We have tried several different ways to cook salmon, but this Air Fryer Salmon has become our new preferred way to cook it. The salmon cooks quickly and evenly in the air fryer, leaving you with tender, moist fillets and a lightly browned exterior. Best of all, there is very little preparation and cleanup, making it an excellent choice for a busy weeknight dinner.
The real star of this recipe is the simple glaze. Honey or brown sugar is combined with Dijon mustard, low-sodium soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and a touch of ginger to create a glaze that is sweet, savory, tangy, and just a little bit spicy. It complements the natural flavor of the salmon without overpowering it.
The salmon takes only about 8–9 minutes in many air fryers, although the exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets and your particular air fryer. Because salmon can quickly go from perfectly cooked to dry, start checking it toward the end of the cooking time. An instant-read thermometer is the easiest way to know when it has reached 145°F.
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 12 oz. salmon fillets 2 fillet, about 6 ounces each
- Pinch kosher salt
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey or alternatively, brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch ground ginger optional
Instructions
- With paper towels, pat the salmon dry. Sprinkle lightly on both sides with salt and pepper.
- For easy cleanup, line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- In a small bowl or larger liquid measuring cup, mix together the honey, Dijon, oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger (if using). Spoon all over the top of the salmon.
- Slide out the air fryer basket and set it on a heatproof surface. Place the fillets in the basket so that they are not touching.
- Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 6 to 11 minutes, depending upon their thickness and your model (fillets around 1 inch will need 8 to 9 minutes). Do not overcook or the salmon will be dry. Salmon is done when it registers 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer Check it a few times towards the end to make sure it doesn’t overcook, but is done to your desires.
- Transfer to a serving plate. Enjoy hot, with a sprinkle of additional salt and pepper as desired.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Art of Cooking Recipes (Paulson Pursuits} is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
