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!
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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.
Air Fryer Salmon
Servings 4 (3.5 ounces each)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. 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, 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.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Notes
Nutrition
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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.
Add the marinade: 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.
Prep your air fryer: 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. 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, 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.
This Air Fryer Salmon is quick, easy, and so delicious!
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!”
Very easy with ingredients i already had in the pantry. It turned out deliciously sweet but not overpowering. I made hand rolls with it. Thank you!
Super easy recipe! Can you use it on any other fish?
As long as the fish is about the same thickness, you should be able to swap it for a different, firm white fish like halibut or cod. A flat fish like Tilapia would overcook.
Love this recipe. It’s always a hit! My only note is that you need to cook the salmon twice as long as the recipe calls for, at least 15 mintues.
Won’t this recipe make the air fryer stink for days? Surely it is easier to use a fry-pan that can be easily washed?
Hey Emma. Nope! Your air fryer basket can be cleaned by hand just like the pan you mentioned. Most air fryer baskets (in my experience) are also easily washed in the dishwasher. Side note: if you buy fresh or frozen fish and it’s overwhelmingly smelly, you may want to double check the freshness date as it may not be safe to eat. Thanks for your question.
I am going to use this recipe today, it looks delicious
I hope you enjoyed it, Susan!
Hi: Where is the cost breakdown?
Thanks for catching that! Adding now!