How Do I Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer? | Simple Steps

Air fryer salmon is one of those dinners that feels special but still fits into a weeknight. If you’re staring at a pack of fillets and wondering how long, what temperature, and whether you need foil, this guide gives you a clear method that works for most home air fryers.

You’ll learn how to season the fish, how to keep it moist in the hot air of the basket, how thick fillets change the timing, and how to tell when salmon is cooked through without drying it out.

You’ll also see safe internal temperatures, thawing tips for frozen salmon in the air fryer, plus a few quick flavor ideas and serving tips so dinner tastes balanced and feels easy.

How Do I Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer? Step-By-Step

Here is a simple base method you can repeat and tweak. It assumes skin-on or skinless fillets about 1 inch thick and a basket-style air fryer.

Step 1: Pat The Salmon Dry

Remove the salmon from its packaging and gently pat every side dry with paper towels. Dry surfaces brown better in an air fryer and help the oil and seasonings cling instead of sliding off in the heat.

Step 2: Season And Oil The Fillets

Drizzle the fillets with a thin layer of olive oil or another high-heat oil. This helps prevent sticking and keeps the surface from turning leathery.

Sprinkle salt and ground black pepper on both sides. From here you can add garlic powder, smoked paprika, lemon zest, or a ready-made seafood seasoning. Avoid thick, sugary glazes at this stage because they burn in the intense air flow; add those near the end.

Step 3: Preheat The Air Fryer

Set the air fryer to 380°F and let it run empty for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket gives you better browning and more predictable cook times.

Step 4: Arrange And Cook The Salmon

Lay the salmon in a single layer in the basket, skin side down if the skin is still on. Leave a little space between pieces so hot air can move around each fillet.

Air fry at 380°F for about 9–12 minutes. Thinner pieces can finish closer to 8–9 minutes, while thick center-cut fillets may reach the safe internal temperature closer to 12 minutes.

Air Fryer Salmon Time Guide By Cut

Salmon Cut	Typical Thickness	Time Range At 380°F
Thin tail fillet piece	1/2 inch	7–9 minutes
Standard fillet portion	3/4–1 inch	9–12 minutes
Thick center-cut fillet	1–1 1/4 inches	11–13 minutes
Salmon steak	1–1 1/2 inches	12–14 minutes
Frozen fillet (no thaw)	3/4–1 inch	13–16 minutes
Salmon bites or cubes	1 inch chunks	6–9 minutes
Whole side that fits basket	1–1 1/4 inches	14–18 minutes

Use these times as a guide and adjust for your model, basket size, and how tightly the salmon sits in the fryer. A crowded basket traps steam and slows browning, so two batches can give better texture than squeezing everything in at once.

Step 5: Check Temperature And Rest The Fish

Near the end of the time range, slide a thin thermometer into the thickest part of a fillet. Public food safety guidance, like the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart, lists 145°F (63°C) as the safe internal temperature for fish such as salmon, where the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Once the thickest spot hits 145°F, pull the basket and let the salmon rest for 3–5 minutes. Carryover heat finishes the center while juices settle back into the flesh.

Air Fryer Salmon Basics And Cut Choices

Good results start before you even turn the air fryer on. The cut you pick and the way you thaw it both change how neatly the salmon cooks.

Fresh Vs Frozen Salmon For The Air Fryer

Both fresh and frozen salmon work well in an air fryer. Frozen portions are convenient and often cheaper, but they shed extra moisture, so they need a little extra time and plenty of space in the basket.

If you can plan ahead, thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator on a tray. For a faster option, keep the fillets in their packaging and place them in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 20–30 minutes until the fish is soft but still cool.

Skin-On Or Skinless Fillets

Skin-on salmon handles air fryer heat better because the skin shields the delicate flesh from direct contact with the hot basket. The skin also adds flavor and holds the portion together when you lift it out.

If you prefer skinless salmon, spray the basket lightly with oil and avoid moving the fillets once you set them down. When the fish releases easily and flakes when pressed with a fork, it is ready to lift with a thin spatula.

Best Thickness For Air Fryer Salmon

For a reliable air fryer cook, aim for pieces that are 3/4 to 1 inch thick at the center. Thinner pieces can dry out before the middle reaches 145°F, while extra thick slabs need longer cooking and can over-brown on the surface. If your fillet has a thin tail, fold that end under itself so it matches the thickness of the center.

Air Fryer Salmon Time, Temperature, And Doneness

Time charts give you a starting point, but internal temperature and texture tell you when salmon in the air fryer is actually done.

Recommended Internal Temperature For Salmon

Agencies such as the USDA and FDA recommend cooking fin fish like salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Both agencies list this number in their seafood safety guidance to limit the risk of foodborne illness while still keeping the fish moist.

In real kitchens many cooks prefer the center just slightly translucent. If you decide to stop cooking around 130–135°F for a softer texture, reserve that approach for high-quality salmon from a trusted source and understand that it carries more risk than following official 145°F guidance.

For more detail on fish doneness and safety, the FDA shares clear advice in its seafood safety guidance.

Signs That Air Fryer Salmon Is Done

• The thickest part reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
• The flesh looks opaque from edge to center, with no glassy raw spots.
• The fillet flakes when pressed gently with a fork, but still looks juicy, not chalky.
• The skin feels crisp and pulls away from the basket with little effort.

