Yes, you can cook salmon fillets in an air fryer, as long as you season them well and cook at 375°F for about 8–12 minutes until flaky.
If you enjoy salmon but dislike babysitting a pan on the stove, the air fryer gives you an easier route. You place seasoned salmon fillets in the basket, press start, and a short time later you have tender fish with crisp edges and little cleanup.
This guide shows how to handle time, temperature, seasoning, and food safety so you can fully trust the results every time you cook salmon fillets in an air fryer.
Air Fryer Salmon Fillet Time And Temperature Guide
A simple timing chart helps more than any fancy trick. The table below assumes skin-on fillets that start at fridge temperature, cooked in a preheated air fryer.
| Fillet Thickness | Air Fryer Temp | Cook Time Range* |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch (thin tail pieces) | 360°F | 6–8 minutes |
| 3/4 inch | 375°F | 7–9 minutes |
| 1 inch | 375°F | 8–12 minutes |
| 1 1/4 inch | 390°F | 10–13 minutes |
| Skinless fillets, 3/4 inch | 370°F | 7–9 minutes |
| Frozen fillets, 3/4 inch | 390°F | 12–15 minutes |
| Thick center-cut fillets, 1 1/2 inch | 390°F | 12–16 minutes |
*Always check the thickest part with a thermometer or flake test instead of relying only on the clock.
Can I Cook Salmon Fillets In An Air Fryer? Time, Temp, And Texture
If you have wondered, can i cook salmon fillets in an air fryer?, the short answer is yes, and it works well for busy weeknights. Hot air moves around the fish, browning the surface while the inside stays moist, so you get the feel of oven-roasted salmon in less time.
The detail that separates great air fried salmon from dry, stringy fish is control over thickness, temperature, and timing. Thinner fillets cook fast and need gentle heat, while thicker pieces need a little more time at a slightly higher setting. A quick internal temperature check near the end of cooking removes guesswork.
Food safety agencies recommend cooking fin fish such as salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F, measured in the thickest part, until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If you prefer a softer center, you can stop the air fryer a minute earlier and let carryover heat finish the job while the fillets rest.
Benefits Of Cooking Salmon Fillets In An Air Fryer
Cooking salmon fillets in an air fryer keeps more control in your hands. You do not need to manage a hot skillet, and there is far less oil splatter on the stove or countertop.
The basket exposes more surface area, so the skin and edges of the salmon brown with only a light coating of oil. The compact space heats quickly, which lets you cook a couple of fillets even on a warm day without heating the whole kitchen. Once you dial in the right time and temperature for your favorite cut, you can repeat the same settings and still land on tender, juicy fish.
Preparing Salmon Fillets For Air Frying
A few small steps before the fish hits the basket make a big difference. Good prep leads to even cooking, better browning, and less sticking.
Choose The Right Salmon
For air fryer salmon fillets, center-cut pieces of even thickness work especially well. They cook at the same rate from end to end, which keeps the thin tail from drying out before the thicker half is done.
Pat Dry And Season Well
Moisture on the surface of the fish turns to steam and slows browning. Before seasoning, pat each fillet dry with paper towels on all sides, including the skin. This step helps the oil and seasoning cling to the salmon instead of sliding off into the basket.
Brush or spray a thin layer of oil on the fish, then sprinkle on kosher salt, black pepper, and any other spices you like. A classic mix is garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest. For skin-on fillets, you can season both sides, but keep the heavier coating on the flesh side.
Marinades And Rubs That Work
Short marinades add flavor without changing the texture of the fish. Acidic ingredients such as lemon juice or vinegar need only 15–30 minutes in the fridge to do their job.
Dry Rub Mix
Mix salt, pepper, brown sugar, dried herbs, and a pinch of chili flakes, then press the blend onto the oiled fillets.
Step-By-Step Air Fryer Salmon Fillet Method
Once your salmon is trimmed, dried, and seasoned, the air frying part is simple. Think of it as a three-step flow: preheat, cook, and check.
Preheat And Prepare The Basket
Set your air fryer to 375°F for most average-thickness salmon fillets. Let it preheat for 3–5 minutes so the basket is hot when the fish goes in. A hot basket reduces sticking and starts browning right away.
If your air fryer basket tends to stick, line it with a perforated parchment sheet or lightly grease the metal with a high smoke point oil. Avoid laying fillets on solid foil, since blocked airflow can keep the salmon from crisping up.
Arrange The Salmon Fillets
Place the salmon fillets in a single layer, skin side down if the skin is still on. Leave a little space between pieces so hot air can flow around each one. When salmon fillets overlap in the air fryer, parts of the fish steam instead of roasting.
