Air Fryer Salmon is amazing. Last night we came home after a long day and were debating whether to eat out or dirty the kitchen to cook dinner. The thought of cleaning another kitchen was exhausting. This healthy air fried salmon came to dinner rescue. 

air fryer salmon in basket

Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

This healthy air fried salmon came to the rescue and it definitely did not disappoint. We’re still overwhelmed at how quickly and perfect salmon can cook in the air fryer.

In fact, almost anything cooked in the air fryer always has come out wonderful. After our air fryer brussels sprouts recipe tests, we started experimenting more with this fantastic way to cook. It’s a great way to get dinner on the table, especially for two after a long day’s work.

air fryer salmon on spatula

Video of Healthy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

air fryer garlic herb salmon in basket

How to Make Healthy Salmon in Air Fryer with Little Oil

The salmon need very little oil and it was moist, tender and supremely delicious. We added a green salad and we were ready for dinner in less than 15 minutes.

  • We used our favorite oil spray and lightly misted the salmon with oil.
  • For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper or your favorite seasonings.
  • Make sure to add a light mist on top of any dried herbs that you place on the salmon. The herbs might fly off or burn from the hot circulating air.
  • We used fresh salmon not frozen. After air frying for the first 7 minutes, check on the salmon. If you want it more cooked, add additional 1-2 minutes or until it’s cooked to your preference.
  • This air fried salmon had the same texture as a perfectly baked salmon. Think of simple baked salmon the air fryer for dinner and without a dirty kitchen to have to clean. Dinner was way too easy and couch-time came sooner than we realized.
  • You can use any type of salmon.

Can you use frozen salmon?

Sure, but you should allow it to thaw completely. Air frying salmon that’s frozen will dry out the outside too much before the inside is cooked. It’s best to thaw it, then use paper towels to squeeze out all the excess moisture.

enjoy,

diane and todd

Healthy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Air Fried @whiteonrice

Air Fryer Salmon

Yield: 2 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
You'll need to adjust cooking times slightly if your salmon is smaller or larger than 6 oz. Salmon filets vary so much in length and thickness, so cook your salmon to your preferred texture. Here are options for either a simple salt and pepper salmon, or for a garlic herbed salmon.
4.83 from 23 votes
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Ingredients

  • 2 6 ounce (2 170g) fillets of salmon , skin and bones removed
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil or light spray of organic cooking spray
  • kosher salt or flakey salt, to taste
  • black pepper , to taste

Additional Seasoning for Garlic Herb Salmon

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic , or garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (dill, tarragon, thyme, parsley, etc.) or 2 teaspoons dried herbs

Equipment

Instructions 

For Salt & Pepper Salmon

  • Coat salmon with oil or cooking spray. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides (to make it extra special, use a nice flakey salt – our favorite is the Murray River Salt). Place salmon fillets in air fryer basket.
    Salt and peppered uncooked salmon in air fryer
  • Air Fry the salmon at 360°F/182°C for 7 minutes. Check the salmon and if needed, continue to air fry for 1-3 minutes or cooked to your preferred doneness. Serve warm.
    Air fried salt and pepper salmon in air fryer basket

For Garlic Herb Salmon

  • Coat salmon with oil or cooking spray. Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs. Coat both sides.
    Salmon fillets coated with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs on a plate
  • Place salmon fillets in air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between the fillets and they aren't touching.
    Garlic herbed raw salmon in air fryer basket
  • Air Fry the salmon at 360°F/182°C for 7 minutes. Check the salmon and if needed, continue to air fry for 1-3 minutes or cooked to your preferred doneness. Serve warm.
    Air fried garlic herb salmon in air fryer basket

Notes

Don’t crowd the air fryer basket (we used a 3.7 qt. air fryer). If you decide to double the recipe, make sure your air fryer is large enough to fit more of the salmon filets. With a fuller basket, add an 1-2 minutes of cooking time if needed to make sure the salmon is cooked through.
If cooking in multiple batches, the first batch will take longer to cook if Air Fryer is not already pre-heated.

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 259kcal, Protein: 33g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 74mg, Potassium: 833mg, Vitamin A: 70IU, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1.4mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 259

Our Favorite Air Fryer Tools

Evo Oil Sprayers
Evo Oil Sprayers

We LOVE the Evo Oil Sprayers. Great for grilling, air frying, and everyday cooking. They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!

Perforated Silicone Mat
Perforated Silicone Mat

Square Mats or Round Mats depending on your needs. Perforated non-stick silicone mats minimize food sticking in your air fryer or steamer. Holes allow the hot air to circulate, cooking quick & even.

Perforated Parchment Sheets
Perforated Parchment

Parchment sheets make clean up easy and minimize sticking food in your air fryer or bamboo steamer. Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.

What is the Best Air Fryer?

We have 15 different air fryers, all different brands and we definitely have our favorites.

Here’s our extensive write up on Air Fryer World’s Best Air Fryer Guide. There’s so many on the market now. You just need to research and find the ones that fits your needs, capacity and style. We group the basket style air fryers into 2 main size groups: 3-4 qt. range & the 5-6 qt. range.  There’s oven style and basket style. With so many to choose from, we highlight the ones that are most popular for small to medium sized families. Here’s our favorites:

Good Mid-Sized Air Fryers

Cosori 3.7 qt. Digital Air Fryer
Cosori 3.7 qt. Digital Air Fryer

The non-stick basket style (non-wire base) & smoothness of the basket tray is great for clean up. Easily cooks 2-3 servings of fish & meat.

Ninja 4 qt. Digital Air Fryer

Great ceramic coated basket for easy clean-up. Super powerful fan that often cooks food hotter & faster than other air fryers.

Good Larger Air Fryers

Gourmia 8qt Air Fryer
Gourmia 8 qt. Air Fryer

One of our favorite larger basket style air fryers. Great basket size for about 4 servings. Clean up is great. It has become one of our kitchen favorites.

Instant 10qt. Vortex Air Fryer
Instant 10 qt. Vortex Air Fryer

Instant Pot Brand makes air fryers. The Vortex plus 9-in-1 is beyond the conventional air fryer. Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Roast and Re-heat.

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