How to Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer

The best way to cook salmon is also the easiest: air fryer salmon requires just four main ingredients, about eight minutes of cooking time, and delivers perfectly moist, flavorful fillets you’ll want to cook again and again. This simple method lets the air fryer do the work while you dress the fish with whatever flavors you prefer.

Salmon in an Air Fryer

Air frying is one of the best ways to cook salmon because it produces an evenly cooked, tender interior with minimal effort. You can start with fresh fillets or previously frozen fillets that have been thawed according to package instructions. The quality of the salmon matters: the better the fish, the more impressive the result. Skin-on fillets are ideal, but skinless works too.

Note: If using frozen salmon, thaw first — this method is designed for fresh or thawed fillets, not frozen fish straight from the freezer.

Fillet size is flexible: cook one large fillet and portion it after cooking or use individual-sized fillets. Salmon is best when not overcooked — aim for an internal temperature between 120°F and 125°F, leaning toward the lower end for wild-caught fish and the higher end for farmed salmon.

Best Seasonings for Salmon

For me, simple Japanese-inspired flavors are unbeatable: a sticky unagi-style glaze plus furikake and sliced green onions create tons of savory umami and texture. Furikake is a dry condiment made with nori, sesame seeds, bonito flakes, and other seasonings — it’s delicious sprinkled over fish, rice, or vegetables. If you don’t have furikake, toasted sesame seeds plus a pinch of flaky salt makes a fine substitute.

Unagi sauce (often called eel sauce) is a sweet-savory glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. It’s commonly served with grilled eel, which is how it got its name, but the sauce itself contains no eel and works beautifully on salmon as a finishing glaze.

Other Salmon Ideas

While this air fryer method is perfect for everyday meals, try other preparations when you want variety: crispy-skin salmon with a pine nut–parsley crust, blackened salmon Caesar salad, or smoked salmon in salads and appetizers. Smoked salmon also shines in chilled pasta salads or as a light, elegant pizza topping alongside cucumber and cream cheese.

Why an Air Fryer?

I’m careful about recommending gadgets, but an air fryer is genuinely useful. It crisps foods quickly and efficiently because hot air circulates around the food. Even if you’re not a frequent fryer, an air fryer makes tasks like cooking salmon, reheating leftovers, and crisping vegetables fast and reliable. Choose a unit large enough to fit multiple fillets in a single layer so air can circulate properly.

Best Way to Cook Salmon (Air Fryer Method)

Preheat your air fryer at 400°F or use its preheat function. Place salmon fillets on a plate and brush or drizzle evenly with unagi sauce or a teriyaki glaze.

Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between them so hot air circulates. Set the fryer to 350°F and cook for about 8 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. The salmon should be tender and flaky but still moist inside.

Carefully transfer the fillets to a serving plate, sprinkle generously with furikake, and scatter thinly sliced green onions on top. Serve hot, warm, at room temperature, or even cold for salads and sandwiches.

A great side to serve with this air fryer salmon is a simple rice noodle stir-fry or steamed rice and quick pickled vegetables for a balanced, flavorful meal.