This Air Fryer Salmon with Skin is packed with flavor and ready in under 10 minutes! A super quick, foolproof way to cook salmon that comes out perfect every time!
If you are looking for easy salmon recipes for dinner, then try my firecracker salmon recipe or the creamy salmon pasta!
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
🕒 Ready In: ~10 minutes
👪 Serves: 2 Servings
🧑🍳 Main Ingredients: Salmon fillets with skin, lemon, olive oil and spices
📖 Dietary Info: High protein and healthy
📌 Difficulty: Quick and easy
Why you’ll love this air fryer salmon?
Properly cooked air fryer salmon has perfectly crisp skin and tender, flaky, flavorful flesh that melts in your mouth. I like to use salmon fillets with the skin on—it helps the flesh hold together, stay moist, and cook evenly. Unlike pan-searing, which can leave bits stuck to the pan and grease splattered everywhere, air frying is hands-off, fast, and much easier to clean.
The air fryer’s circulating hot air crisps the skin, locks in moisture, and intensifies the spices for maximum flavor—no flipping required. The skin also acts as a natural barrier, protecting the flesh from overcooking and ensuring even cooking. It’s a quick, healthy weeknight dinner ready in under 15 minutes with minimal cleanup!
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My favorite way to cook salmon is with the skin on! It makes prep so much easier—no need to chop into bites or remove the skin beforehand. Once cooked, the skin practically separates from the flesh, making it effortless to serve. Keeping the skin on also helps the salmon stay juicy and intact. I always buy frozen wild salmon fillets from Costco—they’re healthier than farmed salmon and a lifesaver for quick, weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Salmon Filets- Look for fillets with fairly even thickness, because they usually have a thick end and a thinner tapered end, which can lead to uneven cooking. My favorite is frozen Sockeye salmon fillets from Costco which is 6 ounces each.
- Olive oil - This helps in toasting the spices and keep things moist.
- Seasonings - Basic pantry spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and black pepper. Feel free to mix and match.
- Lemon - Brightens and compliments the spices used.
Tips for cooking salmon in air fryer
Preheat the air fryer: Preheating ensures even cooking, speeds up the process, and helps crisp the skin.
Check cooking time: Remove salmon slightly early and let it rest 3–5 minutes—this keeps it perfectly flaky. Cooking times vary by thickness and appliance, so start checking around 6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Even fillets: Make sure fillets are uniform in thickness for consistent cooking.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave space for hot air to circulate so the skin crisps nicely. Cook in batches if needed.
Pat dry: Remove excess moisture before seasoning to get a golden, crisp exterior.
More easy air fryer dinners
Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets with skin (6 ounces each)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt (I used ½ teaspoon)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
Instructions
- Marinate salmon. Combine all ingredients except the salmon in a small bowl. Pat the salmon fillets dry on all sides with paper towels, then evenly coat the top and sides with the spice mixture.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness. For a crispier, golden-brown top, lightly spray the salmon with cooking spray halfway through cooking.
- Remove. Open the air fryer basket and check the salmon for doneness and serve!👉 The most accurate way is with a meat thermometer—the center should reach 145°F. For perfectly tender salmon, we like to remove it around 135°F and let it rest for a few minutes to avoid overcooking. If you don’t have a thermometer, gently flake the salmon with a fork; it’s done when it flakes easily without resistance.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to cook skin on salmon in an air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Serving suggestions
This versatile air fryer salmon works in so many ways:
- With air fried vegetables: Serve alongside air-fried broccoli (as we did in the photos) and air fryer baby potatoes for a quick air fryer dinner.
- Over grains: Perfect over rice, instant pot quinoa, couscous, barley, or cauliflower rice.
- Meal prep: Store cooked salmon in the fridge for 3–4 days for easy lunches or dinners.
- With pasta: Serve alongside simple pasta dishes for dinner.
- In sandwiches: Use a brioche bun with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion for a quick fish sandwich.
- Tacos: Swap fish sticks in the fish stick tacos for flaked salmon seasoned with taco spices, topped with lettuce, black beans, and avocado crema in soft corn tortillas.
Frequently Asked Questions
No flipping needed! The circulating hot air cooks the salmon evenly on both sides while giving the top a beautiful, golden-brown finish.
Yes! You can cook salmon straight from frozen in the air fryer. Just increase the cooking time slightly—about 12–15 minutes depending on thickness—and season or brush with spice mixture halfway through. It comes out tender, flaky, and perfectly cooked without thawing. However, it's best to thaw the fish, patting them thoroughly dry before using, to make the seasoning blend sticks to flesh without sliding off.
Salmon can go from perfectly cooked to overdone quickly, so it’s important to check carefully. The most reliable way is with a meat thermometer—the center should reach 145°F. For extra-moist, tender salmon, we like to remove it around 135°F and let it rest a few minutes, which prevents overcooking. Don’t have a thermometer? Gently flake the salmon with a fork—when it’s done, it will flake easily without resistance.
Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare the spice mixture as directed. Place the salmon on a baking or sheet pan and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Yes, you can absolutely eat salmon skin—and it’s actually very nutritious with omega-3 fatty acids, collagen, vitamins, and minerals. When cooked properly (especially in the air fryer), it turns deliciously crisp.
Wild-caught salmon is generally recommended, as it tends to have fewer potential contaminants than farmed varieties. That said, if you prefer not to eat the skin, it’s easy to remove after cooking—just slide a spatula between the flesh and the skin, and it will lift right off.
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Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
