How Long Does It Take To Cook Salmon In An Air Fryer? | Time Chart

If you love salmon and hate standing over a hot pan, the air fryer is your friend. It turns out tender fish with crisp edges in minutes, as long as you match time and temperature to the cut in your basket.

This guide breaks down how long it takes to cook salmon in an air fryer for fresh and frozen fillets, skin on or off, thin portions, and thicker steaks. You will see clear time charts, thickness rules, and simple ways to tell when the fish is safe and still moist.

These steps stay simple for any home cook to copy at night.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Salmon In An Air Fryer? Time Factors That Matter

You can answer how long does it take to cook salmon in an air fryer only when you know a few details about the fish and your appliance. Time in minutes shifts with thickness, starting temperature, and how strong the air flow is in your model.

Most home cooks land in a range of 8–12 minutes at about 380°F (193°C) for fresh fillets that are around one inch thick. Thinner tail pieces finish closer to 6–8 minutes, while extra thick center cut portions and salmon steaks can reach 14 minutes.

Air Fryer Salmon Time By Thickness And Cut

Use this chart as a starting point for fresh salmon in a preheated air fryer at 380°F (193°C). Times are for pieces in a single layer.

Salmon Piece	Approx. Thickness	Cook Time Range
Thin tail fillet	1/2 inch (1.25 cm)	6–8 minutes
Average fillet portion	3/4 inch (2 cm)	8–10 minutes
Thick center fillet	1 inch (2.5 cm)	10–12 minutes
Extra thick fillet block	1 1/2 inches (4 cm)	12–14 minutes
Salmon steak	1–1 1/4 inches (2.5–3 cm)	11–14 minutes
Small salmon bites	3/4 inch cubes	6–8 minutes
Stuffed salmon fillet	About 1 1/2 inches (4 cm)	13–15 minutes

Typical Time And Temperature For Air Fryer Salmon

For a simple weeknight dinner, set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and plan on 8–10 minutes for a standard fillet. Use oil spray on the basket or a small piece of parchment that is safe for air fryers, then lay the salmon in one layer with a little space between pieces.

Cook skin side down, do not crowd the basket, and check the thickest part at the 8 minute mark. If a fork slides in with gentle pressure and the flakes separate, the fish is close. If the center still looks glossy and raw, add 1–3 minute bursts until it looks opaque and reaches a safe temperature.

Higher settings such as 390–400°F (199–204°C) shave a minute or two from the clock, yet they also brown the surface faster. If your fillet is on the thin side, that can push the outside past your preferred texture while the center finishes, so use high heat mainly for thicker, even pieces.

Safe Internal Temperature For Air Fryer Salmon

Time tells only half the story. The safest way to judge air fryer salmon is with a quick read thermometer in the thickest part of the fillet. Health agencies such as the FoodSafety.gov safe temperature chart and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advise cooking fin fish like salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

At 145°F (63°C) the flesh turns opaque, flakes with a fork, and harmful bacteria are reduced to safe levels. Some diners enjoy salmon at a lower internal temperature for a softer texture, yet that approach carries more risk, so use the full 145°F (63°C) target when you want a food safe baseline for the whole table.

Fresh Versus Frozen Salmon In The Air Fryer

Fresh, fridge cold salmon needs less time than a rock hard frozen fillet. Plan that frozen salmon will take about 4–6 minutes longer at the same temperature, since the center has to climb past the freezing point before it can cook through.

If you air fry salmon straight from the freezer at 380°F (193°C), cook for 6 minutes first to thaw and start the cooking process. Open the basket, brush on oil and seasoning, then return the fish for another 6–8 minutes. Check the center with a thermometer and add short bursts as needed until it reaches 145°F (63°C).

You can also thaw salmon in the fridge overnight and cook it like a fresh fillet. This gives the most even texture and more control over the final result, since the outside will not overcook while the frozen center catches up.

When you cook frozen salmon, scrape away any thick ice glaze clinging to the surface before it goes into the basket. That ice must melt and evaporate, which steals heat and stretches cook time. Patting the fish dry once it softens also helps the surface brown instead of steaming.

Thickness Rule Of Thumb For Air Fryer Salmon Time

A simple way to plan air fryer salmon is to think in minutes per half inch of thickness. Measure the thickest part of the fillet with a ruler or judge by eye, then match that to a time range.