If you do not own a thermometer, pick one of the thicker fillets and use a small knife to peek at the center. You want the color to turn from shiny and translucent to a more opaque shade, with flakes that separate but still look moist.

Cooking Salmon In The Air Fryer For Different Portions

Not every piece of salmon in the air fryer looks the same. A chunky steak, a tidy 6-ounce fillet, and bite-size cubes all behave a little differently under hot air.

Use the base method from earlier, then adjust time and arrangement to match the style of cut you use on a busy night.

Individual Fillets And Salmon Steaks

For individual fillets and steaks around 1 inch thick, 380°F for 9–13 minutes is a good range. Place them in one layer, tuck thinner ends under, and rotate the basket once during cooking if your air fryer has hot spots.

Salmon Bites Or Cubes

Cut the salmon into even 1-inch cubes, toss with oil and seasoning, then spread in a loose single layer. These small pieces cook faster, so start checking around 6 minutes and stop when the edges brown and the centers flake.

Cooking A Whole Side Of Salmon

If your air fryer basket or tray is large enough to hold a whole side, line it with parchment paper or a thin layer of foil for easier lifting. Cook at 360–380°F for 14–18 minutes, checking the thickest part near the center backbone area. The thinner edges will cook first, so you can shield them with a strip of foil once they look done.

If you often ask yourself, “how do i cook salmon in the air fryer?” for weeknight dinners, matching the cut and thickness to a clear time range like this removes guessing and helps you repeat a successful result.

Seasoning Ideas For Air Fryer Salmon

Plain salt, pepper, and oil give you a clean salmon flavor, but a few pantry ingredients can switch the dish from bright and citrusy to smoky or sweet-savoury without extra effort.

Simple Everyday Seasonings

For an everyday dinner, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Brush this over the salmon before it goes into the air fryer, then add fresh herbs like dill or parsley after cooking so they stay fresh and green.

Bigger Flavors Without Burning

Spice blends with sugar or honey glazes tend to darken quickly in a hot air fryer. To keep flavor while avoiding burnt spots, season the salmon lightly at the start, air fry most of the way, then brush on a thin layer of glaze for the last 2–3 minutes.

Quick Air Fryer Salmon Seasoning Combos

Seasoning Ideas For Air Fryer Salmon

Flavor Style	What To Mix	Best Side Dishes
Lemon Garlic	Olive oil, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, pepper	Roasted potatoes, green beans, simple salad
Honey Soy	Soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger, sesame oil	Rice, steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables
Smoky Paprika	Olive oil, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper	Corn, black beans, avocado slices
Herb Butter	Soft butter, parsley, chives, lemon juice, salt	Mashed potatoes, asparagus, crusty bread
Cajun Style	Store-bought Cajun seasoning, oil, extra garlic powder	Rice, corn on the cob, coleslaw
Pesto Coating	Prepared basil pesto thinned with a little oil	Pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach
Maple Mustard	Maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper	Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, wild rice

Keep spreads and glazes in a thin layer so they caramelize instead of burning. If you notice dark spots near the end of cooking, drop the temperature by 10–20°F and finish for an extra minute or two.

Common Air Fryer Salmon Mistakes To Avoid

Even a solid method can go sideways if a few silent problems creep in. Here are frequent issues people run into when they cook salmon in the air fryer and what to do instead.

Overcrowding The Basket

When fillets touch or overlap, steam gets trapped and the salmon steams more than it roasts. Cook in two rounds if needed so air can move around each piece; the second batch often cooks faster in a hot basket, so check a minute or two early.

Starting With Uneven Pieces

One thin tail piece and one thick center cut will never finish at the same time. Try to group similar sizes in the same batch, or cut a large fillet into two pieces so you can pull the thin one first.

Skipping The Thermometer

Air fryers vary in strength, and dial markings are not always exact. A small digital thermometer removes guesswork and keeps salmon from drifting past juicy into dry.

Using Too Much Sauce Too Early

Heavy sauces and thick marinades slide off in the fan and burn on the heating element. Keep most sticky sauces for the final few minutes, or serve them on the side for dipping.

Serving Suggestions And Leftovers

A plate of air fryer salmon works with many side dishes. Think roasted or air-fried vegetables, cooked grains like rice or quinoa, fresh salads, or a simple pile of buttered noodles.

Easy Ways To Serve Air Fryer Salmon

Serve fillets with lemon wedges and a quick yogurt sauce made from plain yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs. Tuck sliced salmon into warm tortillas with cabbage and a drizzle of lime mayo for fast tacos, or flake it over cooked pasta with olive oil and capers.

How To Store Cooked Salmon Safely

Let cooked salmon cool just until no longer steaming, then store it in shallow containers in the refrigerator within two hours. Eat leftovers within 3–4 days, reheating gently in the air fryer at 320°F for 3–5 minutes or eating cold in salads.

Meal Prep Ideas With Air Fryer Salmon

Cook a few extra fillets when you already have the air fryer out. Use them for next-day grain bowls, toss chunks into a leafy salad, or tuck pieces into lunch wraps with crunchy vegetables and a light spread.

If you came here wondering how do i cook salmon in the air fryer?, you now have a time and temperature range, seasoning ideas, and a few safety checks that you can rely on. Start with one batch using this base method, then adjust spices and sides to match what your kitchen and taste buds like best.