Air Fryer Salmon (Crispy/Cajun)

This Air Fryer Salmon is cooked to perfection in just 10 minutes with a minimum amount of oil. Yet it is crispy and golden brown outside and tender and succulent inside, making it one of those healthy and easy dinner ideas that the entire family will love-- just like our air fryer tilapia. 

Having a busy week? Me, too! That's one of the reasons why I love quick and easy dinner recipes-- like this salmon in air fryer that you can cook from fresh or frozen.

It calls for a few simple ingredients and is ready to eat in the blink of an eye. Plus, it’s a restaurant-quality dish that you will pay much less for when making it at home.

Ingredients and Substitutions 

To make this air fryer salmon recipe, you'll need the following: 

• Salmon fillets – Use 4-6 oz fillets to make this air fryer salmon with skin. The skin holds the shape of the fillets together better once cooked. You can buy them pre-cut or cut a whole salmon fillet into 4 oz or 6 oz fillets. Make sure to pat them dry before air frying them so that they can become crispy outside.
• Olive oil – You may use this or any other mild-flavored oil with a high smoking point such as avocado, canola, grapeseed, and sunflower oil.
• Garlic cloves – Make sure not to mince the garlic, but to finely grate it to form a paste and spread it over the salmon fillets. You can replace this with garlic powder if you prefer.
• Cajun seasoning – You may vary this air fryer salmon recipe by using a different seasoning blend such as Italian or taco seasoning. Because our air fryer salmon is keto or low carb, I don’t use brown sugar mixed with the seasoning. But you can add it if you want! I also love to sprinkle freshly ground black pepper on top of my salmon.
• Salt
• Lemon juice – Replace it with lime juice if you prefer. It will bring out all the flavors and is squeezed over the fillets right before serving them.
• Parsley – Use oregano or any other herb of your choice.

How to Make Air Fryer Salmon

1. To make this easy recipe, cut the salmon fillets into even sizes or purchase them already pre-cut into fillets. You can remove the skin if you’d like, but the skin will hold the shape of the fillet better after cooking. Make sure to cut or choose fillets of similar size or weight for even cooking.
2. Grease the air fryer basket with no-stick cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to prevent sticking. There is no need to preheat the air fryer unless you are cooking salmon from frozen.
3. Pat dry salmon with a paper towel for a crispy exterior!
4. Brush fillets with olive oil on top and sides, spread on grated garlic, and season with Cajun seasoning and salt on the top and sides as well.

5. Place the salmon in air fryer. Make sure to leave room between the fillets so that air can circulate.

6. Cook salmon at 400° F (220° C) for 10 minutes. The cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the fillet. The best way to check for doneness is to insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet. It must reach the recommended internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) according to the USDA.

7. Remove them from the air fryer and squeeze the juice of a lemon on top. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

What to serve with fried salmon in air fryer

• Grains and starches make filling sides to serve with this air fryer salmon, such as basmati rice, jasmine rice, Brazilian potato salad, mashed sweet potatoes, yuca fries, and butternut squash.
• Vegetables make a lighter and more nutritious option-- such as our Instant Pot Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots and parsnips, and Instant Pot Beets-- and you can even garnish with these pickled red onions. For a fresh side, pair our salmon dish with this raw salad, beet goat cheese salad, and homemade coleslaw.

Expert’s Tips 

• Make sure the salmon filets are about the same size or thickness. This will ensure that they all cook evenly at the same time. If your air fryer is small like mine, you may have to cook them in batches.
• Check for the desired doneness. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon fillet. It has to reach an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C). Or you can just eyeball it! When cooked, the flesh will show a faded/pale orange color and will flake off easily when a fork is inserted through it.
• Pat dry the salmon well for a crispy exterior.
• Preheat your air fryer if air frying salmon from frozen.
• Give preference to salmon with skin because it will hold its shape better after cooking. However, if cooking frozen salmon, use fillets without skin.
• Grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. I use no-stick cooking spray or olive oil!
• Don’t overcrowd your basket. This will prevent the hot air from circulating properly, affecting its crispness.
• After cooking, let salmon rest covered with aluminum foil for about 3 minutes to lock in the juices.

FAQ’S

Why Cook Salmon in Air Fryer?

It will require little olive oil or much less than when pan or deep-frying. It can cook fast and is mess-free.

I also love the fact  thatit is hands-off, so you can prepare the rest of your meal without worrying about flipping the salmon or splattering oil.

It’s also healthier than frying the fish, while still being crispy.

How to store air fried salmon?

Store air-fried salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or you can freeze any leftovers of air fryer salmon for up to 3 months. It is another of those easy freezer meals!

Make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight and then warm them until heated through.

Can I make Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer?

Yes! Just make sure to:

• Buy skinless salmon fillets -- They will stick less while thawing/cooking in the air fryer.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400° F (220° C) for about 5 minutes before cooking the salmon.
• Cook them from frozen for 7 minutes and then flip the fillets, spray or brush oil on them, and season well. Then, cook for 7 minutes more. It will take more time (about extra 4-5 minutes) to make air fryer frozen salmon than cooking them from fresh.

More air fryer recipes:

• Air fryer asparagus
• Air fryer chicken legs
• Also, Air fryer chicken wings
• Churros recipe
• Air fryer chicken thighs
• Air fryer shrimp

More fish recipes to enjoy:

• Fish soup
• Smoked salmon bites
• Easy grilled salmon
• Teriyaki salmon
• Baked cod
• Codfish shepherd's pie
• Bacalhau a lagareira
• Cod cakes

PIN & ENJOY!

 

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