Easy Air Fryer Salmon (Ninja Foodi Recipe)
Deliciously seasoned easy air fryer salmon recipe using our Ninja Foodi. Perfectly crispy outside, tender inside – effortless gourmet dining at home!
Our family loves salmon. I have smoked it, baked it, grilled it, and canned it.
It is such a healthy food, loaded with fatty acids, and that benefits the whole family. We have had the opportunity to enjoy wild-caught salmon often, thanks to some epic fishing trips.
When we run out of that, I have no problem picking up frozen salmon at my local grocery store.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
I have also recently fallen in love with my air fryer. This nifty little appliance has been a game changer for me, especially on a busy weeknight.
I can make so many different things with it in a fraction of the time it would take to cook them in the oven. And it is so simple to use. The best part is how little oil it takes.
Air Fryer Salmon
Today’s delicious air fryer salmon recipe is perfect for whipping up a quick meal. You only need a couple of simple ingredients and the fish is prepped in a matter of minutes.
Serve this easy air fryer salmon with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a fresh salad, for a complete and delicious meal. We especially love this kale caesar salad and avocado salad. Enjoy!
This post contains affiliate links.
Supplies
- Ninja Air Fryer – this is a great all-around air fryer in my experience!
- Parchment paper – awesome for lining the basket of the air fryer and making clean up a breeze.
- Air Fryer Paper Liners – these disposable air fryer liners work great too!
- Cutting board – for slicing & dicing ingredients.
- Knife – this is my go to kitchen knife.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7-10 minutes
Total Time: 12-15 minutes
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Avocado oil – extra virgin olive oil works too!
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Zest of one fresh lemon
- Fresh lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
3. Brush both sides of the salmon fillets with avocado oil.
4. Season the fillets with salt and black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated
5. Grate the zest from the fresh lemon over the salmon fillets, distributing it evenly.
6. Place the salmon fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin-side down.
7. Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
8. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
9. Serve the air fryer salmon with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish before enjoying.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the fillets and the type of air fryer you have. Adjust accordingly.
Tips and Tricks
- The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets. Thicker fillets may require slightly more cooking time, while thinner fillets might cook faster.
- The fresh lemon zest adds brightness and enhances the flavors of the salmon. Make sure to distribute it evenly over the fillets before cooking.
- The best way to ensure that the internal temperature of the salmon reaches the recommended safe temperature of 145°F (63°C) is to test it using a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the fillet.
- You can customize the seasoning by adding other herbs or spices like dill, garlic powder, or paprika according to your taste preferences. Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chili powder for some heat.
- Experiment with different spice blends like cajun, Italian, or lemon pepper seasoning. You could even try a BBQ dry rub like this one or our favorite lemon dill sauce.
- Store any leftover salmon in the fridge in an airtight container.
How to Get the Best Results from Your Air Fryer
- It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even and consistent cooking.
- Make sure your food is in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this may lead to uneven cooking. Cook in batches if needed to allow for adequate circulation of hot air.
- Save on cleanup by lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Clean your air fryer! I recommend washing by hand, but check your manual.
FAQ
- Everyone is talking about air frying. How exactly does an air fryer work? An air fryer cooks food quickly by radiating heat into the chamber that is then circulated through convection. This allows for food to be fried without the use of oils.
- Could I substitute frozen salmon for the fresh salmon in this recipe? Yes, however cooking temperature and times will vary.
- Is farm-raised salmon healthy? Sure, however we prefer to use wild caught salmon whenever possible.
More Tasty Air Fryer Recipes
Now that you have experienced just how simple an air fryer is to use, I have tons of other easy air fryer recipes for you.
- air fryer broccoli
- asparagus
- sweet potato
- air fryer burgers
- traditional French fries
- BBQ chicken drumsticks
- air fryer steak
- steak bites
- salmon
- thick cut bacon
If you love this air fryer salmon recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest.
Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 x 7oz salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Zest of one fresh lemon
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Brush both sides of the salmon fillets with avocado oil.
- Season the fillets with salt and black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated
- Grate the zest from the fresh lemon over the salmon fillets, distributing it evenly.
- Place the salmon fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin-side down.
- Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Once cooked, remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the air fryer salmon with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish before enjoying.
Nutrition
