This is the best Air Fryer Salmon recipe out there! Delicious, honey mustard-glazed salmon is tender and flaky, making the perfect weeknight main dish for dinner. This quick and easy seafood entrée will become a regular on your menu once you see how simple it is to pull together!
You’d think that after making 20+ different air fryer recipes the shock would have worn off.
But once again, this Air Fryer Salmon recipe has completely amazed me.
Salmon is often one of those dishes that can be extremely challenging to cook just right. Cook it too long and it gets tough and dried out. Not long enough, and well… you know the results of that.
For years I have stuck to either making Salmon in Foil or Lemon Dill Salmon that are both baked in the oven. It’s always somewhat predictably good, juicy, tender, and flaky.
But the one thing the oven lacked was that delightfully crispy crust that counteracts the delicate texture of the fish. And thanks to the circulation of hot air, that’s exactly what the Air Fryer can deliver.
Not to mention, the slightly sweet but mostly savory honey mustard sauce the salmon is coated in is absolutely INCREDIBLE.
Ingredients
To make this Air Fryer Salmon recipe you need:
- Salmon. Any type you’d like or can get will work. The fattier versions will taste the best. Verlasso is preferred because it’s sustainably raised and has a good balance of health benefits and flavor. Opt for fresh over frozen salmon, if possible.
- Soy Sauce. This salty and smooth staple is responsible for much of the flavor in the sauce. If preferred, use a gluten-free sauce or Tamari.
- Oil. Avocado or olive oil are best.
- Honey. Naturally sweet, it also adds a slightly crisp and caramelized topping. Can sub with pure maple syrup or agave.
- Mustard. Dijon will bring the most flavor, but traditional yellow will work, as well.
- Garlic. Finely minced garlic is needed to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite. ¼ teaspoon garlic powder can be subbed in a pinch
- Seasonings. A few common spices are needed like paprika, salt, and black pepper.
How to Air Fry Salmon
These are the steps to follow to make this Air Fryer Salmon recipe:
Prepare the Salmon
Place salmon skin-side down on a cutting board. Be sure to use a sharp knife.
Cut salmon into equal fillets. You can leave the skin on while cooking. It is really easy to remove after air frying and it also helps the salmon fillets to not stick to the air fryer basket.
Whisk and Marinate
Combine soy sauce, oil, honey, mustard, garlic, and seasoning in a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients until the sauce is smooth.
Add salmon fillets to a large bowl and cover with sauce. Alternatively, place the fish in a ziploc bag and pour the mixture over it.
Allow the salmon and sauce to marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Cook in Air Fryer
An important but often forgotten step is to preheat your 6-quart air fryer to 400 degrees for at least 3 minutes.
Once the air fryer is heated, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin side-down, onto the grate.
Cook salmon for 7-9 minutes, depending on thickness. The fish should flake easily with a fork in the fattest portion. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature in the thickest part of the salmon should be 145℉.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: You can cut and marinate salmon fillets for a couple of hours before cooking. However, fish should never sit in the sauce for more than 24 hours.
- To Store: Place salmon in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: It is possible to freeze salmon for up to 4 to 6 months, however, it is not recommended as the texture will be affected.
- To Reheat: Warm up salmon fillets in the oven until heated through. Or, place it back in the air fryer at 250℉ for a few minutes. You can also reheat the salmon in a skillet with a little bit of water.
Dietary Modifications
The recipe you’ll find below is already low-sugar, low-carb, and Paleo. as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:
- Keto: Swap out the honey for stevia or leave it out completely.
- Gluten-free: Be sure the soy sauce you are using is free of gluten or opt for tamari.
FAQs
Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ to cook salmon.
Depending on how thick the salmon fillet is, the cooking time can vary between 7 and 9 minutes. Generally, a 1-inch piece of salmon will take 8 minutes to cook at 400℉ in an air fryer.
The best way to check if your salmon is cooked is the flake test. Gently press on the top of the filet with a fork. If the meat gently flakes apart and separates easily, the salmon is cooked.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Show some skin. Leave the skin on the fish to keep the meat from sticking to the air fryer.
- Keep it even. Ensure you slice the salmon into similar-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Let it rest. Allow the salmon to marinate in the soy sauce mixture for 30 minutes before cooking so the meat is tender and soaks up more flavor.
- Get it hot. Don’t forget to preheat the air fryer so you get that nice, crispy exterior.
- Serve it right away. Salmon is absolutely best immediately after cooking so enjoy it quickly!
Make it a Meal
Try any of these tasty sides with this Air Fryer Salmon:
More Salmon Recipes
If this recipe has you craving more salmon, try one of these dishes next:
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut salmon into two equal-sized filets. You can either leave the skin on or remove it, if you’d prefer.
- Whisk the remaining ingredients in a large bowl until smooth and well combined. Add salmon filets and let marinate in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 400 degrees for at least 3 minutes. Once heated, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray and place the salmon filets, skin side-down, onto the grate. Cook salmon for 7-9 minutes, depending on thickness. The salmon should flake easily with a fork in the thickest portion.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and enjoy!
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Video
Notes
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: You can cut and marinate salmon filets for a couple of hours before cooking. However, fish should never sit in the sauce for more than 24 hours.
- To Store: Place salmon in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: It is possible to freeze salmon for up to 4 to 6 months, however, it is not recommended as the texture will be affected.
- To Reheat: Warm up salmon fillets in the oven until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
