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This air fryer salmon recipe makes tender, flaky salmon fillets with a savory herb coating and rich garlic butter finish. The air fryer cooks the fish quickly without drying it out, making this an easy main dish when you want a flavorful salmon dinner without much prep.
This simple method is one of my favorite ways to cook a salmon fillet in the air fryer. I originally tested it in my Ninja Foodi, but it works in other basket-style air fryers too. Use the seasonings below, or simplify things by replacing all of the spices with my Salmon Seasoning. Starting with frozen fish? Follow my Air Fryer Frozen Salmon instead. For smaller pieces with lightly crisp edges, try my Air Fryer Salmon Bites.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
- Quick and easy: Season the salmon, add it to the air fryer, and finish it with garlic butter. There’s very little prep or cleanup.
- Tender and flaky: The quick cooking time makes it easy to get juicy salmon without drying it out.
- Easy to customize: Use the original herb and spice blend, or replace all of the seasonings with my Salmon Seasoning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make these air fryer salmon fillets. See the recipe card below for exact amounts.
- Salmon: Use fresh or fully thawed salmon fillets. I use two 4-ounce sockeye salmon fillets in this recipe.
- Herbes de Provence: This herb blend adds plenty of flavor without overpowering the salmon. If you use my Salmon Seasoning, use it in place of the Herbes de Provence, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Olive oil: Avocado oil also works.
- Garlic butter: Melted butter adds a rich finish after the salmon cooks. I use my garlic herb butter, but plain butter or another seasoned butter works too.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Prep the salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and check for any remaining bones. Drying the surface also helps the oil and seasonings stick more evenly.
Oil and season
Rub the salmon with olive oil, then season both sides evenly with the herbs and spices.
Air fry until tender
Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook at 390°F. Start checking the fillets after 5 minutes since salmon can go from tender to overcooked quickly.
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Finish with garlic butter
Melt the garlic butter while the salmon cooks. Spoon or brush it over the hot fillets as soon as they come out of the air fryer, then serve.
Air Fryer Salmon Time and Temperature
I cook salmon in the air fryer at 390°F for about 5 to 8 minutes. The exact cooking time depends more on the thickness of your salmon fillets than their weight, so use the time as a starting point rather than relying on the timer alone.
Start checking the salmon after 5 minutes. If it needs more time, continue cooking in 1-minute increments.
The salmon should be tender and flake easily when it is done. If you’re using a food thermometer, the USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Tips for Tender Air Fryer Salmon
- Start checking early: Salmon can go from tender to overcooked quickly, especially with thinner fillets.
- Pay attention to thickness: A thicker salmon fillet will take longer than a thin piece of sockeye salmon, even if the fillets weigh about the same.
- Dry the salmon well: Removing excess moisture helps the oil and seasonings cling to the fish.
- Adjust for your air fryer: I tested this salmon in a Ninja Foodi air fryer, but other models work too. Since appliances can cook at slightly different rates, use the doneness of the salmon as your guide.
- I prefer skinless fillets for this quick method: The salmon cooks so quickly that the skin may not become especially crisp before the fish is done. If crispy skin is what you’re after, try my Crispy Skin Salmon instead.
- Watch the salt in seasoning blends: Herbes de Provence is often salt-free, but other blends may contain salt. Adjust the additional salt accordingly.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon
Turn the salmon into a simple dinner with one of these sides:
- Garlic Butter Rice
- Lemon Orzo Pasta
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Cauliflower Rice Risotto
Storage and Reheating
- Store: Keep leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, just until warmed through. Avoid reheating it longer than necessary so the salmon stays moist.
- Freeze: Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it before reheating.
More Easy Salmon Recipes
If you want to try a different way to make salmon, here are a few more options:
If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
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Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz Salmon, I used two 4-oz Sockeye Salmon filets
- 1 tsp Herbes de Provence
- 1/4 tsp Natural ancient sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Garlic Butter, You could swap this for another type of seasoned butter, regular butter, or butter mixed with lemon juice.
Instructions
- Dry your salmon with a paper towel and run your hand over the surface gently to ensure that there are no bones.
