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Sweet, savory, and smoky, this Crispy Air Fryer Salmon has incredible flavor for a recipe that’s so flipping simple! It’s a quick, easy dinner you’ll put on frequent repeat.
Salmon is the holy grail if you’re looking for proteins that are easy to make, quick to cook, and healthy to eat. It checks all the boxes! I love my Honey Glazed Salmon and Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa, but I developed this crispy air fryer salmon recipe when I wanted to come up with a dish that relied entirely on pantry staples—the kind of thing you can make on the fly when your dinner plans fall through and the salmon fillets in your freezer become Plan B. (Do you ever have those nights?! I definitely do!)
Using the air fryer to cook this easy salmon recipe is just icing on the cake, making it even quicker and easier—and crispier too!
When it comes to flavor, this crispy air fryer salmon has it in spades. The combination of sweet, savory, and smoky elements makes for a balanced and incredibly flavorful dish. The spice rub is so good, it has me wondering what else I can use it on…
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Salmon
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown both work.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Olive Oil – This is what helps the salmon get crispy.
- Salmon Fillets – You can use fresh or frozen fillets for this recipe, but thaw frozen fillets in the fridge first.
- Lemon – For serving, if you’d like.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Salmon
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Prepare. Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F and whisk together the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Season the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets dry, drizzle them with oil, and add the seasonings.
- Cook. Place the salmon in an air fryer basket and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve. Plate the salmon and serve with lemon, tartar sauce or garlic butter sauce, if desired.
I love this Air Fryer because it’s easy to use, easy to clean and has 9 different cooking modes. The price is right, too!
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Tips and Variations
Here’s how to make the best air fryer salmon ever!
- Don’t skip patting the salmon dry. This will help the seasoning stick and also help the salmon get crispier in the air fryer.
- Adjust cooking time based on thickness of salmon fillets. Thinner fillets will cook more quickly while thicker fillets will need a few extra minutes. Use your judgment! If it’s not done when you check, let it cook longer.
- Try different spice combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect flavor combination. Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or store-bought rubs will also work.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the salmon back in the air fryer at 350˚F for 3-4 minutes, or until it’s warmed through. This is the best way to restore the original crispiness! (The microwave works, but you’re not going to get the crispy factor.)
I also love using the leftovers to make salmon salad because then it doesn’t need to be reheated!
What to Serve With Crispy Air Fryer Salmon
- Garlic Parmesan Baked Asparagus
- Roasted Green Beans
- Rice Pilaf
- How to Steam Broccoli
- Roasted Zucchini
- Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Margherita Pizza
- The Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer French Toast
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Marmalade Sauce
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Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cayenne
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 (6-ounce) Salmon Fillets
- Lemon, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400˚F.
- Whisk together the brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and drizzle each fillet with a paper towel. Season the fish with the seasoning mixture and set aside.
- Arrange the salmon in the basket of an air fryer and air fry for 7-9 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon (cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer.)
- Open the air fryer and check for doneness with either an instant read thermometer or a fork. The fish will flake easily with a fork when done.
- Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, if necessary.
- Serve the salmon with tartar sauce or garlic butter sauce, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Would this recipe work for other types of fish? I’m not a salmon eater, but it sounds very flavorful!
Yes, we have used the same recipe for things like Halibut and Mahi Mahi.