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Air-Fryer Salmon

Air-Fryer Salmon

This Air-Fryer Salmon is quick, tender, crisp on the edges, and packed with bright lemon flavor. With just a handful of ingredients and a foolproof cooking technique, it’s perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or whenever you want something healthy and delicious without any fuss.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 2 fillets salmon (6 oz each) fresh or thawed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
  • 1 lemon lemon half sliced, half for serving
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes whole or halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil to coat garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if required by your model. A hot basket helps achieve crisp edges and prevents sticking.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush lightly with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. If using the garnish, slice half the lemon and toss the slices and cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
  4. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if applicable. Arrange lemon slices on top and scatter tomatoes around the fillets.
  5. Air fry for 5–7 minutes until the skin begins to crisp. Flip the salmon and cook 4–6 more minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
  6. Squeeze the remaining half lemon over the salmon before serving.

Notes

Thaw frozen salmon fully for best texture. Try adding smoked paprika, garlic powder, herbes de Provence, or chili flakes for variation. A small pat of butter before cooking adds richness. Thicker fillets may require 1–2 additional minutes. Serve with lemon-garlic yogurt sauce, pesto, grains, salads, or roasted vegetables.