At 380°F (193°C), thin 1/2 inch pieces often finish in about 7 minutes, while one inch fillets lean toward 10–12 minutes. Extra thick 1 1/2 inch blocks or stuffed pieces can push past 14 minutes. The thicker the fish, the more helpful a thermometer becomes, since the surface can look done while the center still lags behind.

Cook Time By Type Of Salmon Cut

Different salmon cuts handle air flow in the basket in slightly different ways. Tail pieces cook fast because they taper and hold less mass, while center cut fillets and salmon steaks stay thick from edge to edge and need more time.

Boneless fillets keep things simple. Lay them skin side down in the basket and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 8–11 minutes, depending on thickness. Salmon steaks with bone and skin all around often sit closer to 11–14 minutes, and turning them once halfway can help them cook evenly.

Small salmon bites or nuggets cook faster because hot air reaches more surface area. Toss bite sized pieces with oil and seasoning, spread in a single layer, and start checking at 6 minutes. Stir the basket once so all sides see direct heat.

How Prep Method Changes Air Fryer Salmon Time

Skin on salmon acts like a shield between the basket and the delicate flesh. It slows browning on that side a little, yet it also protects the fish from drying where it touches the hot surface. Time stays close to the same, though you may gain an extra minute of wiggle room before the fish turns dry.

Skinless salmon sits in direct contact with heat. Oil the basket and the fish well, then check cooked color early, since the surface can go from browned to dry fast. If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and extend time by 1–2 minutes instead of blasting the fish at a higher setting.

Thick glazes or breaded coatings can also slow heat as it moves into the salmon. When you add a sweet glaze or a crunchy crumb coat, expect to add 2–3 minutes, and keep an eye on browning so the sugar in the sauce does not burn before the center cooks through.

Air Fryer Salmon Time By Temperature Setting

If you prefer to cook at a different temperature, use this guide for an average 1 inch fresh salmon fillet in a preheated air fryer.

Temperature Setting	Fresh Fillet Time	Frozen Fillet Time
360°F (182°C)	11–13 minutes	15–17 minutes
375°F (191°C)	9–11 minutes	13–15 minutes
380°F (193°C)	8–10 minutes	12–14 minutes
390°F (199°C)	7–9 minutes	11–13 minutes
400°F (204°C)	7–9 minutes	11–13 minutes with close monitoring

Common Mistakes That Stretch Salmon Cook Time

Stacking fillets in the basket slows air flow and traps steam, which keeps the surface from browning and drags out cook time. Always cook salmon in a single layer; run a second batch if needed instead of piling pieces on top of each other.

Skipping preheat is another reason air fryer salmon seems to take longer. When you start fish in a cold basket, those first few minutes simply warm the metal and the air. If your model has no preheat button, let it run empty for 3–5 minutes at the cook setting before you add the fish.

Finally, opening the basket every minute keeps hot air from doing its job. Try to check once near the earliest end of the time range, then again only as needed. Quick checks work better than long pauses with the drawer open on the counter.

Reheating Cooked Salmon In The Air Fryer

Leftover salmon reheats well in the air fryer as long as you use heat in short bursts. Set the temperature to around 320°F (160°C), place the salmon in the basket in a single layer, and heat for 3–5 minutes until just warmed through.

Because the fish is already cooked, try to warm the center instead of chasing extra browning. A quick check at 3 minutes helps you guard the texture. Any sauce or glaze on the fish may thicken during reheating, so you can add a squeeze of lemon or a spoon of olive oil at the table to bring back a moist feel.

For flaked leftovers, place the salmon in a small heat safe dish that fits inside the basket and lay a piece of foil loosely over the top. This shields thin shreds from direct blast and keeps them from drying while they warm for grain bowls, tacos, or salads.

Final Tips For Reliable Air Fryer Salmon Time

When you first ask how long does it take to cook salmon in an air fryer, it can feel like every recipe gives a different answer. The best plan is to use time charts as a starting point, match them to the thickness of your fillet, and let a thermometer tell you when the fish is ready.

Over a few dinners you will learn how your own air fryer behaves with salmon in the basket. Some models run hot near the back, some blow more from one side, and some hold heat better between batches. Small notes in your phone or on a sticky near the appliance help you lock in your favorite settings.

Next time this question pops into your head about salmon in the air fryer, you will already have a time range in mind. Warm up the air fryer, season the fish, keep a thermometer close by, and you can put tender salmon on the table with steady results for friends and family too.