Most salmon fillets cook in an air fryer for 8–12 minutes at 375°F (190°C), until the center reaches 145°F or flakes easily.
If you have a piece of salmon in front of you and an air fryer on the counter, the real question is simple: how long to cook salmon in air fryer? The good news is that once you know the time range for your cut, dinner becomes almost automatic.
This guide breaks down air fryer salmon timing by thickness, cut, temperature, and whether the fish is fresh or frozen. You will see time charts, a step-by-step method, and fixes for dry or undercooked fish, so you can pick a time with confidence instead of guessing every single night.
How Long To Cook Salmon In Air Fryer? Time Ranges That Work
For most boneless salmon fillets that are about 1 inch thick, plan on 8–12 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Thinner pieces finish closer to the low end of that range, while thick center-cut fillets or steaks sit near the top. Very thick pieces or whole sides can push higher, but you still use the same basic test: the flesh should look opaque and pull apart with a fork.
The question how long to cook salmon in air fryer? always comes back to two details: thickness and internal temperature. Food safety guidance treats fin fish as done at 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part. Many home cooks like salmon slightly lower for a softer texture, yet the safe baseline never changes, so a quick thermometer check matters more than the clock.
As a starting point, use the broad time and temperature chart below. Then tweak based on your own machine and how you like your salmon to feel in the center.
| Salmon Cut Or Thickness | Air Fryer Temperature | Approximate Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thin Fillet (½ Inch, Tail Piece) | 375°F / 190°C | 6–8 minutes |
| Standard Fillet (1 Inch, 4–6 Oz) | 375°F / 190°C | 8–12 minutes |
| Thick Center-Cut Fillet (1¼–1½ Inch) | 375–390°F / 190–200°C | 10–14 minutes |
| Salmon Steak (Bone In) | 375°F / 190°C | 10–13 minutes |
| Whole Side Of Salmon (1½–2 Lb) | 360°F / 182°C | 15–20 minutes |
| Frozen Fillet (1 Inch, Not Thawed) | 390°F / 200°C | 12–15 minutes |
| Salmon Bites Or Cubes | 390°F / 200°C | 7–10 minutes |
| Stuffed Salmon Portion | 360°F / 182°C | 14–18 minutes |
Use these ranges as a starting point, not a rigid rule. Air fryers move hot air in slightly different ways, baskets have different shapes, and even the brand of salmon can change how fast it cooks. The thermometer and a fork test always win over the clock.
Cooking Salmon In Air Fryer Time And Temperature Guide
Most air fryers handle salmon best between 360°F and 390°F (182–200°C). A slightly lower setting gives you gentle heat that helps prevent dry edges, while a hotter setting gives stronger browning on the surface. Pick the range that matches your goal, then adjust the clock by a minute or two either way.
Recommended Internal Temperature For Salmon
Food safety agencies treat fin fish as safely cooked when the thickest part reaches 145°F (63°C) and the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. That standard shows up in many charts and gives a clear safety line for home kitchens.
Plenty of cooks like salmon a bit softer in the middle, closer to medium than fully firm. If you prefer that style, you might pull the fish out around 125–135°F (52–57°C) and let carryover heat bring it a little higher while it rests. When you choose a lower target, understand that you are trading a slightly lower safety margin for texture, and handle the fish carefully from fridge to plate.
For a clear safety baseline and a handy reference, you can check the USDA safe minimum internal temperature chart, which lists fish with a 145°F target.
Best Air Fryer Temperatures For Salmon
Here is how different temperature choices change the way salmon cooks in an air fryer.
- 360°F / 182°C: Gentle heat for whole sides, stuffed pieces, or very fatty salmon. Use this when you want more control and a wider window before the fish dries out.
- 375°F / 190°C: Sweet spot for everyday fillets. You get light browning, flaky flesh, and reasonable cook times without much risk.
- 390°F / 200°C: Hotter setting for frozen salmon, cubes, or breaded pieces that need extra color. Watch closely after the halfway point to avoid dry edges.
Once you pick a temperature, stay consistent across a few batches. That way you can dial in your favorite time range for your personal air fryer and stop guessing every single time you cook salmon.
Factors That Change Air Fryer Salmon Cook Time
Two cooks can use the same time and still end up with different results. That gap usually traces back to a handful of variables that push your salmon toward underdone or overdone. When you understand these, you can tweak the timer with far more precision.
Thickness And Shape
Thickness matters more than weight. A 1-pound side of salmon that is long and thin cooks faster than a short, tall block that stands over an inch thick. Measure the thickest point with a ruler or just compare by eye. Thinner than ¾ inch leans toward the low end of the chart, 1 inch sits in the middle, and anything thicker calls for the longer times and a quick temperature check.
Fresh Vs Frozen
Frozen salmon has to travel from freezer temperature up past the danger zone and into the safe range, so it needs extra minutes in the basket. Most frozen fillets cook well at 390°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes. Fresh, fridge-cold fish reaches the same internal temperature in less time, so watch for doneness around 8–12 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
Skin On Or Skinless
Skin on salmon acts like a built-in shield. When you cook with the skin side down, the heat reaches the top first and the skin slows the rise at the bottom. That often means the fish needs one extra minute, but it also protects the flesh from harsh heat. Skinless fillets have more direct contact with the basket or parchment. They sometimes brown faster and can dry near the edges if left in too long.
Marinade, Glaze, Or Plain
A salty brine or marinade helps salmon hold moisture. Sweet glazes with honey or sugar brown faster and can deepen color even at slightly lower temperatures. Plain salmon cooks a bit faster and shows dry patches sooner if you overshoot the time. When you add a thick glaze, lean toward the middle of the time range and peek once near the end to check color.
