Make this easy air fryer salmon recipe with two different spice rubs. Learn how to season salmon for the air fryer to make the most tender, flaky salmon filets with delicious flavor in just minutes. You can cook this fish to perfection using your air fryer. It is perfect for a busy weeknight family meal.
More recently, our air fryer has become one of the most used kitchen appliance. We continue to find quick, healthy, and easy recipes to make that the whole family loves.
Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer
Are you looking for an easy way to cook salmon? The air fryer is a great option! In this post, we’ll show you how to season salmon for the air fryer. This simple recipe is the perfect way to get the full flavor of this dish. It’s also a great way to reheat leftover salmon.
You can use this air fryer recipe for cod, and haddock. Another option that is becoming more popular is grouper. The fish has high oil content and large flakes and is great for baking, grilling, broiling and even steaming. Here is a delicious grouper recipe to get you started.
Lunch or Dinner in Under 15 Minutes
One of the main reasons my family loves this air fryer salmon recipe is that the cook time is almost less than 10 minutes from start to a delicious finish. The salmon cooks quickly in the hot air so it is the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
There are many different ways to make a fast salmon dinner, but we believe this is one of, if not, the best way to cook salmon. Why? Because you do not have to use any oil making it a very nutritious food option. Just simple ingredients. Plus, it is so much less mess than deep frying and dinner is ready in less than 15 minutes.
How to Season Salmon for the Air Fryer
What seasoning is good on salmon
There are many delicious salmon rub options for salmon, but here are a few of our family’s favorite seasonings:
- lemon and black pepper (pairs well with drawn butter!)
- paprika
- maple barbecue dry rub (pairs well with sriracha sauce if you’re feeling adventurous)
How to make lemon pepper seasoning for salmon
Making your own lemon pepper seasoning is not difficult and tastes so much better than store bought.
You only need two ingredients: lemons and peppercorn.
Start by zesting your lemons and then oven drying the zest. (Make sure to avoid the white pith!) We usually use 5 lemons to a 1/4 cup of peppercorns. Pro Tip. Drying the lemon zest helps this recipe stay fresh for a few months on the pantry shelf when stored in an airtight container.
Drying the Lemon Zest. Layer the zest in a single layer and dry for about 2-3 hours checking occasionally for dryness. Once dried, combine with the peppercorns in a food processor or high-powered blender and process until mostly smooth.
You can also add salt to this mix, but I like to also salt and pepper my fish fillets to my taste so I leave it out.
Store in an airtight container or use right away!
How to make your own maple barbecue dry rub
It may sound daunting but making your own maple BBQ rub is easy! Plus, it will have you looking like a professional chef at your next cookout.
Maple Barbeque Dry Rub Recipe
Combine 1 tablespoon each of paprika, minced onion, garlic powder, chili powder, sea salt with 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns and 6 tablespoons of maple sugar.
Shake in a jar to combine.
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Worried about where to get maple sugar? Check with your local maple syrup producers otherwise you can also purchase it online. An alternative ingredient to this is brown sugar.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Under 10 Minutes
You can use fresh salmon or frozen salmon but be sure to thaw the frozen salmon in the refrigerator first. You will also want to begin preheating your air fryer as you prepare your salmon. Here is a simple breakdown of how to make the perfect salmon filets. It’s just a few easy steps.
- For best results, cut your fresh fish (or thawed) into similar sized pieces so they will cook evenly. Feel free to leave the skin on as it lends flavor and helps make this a nutritious meal
- Place your fish on a plate. You want about 4 to 6-ounce salmon fillets.
- Prepare your dry rub in a small bowl. You will need a couple tablespoons of your homemade rub or use a few tablespoons of store bought dry rub or seasoning
- Sprinkle your seasonings onto your fish and pat into the top, sides, and bottom. We find you want a thin coating all around your fish, not just the top of the filets
- Drizzle a touch of olive oil if you’d like, but it is not necessary. You can also do a quick spritz of cooking spray.
- Take your seasoned salmon and place it in the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook salmon in the air fryer for about 7-9 minutes. Since cooking time can vary for appliances and the thickness of the salmon will affect the cooking time, make sure to check the fish for doneness at 7 minutes.
How do you know when the salmon is done?
You know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and turns in an opaque light pink color. You can also test the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees at least using an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon. The USDA recommends 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but many find that dry as it will continue to cook even after you pull it from the heat source.
What sides to pair with salmon?
Salmon is very versatile and can be paired with many a side dish. Some of the best sides for salmon include:
- mashed potatoes
- asparagus, or air fryer asparagus
- side salad
- brown or wild rice
- mixed veggies
- brussels sprouts, also try air fryer brussels sprouts
You can also garnish this beautiful dish with things like parsley or fresh lemon wedges.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Under 10 Minutes
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Salmon
- 1 Teaspoon lemon and black pepper spice rub or BBQ spice rub
- Drizzle of Olive Oil or Spritz of spray oil
Instructions
- For best results, cut your fresh fish (or thawed) into similar sized pieces so they will cook evenly. Feel free to leave the skin on as it lends flavor and helps make this a nutritious meal1 Pound Salmon
- Place your fish on a plate. You want about 4 to 6-ounce salmon fillets.
- Prepare your dry rub in a small bowl. You will need a couple tablespoons of your homemade rub or use a few tablespoons of store bought dry rub or seasoning. Lemon and black pepper, and the BBQ dry rub seasoning recipe in the notes section.1 Teaspoon lemon and black pepper spice rub
- Sprinkle your seasonings onto your fish and pat into the top, sides, and bottom. We find you want a thin coating all around your fish, not just the top of the filets
- Drizzle olive oil if you’d like, but it is not necessary. You can also do a quick spritz of cooking sprayDrizzle of Olive Oil or Spritz of spray oil
- Take your seasoned salmon and place it in the preheated air fryer basket
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook salmon in the air fryer for about 7-9 minutes. Until tender and flaky.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
How to make lemon pepper seasoning for salmon
Making your own lemon pepper seasoning is not difficult and tastes so much better than store bought. You only need two ingredients: lemons and peppercorn. Start by zesting your lemons and then oven drying the zest. (Make sure to avoid the white pith!) We usually use 5 lemons to a 1/4 cup of peppercorns. Pro Tip. Drying the lemon zest helps this recipe stay fresh for a few months on the pantry shelf when stored in an airtight container. Drying the Lemon Zest. Layer the zest in a single layer and dry for about 2-3 hours checking occasionally for dryness. Once dried, combine with the peppercorns in a food processor or high-powered blender and process until mostly smooth. You can also add salt to this mix, but I like to also salt and pepper my fish filets to my taste so I leave it out. Store in an airtight container or use right away! How to make your own maple barbecue dry rub It may sound daunting but making your own maple BBQ rub is easy! Plus, it will have you looking like a professional chef at your next cookout.Maple Barbeque Dry Rub Recipe
Combine 1 tablespoon each of paprika, minced onion, garlic powder, chili powder, sea salt with 1 teaspoon of crushed peppercorns and 6 tablespoons of maple sugar. Shake in a jar to combine.Nutrition
Here are a few more new recipes for you to try out.
Other air fryer recipes.
