This air fryer salmon recipe is a quick and healthy dinner option that delivers perfectly cooked fish with a crispy exterior. The air fryer circulates hot air around the salmon, ensuring even cooking while retaining moisture.
With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with your favorite vegetables or a side salad for a complete meal.
Preparing the Salmon Fillets
Start by ensuring your salmon fillets are thoroughly dried with paper towels. This step is essential for achieving that desired crispy exterior.
Next, drizzle the fillets with olive oil, allowing the seasonings to adhere better. Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper over the fish, ensuring an even coating for maximum flavor.
Preheating the Air Fryer
Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This preheating phase is crucial as it helps to create a perfectly cooked salmon with a golden crust.
Allow the air fryer to heat for about five minutes. This short wait will make a significant difference in the cooking process.
Cooking the Salmon
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned salmon fillets in the basket, skin side down. This positioning helps the skin crisp up nicely while the flesh remains moist.
Cook the salmon for 10-12 minutes. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork, indicating it has reached the perfect doneness.
Serving Suggestions
After cooking, carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer. For a beautiful presentation, serve it on a white plate alongside vibrant green asparagus.
Garnish the dish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. The herbs add a pop of color and freshness, while the lemon provides a zesty contrast to the rich salmon.
Nutritional Benefits
This air fryer salmon dinner is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients. Each serving contains approximately 280 calories, making it a healthy choice for dinner.
With 25 grams of protein and healthy fats, this dish supports a balanced diet while satisfying your taste buds.
Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, requiring only 17 minutes from start to finish. With minimal prep and cooking time, you can enjoy a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Pair it with a side salad or your favorite vegetables for a complete dinner that is both delicious and satisfying.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
This recipe features salmon fillets seasoned with herbs and spices, cooked in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes. It serves 2 people and is ideal for a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Salmon: Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve with lemon wedges and fresh herbs if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Servings: 2 fillets
- Calories: 280kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 0g