CrispenAir Fryer Salmon
Juicy, flaky salmon with a golden top in 9 minutes, and nothing to flip.
Air fry salmon fillets at 400°F for 9 minutes, skin side down and without flipping, until the flesh is opaque, flakes easily and the thickest part reads 145°F. That timing is for 1-inch-thick, 5-6 oz fillets. The key trick: pat the fillets dry before oiling, so the top browns instead of steaming.
Salmon is made for the air fryer. The hot, fast-moving air browns the top while the skin underneath shields the flesh, so the inside stays moist and silky. A thin coat of oil helps the surface turn golden, and a short 2-minute rest lets the juices settle. All you need is salt, pepper and lemon, and there's nothing to flip.
Salmon: times for every size
| What | Temp | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin-on fillets, about 1 inch thick (5-6 oz) | 400°F | 9 min | skin side down, no flip |
| Thin fillets, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick | 400°F | 6-7 min | check at 6 min |
| Thick center-cut fillets, 1 1/2 inches (8 oz) | 400°F | 11-13 min | check at 11 min |
| Skinless fillets, about 1 inch thick | 400°F | 8-9 min | oil the basket first |
| Frozen fillets, no thawing | 400°F | 14-16 min | oil and season after 5 min |
More foods in the air fryer cooking times chart. Converting an oven recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter.
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Air Fryer Salmon
2 fillets · skin on · about 1 inch thick · Prep 8 min · Cook 14 min · Total 22 min
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
If frozen, unwrap the salmon and thaw it in the fridge on a covered plate. Pat the fillets dry.
- 2
Brush the fillets with oil and season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Preheat the air fryer.
3 min
- 4
Lay the fillets skin side down in the basket so they don't touch. Cook in batches if needed.
- 5
Air fry the salmon. No need to flip.
9 min at 400°F
- 6
Lift the fillets onto a clean plate with a clean spatula and let them rest.
2 min
- 7
Serve the salmon with lemon wedges.
How to tell it's done
Opaque and flakes easily. The thickest piece should read 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving from USDA FoodData Central values for the ingredients.
Tips for the best results
- Pat the salmon completely dry. Water on the surface steams the fish and stops the top from browning.
- Pick fillets of the same thickness so they finish together. Thickness matters more than weight.
- Preheat for 3 minutes. A hot basket starts cooking the fish the moment it goes in.
- Leave space between fillets. Touching fillets steam each other and cook unevenly.
- Check early with a thermometer. Take the salmon out at 145°F in the thickest part. A minute too long turns it dry and chalky.
Variations
Honey garlic salmon
Stir together 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 minced garlic clove. Brush it on for the last 2 minutes so the honey glazes without burning.
Lemon pepper salmon
Season with lemon pepper instead of plain black pepper and lay thin lemon slices on top before cooking. Squeeze fresh lemon over at the end.
Cajun salmon
Rub each oiled fillet with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Skip the extra salt if your blend is already salty.
Teriyaki salmon
Marinate the fillets in 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce for 15-30 minutes, pat off the excess and air fry as usual. Brush with a little more sauce to serve.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate cooked salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat at 325°F for 3-4 minutes, just until warm in the center. Gentle heat keeps it from drying out. Cold leftovers are also great flaked into salads or rice bowls.
Questions
How long do you cook salmon in the air fryer at 400°F?
About 9 minutes for 1-inch-thick fillets at 400°F. Thin fillets need 6-7 minutes and thick center-cut pieces 11-13 minutes. Go by thickness, not weight, and check that the thickest part reaches 145°F.
Do you flip salmon in the air fryer?
No. Cook it skin side down the whole time. The skin protects the flesh from the heat so it stays juicy, while the top browns in the moving air. Flipping only risks breaking the fillet.
What temperature should salmon be when it's done?
145°F in the thickest part. Without a thermometer, press the top with a fork: done salmon is opaque and flakes apart easily. If the center still looks glossy and dark pink, give it 1 more minute.
Can you cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?
Yes. Rinse off any ice, air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes, then brush with oil, season and cook 9-11 minutes more until it reaches 145°F. For the best texture, thaw it overnight in the fridge instead and cook it for 9 minutes.
How do I stop salmon sticking to the air fryer basket?
Preheat the basket, brush the skin with oil and lay the fillets skin side down. To serve, slide a thin spatula between the skin and the flesh. The fillet lifts off cleanly, and if the skin sticks it simply stays behind.
Never guess an air fryer time again
- Save a recipe from any video or website in two taps, converted for your air fryer
- Lots of chef-curated air fryer recipes, from crispy wings to cookies
- Turn a craving into a full recipe with AI
- Remember every cook, so you nail it every time after
Join the waitlist and get the founder price at launch.
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