Differences Between Air Fryer Models
Basket size, fan strength, and how close the heating element sits above the food all change heat flow. A compact, powerful model can cook salmon a couple of minutes faster than a wide oven-style unit with two racks. Before serving guests, test your own air fryer with one or two fillets and write down the time that gives you the texture you enjoy most.
Regulators such as the FDA share general advice on seafood handling and storage, including salmon, in their guidance on eating fish. Pair that kind of safety advice with your own timing notes and you end up with a repeatable method that works week after week.
Step By Step Method For Air Fryer Salmon Fillets
Once you know your target time and temperature, a simple routine makes the rest feel easy. Use this base method for standard 1-inch fillets and then adjust a minute or two in either direction as you learn how your air fryer behaves.
1. Prep The Salmon
Pat the salmon dry on both sides with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper at a minimum, or add your favorite dry rub. If the fillets were in a marinade, let the excess drip off so the basket does not flood with liquid.
2. Preheat The Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for 3–5 minutes. A warm basket reduces sticking and keeps timing more consistent from batch to batch.
3. Arrange The Fillets
Place salmon skin side down in a single layer. Leave space between pieces so hot air can reach the sides. Crowding slows cooking and can leave the center underdone while the surface dries out.
4. Cook And Check Early
Cook for 7–8 minutes, then open the basket and test the thickest part with a thermometer. If it shows around 120–125°F, you are a few minutes away from a medium style center. If it is closer to 135°F, you might only need one more minute. Add time in short bursts until the fish reaches your chosen temperature.
5. Rest And Serve
Let the salmon rest on a plate for about 3–5 minutes. The internal temperature climbs a couple of degrees as heat evens out, and juices settle back into the flesh. Serve with a squeeze of lemon, a simple salad, or vegetables cooked in the air fryer right after the fish.
How Long To Cook Frozen Salmon In Air Fryer
Frozen fillets are perfect for busy nights because you can cook them straight from the freezer. The tradeoff is that they need a bit more time and slightly more heat to reach a safe internal temperature without turning the outside into shoe leather.
Best Settings For Frozen Salmon
Set the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Cook the frozen salmon for 6–7 minutes first to thaw and start the cook. Open the basket, brush off any ice crystals, season the top, then return the fillets for another 6–8 minutes. At that point, most 1-inch frozen fillets will sit near 135–145°F in the center.
Timing Tips For Even Results
If the fillets sit unevenly, rotate them halfway through so the thicker side spends more time near the hotter spots of your air fryer. When the thermometer shows 135°F in the center, you can choose to pull for a softer texture or give it another minute or two for the full 145°F safety target.
Timing For Different Salmon Cuts And Recipes
Not all salmon dishes look like a plain fillet. You might coat cubes in seasoning for tacos, bake a whole side for guests, or cook stuffed pieces filled with crab or spinach. Each version needs a slightly different time range even when the temperature stays the same.
| Salmon Style | Temperature | Typical Time Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Fillet With Lemon And Herbs | 375°F / 190°C | 8–12 minutes |
| Honey Garlic Glazed Fillet | 375°F / 190°C | 9–13 minutes |
| Teriyaki Salmon Bites | 390°F / 200°C | 7–10 minutes |
| Parmesan Crusted Salmon | 375°F / 190°C | 10–13 minutes |
| Stuffed Salmon Portions | 360°F / 182°C | 14–18 minutes |
| Whole Side Of Salmon On Parchment | 360°F / 182°C | 15–20 minutes |
| Salmon For Meal Prep Bowls | 370–375°F / 188–190°C | 9–12 minutes |
Whenever you change the recipe style, come back to the core checks: internal temperature and texture. Thick breading or stuffing slows heat transfer, while sugar in a glaze speeds up browning. A quick peek near the end keeps surprises away.
Common Mistakes With Air Fryer Salmon Time
Air fryers make salmon simple, yet a few timing mistakes show up over and over. Spotting them early saves a lot of disappointment and wasted fish.
Starting With Uneven Pieces
Mixing thin tail pieces and thick center cuts in one batch leads to frustration. The thin edges dry out while you wait for the tall pieces to reach a safe temperature. Group similar sizes in the same cook, or pull thin pieces early and let thicker ones run a few minutes longer.
Skipping The Preheat
Placing salmon in a cold basket changes the first minutes of cooking. The fish spends more time warming up and less time in the steady, even heat that gives reliable timing. A short preheat step gives you more predictable results and helps the first side brown a little better.
Relying Only On The Clock
Timer settings printed in cookbooks or on appliance stickers are only a starting point. Fish from different regions, air fryers from different brands, and even the humidity in your kitchen change how heat moves. A small instant-read thermometer removes that guesswork and turns any timing chart into a flexible tool instead of a rigid rule.
Not Letting Salmon Rest
Pulling salmon straight from the air fryer to the plate and cutting into it at once pushes juices out onto the cutting board. A few minutes of rest keeps the surface from steaming hot and allows the center to finish cooking gently. That habit also gives you a buffer if you like to pull the fish a few degrees early for a softer center.
Crowding The Basket
Stacking fillets or squeezing them tightly together blocks air flow. Parts of the fish end up steaming instead of roasting, so you see pale spots and uneven texture. Two smaller batches with space around each piece often finish faster than one crowded batch that needs repeated extra minutes.
Final Tips For Juicy Air Fryer Salmon
Salmon rewards a little attention to detail. Dry the fillets, season them well, preheat the air fryer, and pick a temperature in the 360–390°F (182–200°C) range that matches your goal. From there, time becomes a dial you turn based on thickness and your own preference for a firmer or softer center.
If you treat timing charts as a map, not a strict rulebook, you will learn how your own air fryer behaves in just a few dinners. Once you have that feel, you will know almost by sight and touch when salmon is ready, and cook times that used to feel confusing will turn into a simple, repeatable routine.