Air Fryer Salmon

Salmon on a budget may sound like an oxymoron, but I’m here to tell you it can be done! This Air Fryer Salmon is quick, easy, and super flavorful. I seasoned Atlantic salmon filets with soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices and tossed them in the air fryer for a super easy weeknight meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salmon recipe is sure to be in regular rotation at your house!

My favorite people to cook for are my daughter (almost 3 years old) and my stepdaughter (15). They are both a little picky; they know what they like and don’t like and they aren’t afraid to tell me! If anyone reading this has toddlers or teenagers, I know you understand! If you want to win culinary praise from the most opinionated members of your family, this sweet and savory Air Fryer Salmon is the recipe for you! With its milder flavor and meaty texture, this salmon can turn any fish hater into a seafood enthusiast.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve salmon with a side of fluffy steamed rice and simple sauteed snow peas. It’s also excellent paired with sautéed asparagus and goes great with our lemony cucumber couscous salad or strawberry spinach salad. Salmon also elevates an already decadent Niçoise Salad from “oh, yum” to “woah, fancy!”

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Air Fryer Salmon

This Air Fryer Salmon is quick, easy, and super flavorful! Ready in just 20 minutes, this sweet and savory salmon is sure to be a hit.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Total Cost ($8.79 recipe / $2.19 serving)

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 (3.5 ounces each)

Calories 199kcal

Author Jess – Budget Bytes

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 7-oz. pieces Atlantic salmon, skin on; thawed if frozen $8.41
• Cooking Spray $0.05
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.06
• ¼ cup brown sugar $0.17
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.03
• ½ tsp garlic powder $0.07

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If using frozen salmon, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. We are cooking salmon from a fresh or fully thawed state in this recipe.
• Gather marinade ingredients: soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Spoon the marinade mixture over the salmon filets, gently rubbing it onto the salmon until it’s fully coated. A little extra on top is great! The brown sugar will melt during cooking and caramelize, giving your salmon a beautiful color and sweetness.
• Spray your salmon and your air fryer crisper plate with your cooking oil of choice and position the salmon skin side down in your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in batches. If you are dividing bigger salmon filets into smaller portions, it’s easiest to do so once it’s fully cooked unless you have a sharp knife that can get through the skin with ease when they are raw.
• Air fry for 7-8 minutes to start. At the halfway mark, baste your salmon with more marinade and then continue cooking.*

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*The cook time for your salmon will vary depending on the thickness of each piece. For a thinner piece of salmon, plan on 7-8 minutes. For a thicker piece of fish, you will probably need to air fry for 9-10 minutes. Fork test your salmon to make sure it’s done to your liking (flaky and delicious!) If it needs more time, you can put it back in for 1-2 minutes.

When I chose the salmon for this recipe, I knew I wanted between a 3 oz serving size and 4 oz serving size per person, so when I found this cut and weight I bought it knowing I could portion it out easily amongst 4 people after cooking. 

Nutrition

Serving: 3.5ounces | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 299mg | Fiber: 0.2g

how to make Air Fryer Salmon – step by step photos

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If using frozen salmon (2 7-oz. pieces), allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. We are cooking salmon from a fresh or fully thawed state in this recipe. Gather marinade ingredients: 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.

Spoon the marinade mixture over the salmon filets, gently rubbing it onto the salmon until it’s fully coated. A little extra on top is great! The brown sugar will melt during cooking and caramelize, giving your salmon a beautiful color and sweetness.

Spray your salmon and your air fryer crisper plate with your cooking oil of choice and position the salmon skin side down in your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do this in batches. If you are dividing bigger salmon filets into smaller portions, it’s easiest to do so once it’s fully cooked unless you have a sharp knife that can get through the skin with ease when they are raw.

Air fry for 7-8 minutes to start. At the halfway mark, baste your salmon with more marinade and then continue cooking.*

This Air Fryer Salmon is quick, easy, and so delicious!

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