. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon filets. Thicker filets may require slightly more cooking time, while thinner filets might cook faster.
2. It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even and consistent cooking.
3. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. It’s one of the reasons we upgraded our air fryer to the Instant Vortex 6QT XL Air Fryer, 4-in-1. It has a square fryer basket and more space that our original and smaller air fryer.
4. You can customize the seasoning by adding other herbs or spices like dill, garlic powder, or paprika according to your taste preferences.
5. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon to ensure it reaches the recommended safe temperature of 145°F (63°C).
6. The fresh lemon zest adds brightness and enhances the flavors of the salmon. Make sure to distribute it evenly over the filets before cooking.
7. Serve the air fryer salmon with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables, risotto or a fresh salad for a complete and delicious meal.