- Drizzle the olive oil on the fish and rub it in on both sides.
- Mix the seasonings and sprinkle them on both sides of the fish.
- Turn your air fryer on 390F and cook the salmon for 5-8 minutes. I recommend starting with 5 minutes, checking the fish, and then cooking in 1-minute increments until it flakes with a fork.
- Melt the seasoned butter for 30 seconds in the microwave and pour it over the fish before eating.
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Recipe Notes
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
Charlene says
Great recipe! I used it for trout instead and it came out delicious and loved the garlic butter topping. Thanks for the recipe, I’m fairly new to cooking fish in the air fryer and found your recipe from Google.
Davinah Cenou Montezuma says
I’m so happy that you enjoyed this one like I do, Charlene. Appreciate you stopping back to leave this review!
Jessica Raine says
Absolutely, hands down, the best Salmon I’ve ever made! This recipe is golden!!!!
Davinah Cenou Montezuma says
Thanks so much, Jessica!
William says
I made this last night and wow. That was some of the best salmon I’ve ever tasted! Super-easy but so, so good. To simplify, and use what I had on hand, I did replace the salt in the rub with garlic-salt and just used plain unsalted butter to pour over the filet at the end. I’m going to have to try making your seasoned butter for next time. This will be a new go-to recipe!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Robin says
My husband said this was restaurant quality. Made exactly as you directed. Awesome.
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Cornell Williams says
I made it exactly as you have stated and I must say that it’s the best salmon on earth
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We really appreciate you stopping back to write such a thoughtful review.
Jackie says
Had some salmon, looked for recipes and found yours. Made it and it was delicious! Thank you!!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We’re glad that you found our recipe. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
John Albert E. says
The Magic Salmon Seasoning is sensational! It provides the best flavor ever and also takes away the strong ‘fishy
taste of the Salmon. I made extra for later meals.
Davinah says
Hi John,
I’ve never tried this seasoning. Thanks so much for sharing the tip. Glad you enjoyed this 🙂
Best,
Davinah
Sharon says
This salmon dish is to easy to make that I can whip it up on my lunchtime and pair with a healthy side salad.
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We really appreciate you stopping back to write such a thoughtful review.
Haley D. Williams says
Delicious! I love how crispy the air fryer makes the fish. Can’t wait to make again!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
Thank you so much for trying our recipe. We’re glad you enjoyed it.
Mirlene says
This salmon is absolutely delicious. My family was asking for seconds and thirds. Can’t wait to make it again.
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
Thank you so much for trying our recipe. We’re glad you enjoyed it.
Emmeline says
This salmon is amazing!! I love quick salmon recipes for weeknights and this one sure hits the spot!
Dr. Davinah's Eats Team says
We really appreciate you stopping back to write such a thoughtful review.
Nelly Elayoubi says
How long would I cook for if using frozen salmon?
Thank you.
Davinah says
Hi Nelly,
I don’t include those instructions because cooking frozen meat & fish will cause them to toughen up. I recommend thawing all of your proteins out first using the cold water method. All you do is add the packaged fish to a large bowl and fill the bowl/cover the fish with water. It takes about 30 minutes.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Davinah
Jeena says
Hi, I made it yesterday. I used the salmon from Costco. Somehow, it was too dry. I had put 390, wondering if I should have tried with lower temp
Davinah says
Hi Jeena,
Generally, when fish gets too dry, it is because the fish is overcooked. Depending on the size, your fish can cook in ~5 minutes in an air fryer. When I make this, I start with 5 minutes, then check at 1-minute intervals until it flakes easily with a fork.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Davinah
Josh says
Are your fillets frozen
Davinah says
Hi Josh,
They were thawed before I cooked them.
Thanks,
Davinah
Michelle says
Made it twice so far, exactly as you have, and I must say, it’s the best salmon I have ever made. Can’t see any reason to make it any other way. Thank you , Dr. Davinah.
Davinah says
Hi Michelle!
Thanks so much for taking the time to review this! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it!
Best,
Davinah
Tanjiro says
I wonder what this recipe tastes like. I can’t wait to try this someday. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Davinah says
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope that you get the chance to make it.