Cook And Check For Doneness
Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of one fillet. Food safety guidance lists a safe minimum internal temperature for fish of 145°F, or until the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Pull the basket once you reach that point, then let the salmon rest for 3 minutes.
If you like a softer, restaurant-style center, you can stop the cooking at 125–130°F and let the fillets rest in the hot basket. The temperature will climb a few degrees, giving you moist salmon with a delicate center.
Timing Adjustments For Different Types Of Salmon Fillets
Not every salmon fillet looks the same. Some are skinless, some are cut from the thicker end of the fish, and some come straight from the freezer. With a few small tweaks, the same basic method still works.
Skin-On Versus Skinless Fillets
Skin-on fillets handle air fryer heat well. The skin acts as a natural barrier between the basket and the delicate flesh, which helps prevent sticking and dryness. For crisp skin, keep the fillets skin side down the whole time, then serve skin side up.
Skinless fillets brown a little faster and can dry if the heat is too high. When you cook them, grease the basket, lower the temperature by about 5°F compared with skin-on fish, and start checking for doneness a minute early.
Fresh Versus Frozen Salmon Fillets
Fresh salmon fillets in an air fryer give you the most control, since they start at fridge temperature and thawing is not part of the process. Pat them dry, season, and cook right away.
You can also put frozen salmon fillets in an air fryer when time is tight. Rinse off any ice glaze, pat the fish dry, brush on oil, and season. Expect to add 3–5 minutes to the cooking time compared with similar fresh fillets.
Thick Center-Cut Pieces
Thicker center-cut fillets benefit from a brief lower temperature phase. Start them at 360–370°F for a few minutes so the heat can move toward the center, then finish at 380–390°F to crisp the top.
With thick pieces, the question can i cook salmon fillets in an air fryer? often comes down to patience. Give the fish enough time for the middle to reach your preferred doneness instead of chasing color on the surface alone.
Flavor Ideas For Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Once you have a basic method, flavor variations keep air fryer salmon from feeling like the same meal every time. Simple pantry ingredients and herbs go a long way.
Lemon Garlic Salmon
Stir together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and a small squeeze of lemon juice. Brush the mixture over the fillets before cooking, then finish with fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges at the table.
Herb Butter Salmon
Combine softened butter with chopped dill, chives, and a little lemon zest. Place small pats of herb butter on top of each seasoned fillet right before air frying. As the butter melts, it bastes the salmon and keeps the top moist.
Food Safety And Nutrition Tips For Air Fryer Salmon
Safe handling matters just as much as time and temperature. Keep raw salmon cold until you are ready to cook, wash your hands and cutting board after trimming the fish, and chill leftovers within 2 hours.
Health agencies list salmon as a fish that fits neatly into regular meal plans thanks to its protein and omega-3 fat content. Public guidance from the FDA advice about eating fish encourages most adults to include seafood such as salmon several times a week, while paying attention to local advisories and personal health needs.
On the cooking side, food safety charts from FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature for fish call for an internal temperature of 145°F or opaque flesh that flakes easily. A digital thermometer takes only a second to use and keeps guesswork away.
| Doneness Level | Internal Temp Range | Texture Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Just Cooked | 125–130°F | Deep color, moist, center still soft |
| Medium | 130–135°F | Flakes easily, center moist and slightly soft |
| Well Done | 140–145°F | Fully opaque, flakes in large pieces |
| Overcooked | Over 150°F | Dry, chalky, edges starting to curl |
| Undercooked | Below 120°F | Translucent center, does not flake |
Common Mistakes When Cooking Salmon Fillets In An Air Fryer
Crowding The Basket
When salmon pieces touch or overlap, steam gets trapped and the fish cooks unevenly. Cook in batches if needed so each fillet has space. The tradeoff in time pays off in texture.
Skipping The Thermometer
Guessing by color alone often leads to overcooked salmon. Thermometers designed for meat and fish are affordable and easy to use. A quick temperature check gives you confidence to pull the basket at the right moment.
Using Too Much Sauce
Thick, sugary sauces can burn in the air fryer before the salmon finishes cooking. If you love sticky glazes, cook the salmon plain first, then brush on the sauce and add a short second cook just to set the surface.
Final Tips For Better Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Air frying salmon fillets turns a fast dinner into something that feels special without demanding extra effort. Once you learn how your own machine behaves with a typical batch, the method becomes second nature.
Start with even, center-cut fillets, dry them well, season simply, and follow the time and temperature ranges in the chart near the top of this article. Use the thermometer, trust the flake test, and keep notes the first few times you cook. With those habits in place, you will have a steady way to cook salmon fillets in an air fryer that your table looks forward to eating.