Air fryer salmon is my new favorite weeknight meal. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s incredibly delicious! Made with just a touch of oil and a blend of rich and flavorful spices, this salmon is so crispy and juicy! It has made me love eating healthier, and even my husband begs me to make it every week!

overhead view of 2 pieces of air fryer salmon on a bed of lettuce, one piece is being cut by a fork.

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If there’s one appliance I truly love, it’s my air fryer! It makes my life so much easier and my meals so much healthier. I used so little oil in this air fryer salmon recipe– just enough to help the spices stick. The spice blend really does the heavy lifting here, adding so much flavor and creating a crispy crust on the outside of the fish. I love that I can have dinner on the table in just 20 minutes!

What’s in this Air Fryer Salmon Recipe?

  • Spices: Oregano, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder create the perfect blend of earthy, salty, smoky goodness!
  • SalmonI tested this recipe with salmon filets that were approximately 1 inch thick, 2 inches wide, and 6 inches long. Keep in mind that smaller pieces of salmon will cook more quickly and larger pieces may take longer.
  • Oil: Olive oil helps the salmon brown and ensures that we get a crisp exterior and juicy interior. Feel free to swap the olive oil for your favorite cooking oil (grapeseed, avocado, etc.).
overhead view of an air fryer salmon filet on a bed of lettuce topped with lime wedges.
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Tips for Success

  • Make sure that the air fryer is fully pre heated before adding the salmon so that it cooks through evenly.
  • To take the heat up a notch, add a few shakes of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the spice blend.
  • While I recommend thawing frozen salmon before air frying it, if you’re in a hurry, you can place the frozen salmon fillets in the air fryer basket to defrost them at 360°F for 5 minutes.
  • There’s absolutely no need to remove the skin from the salmon unless you want to. The salmon will still crisp up nicely with or without the skin. I always recommend placing the salmon skin side-down in the air fryer basket.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer (get one!) you can still make this recipe in the oven or on the stovetop. The seasoning mix is so delicious so don’t miss out! You can pan-fry the spiced salmon in a little oil for about 4 minutes on each side, or bake it in the oven at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
  • The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakes, it’s finished cooking. The proper internal temperature of cooked salmon is 145°F.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover air fryer salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying. I always recommend enjoying leftover salmon cold, but you can also reheat it gently in the microwave.

close up view of a piece of air fryer salmon being cut with a fork.

Serving Suggestions

This seasoned air fryer salmon is great served with all of your favorite veggie, potato, or salad sides. I served mine on a bed of romaine lettuce and tomatoes with sweet and spicy salad dressing (pictured). Try yours with cucumber tomato salad, loaded scalloped potatoes, asparagus almondine, or Pennsylvania Dutch beans.

5-Star Review

“This was delicious, and very easy to follow. So much so I’m cooking it again.” -Joyce

Recipe Card

Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

4.66 from 38 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Total: 19 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Author: Becky Hardin
overhead view of an air fryer salmon filet on a bed of lettuce topped with lime wedges.
So delicious and perfectly cooked every single time, this seasoned air fryer salmon is a quick, delicious, and healthy weeknight meal!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 salmon fillets skin-on (6-8 ounces each)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Preheat an air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the oil, oregano, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder together.
    2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    seasoning blend in a white bowl with a spoon.
  • Brush the spice mixture on top of the salmon fillets.
    2 salmon fillets
    2 seasoned salmon filets on a cutting board.
  • Set the salmon, skin side down, in the preheated air fryer basket.
    2 seasoned salmon filets in the basket of an air fryer.
  • Air fry for 8-9 minutes depending on the size of the fillets.

Video

Becky’s Tips

Storage: Store air fryer salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
    Serving: 1filletCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 34gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 657mgPotassium: 873mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you make this? Leave a comment!

    How to Air Fry Salmon Step by Step

    Whisk the Spices: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk 2 teaspoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder together.

    seasoning blend in a white bowl with a spoon.

    Coat the Salmon: Brush the spice mixture on top of 2 salmon fillets.

    2 seasoned salmon filets on a cutting board.

    Cook the Salmon: Set the salmon, skin side down, in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 8-9 minutes depending on the size of the fillets.

    2 seasoned salmon filets in the basket of an air fryer.

    More Salmon Recipes to Try!

    Meet Becky Hardin

    Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

    4.66 from 38 votes (35 ratings without comment)
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    5 Comments
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    Anne
    Anne
    March 22, 2023 7:29 pm

    Amazing flavor. No need for sauce. Thx5 stars

    mel
    mel
    September 10, 2022 2:08 am

    I tried this recipe and it turned out really good. What else can I add to the recipe? Thanks for the recipe.  5 stars

    Samantha Marceau
    September 12, 2022 9:43 am
    Reply to  mel
    Joyce
    Joyce
    August 8, 2021 11:10 am

    This was delicious, and very easy to follow. So much so I’m cooking it again.5 stars

    Becky Hardin
    Becky Hardin
    August 11, 2021 12:56 pm
    Reply to  Joyce

    Thanks for sharing, Joyce!