Salmon is about as healthy as food gets. The superfood fish has loads of health benefits and is fairly easy to prepare. Searing salmon on the stove has been my go-to prep method but after cooking a fresh filet in the air fryer, I've turned over a new leaf.
Air fryer salmon takes less than 15 minutes, cuts down on the fishy smell permeating your kitchen and leaves almost no mess behind. And because salmon has plenty of oil, it holds up to an air fryer's fierce heat without drying out.
This fast and easy meal is a game-changer for busy nights when I need something affordable and healthy. You can modify the recipe about one million ways with sauces, seasoning and sides depending on your mood.
If you're tired of people telling you to eat more fish, this is your ticket to a year filled with omega-3 fatty acids and free of wretched pots and pans to wash. Salmon cooked in an air fryer gets a nice crust akin to a pan-sear but stays moist and tender on the inside as long as you don't overcook it.
A fresh filet and seasonings are all you need to make the perfect air fryer salmon dinner.
Here's how to make a perfect filet every time. And for more, see our favorite places to order salmon online and the best air fryers we tested for 2025. If you're wondering how these trendy and efficient countertop cookers work and which model is best, read my complete guide to air fryers.
Ingredients for the 10-minute air fryer salmon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 green onion, diced
- Salmon filet
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parchment paper (optional)
5 easy steps: The perfect 10-minute air fryer
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F on either "air fry" or "roast."
- Step 2: Whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce and green onion.
- Step 3: Pat the salmon filet dry and place it in the air fryer on top of parchment paper (paper optional).
- Step 4: Pour soy sauce mixture over salmon and brush to coat completely.
- Step 5: Close the basket and cook for about 8 minutes, checking with a fork or internal probe for doneness (cook a minute or two more if you prefer your salmon medium well or well done).
Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium rare salmon.
What else can I cook in the air fryer?
The air fryer is my go-to for roasted chicken, replacing my slow and dirty dish-heavy oven recipe. I recently learned to make juicy air fryer cheeseburgers and sizzle bacon in less than 10 minutes and without dirtying a skillet or sheet pan.
Why should I use an air fryer instead of an oven?
Air fryers are incredibly convenient and can do many of the same jobs that an oven can. They only take a couple of minutes to preheat, contain many of the cooking messes you'd otherwise have to spend time cleaning up and are overall more energy-efficient cooking appliances.
What's the biggest limitation of cooking with an air fryer?
When you're planning to cook meals with an air fryer, you need to make sure you have enough space inside of your appliance for the food you want to cook. Many air fryers can accommodate for a single person's serving size, but you'll likely have to run the air fryer multiple times to make enough food for your whole family.
Can I bake in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. The air fryer functions just like a convection oven, making it suitable for baking cookies, brownies and more.