Tender, flaky salmon filets cooked to perfection in your air fryer. To make this recipe, you only need a few simple things, and it doesn’t take long to put together.
Seriously, 15 minutes in real time. How cool is that? We can get a protein- and health-rich salmon filet faster than we can wait in line at a fast food restaurant!
Our air fryer has become such a huge part of our daily meal routine. We absolutely love it! It’s really the perfect kitchen appliance and one of our most frequently used. The air fryer makes quick, healthy (or really tasty) meals in the blink of an eye when it’s really hot outside in the summer. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking with their ability to make juicy, tender salmon with ease. But how long exactly should you cook salmon fillets in an air fryer set at 350°F?
The answer depends on the thickness of your fillets Follow this guide for timings to achieve flaky, moist salmon cooked through but not dried out
Air Fryer Salmon Benefits
Air frying salmon has many advantages over oven baking or pan frying:
- Super quick – cooks in just 8-12 minutes
- Less oil needed – a light brushing is enough
- Even browning and crisping on the outside
- Tender and juicy inside
- Simple cleanup
With circulating hot air rather than direct heat, an air fryer avoids overcooking the fish The result is restaurant-quality salmon without much effort!
Factors That Affect Cook Time
When deciding how long to cook salmon fillets in an air fryer, think about the following:
Thickness – The thicker the fillet, the longer the cook time. Thickness has the biggest impact on doneness.
Weight – Heavier fillets over 8 oz may need a couple extra minutes.
Temperature – Cook time decreases as air fryer temp rises. 350°F is ideal for salmon.
Quantity – Avoid overcrowding. Cook fewer fillets at once for even cooking.
Preferred Doneness – Cook longer for well done, shorter for rare to medium rare.
Recommended Cook Times
Based on salmon fillet thickness and the factors above, here are the approximate air fryer cook times:
1 inch thick – Cook 8-9 minutes
1.5 inches thick – Cook 9-11 minutes
2 inches thick – Cook 11-13 minutes
These times are for fillets between 6-8 oz each at 350°F. Always check for doneness by flaking the center with a fork and ensuring it’s opaque.
For reference, salmon is safely cooked to 145°F and should not exceed 160°F internally. So use an instant read thermometer for the most accurate doneness.
Below are more details on achieving perfect air fryer salmon using 350°F and ideal cook times.
Step 1 – Prepare the Fillets
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Buy fresh salmon fillets about 6-8 oz each. Wild caught is healthiest.
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For even cooking, choose similarly sized fillets around 1-1.5 inches thick.
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Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Make sure no moisture is on the surface.
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Brush both sides very lightly with olive oil or melted butter. This helps browning.
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Season as desired. Lemon pepper, garlic salt, paprika and dill pair well.
Step 2 – Pre-Heat and Cook
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Pre-heat air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
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Spray the basket lightly with oil or line with parchment paper.
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Place fillets in the basket so they aren’t touching.
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Cook at 350°F, using recommended cook times based on thickness.
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For crispy skin, flip fillets halfway through. But not required!
Step 3 – Check for Doneness
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Salmon should flake apart and be opaque in center when it’s ready.
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Use a thermometer to check 145°F internal temperature for medium doneness.
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If not done enough, cook 2-3 more minutes and recheck.
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Avoid overcooking or it will dry out quickly.
Step 4 – Let Rest and Serve
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Once cooked through, immediately remove fillets from the air fryer.
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Allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
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The temperature will rise slightly as it rests.
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Salmon tastes amazing with lemon slices, fresh dill, rice, roasted veggies or salad!
Common FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking salmon in an air fryer:
Should you flip the salmon? It’s not necessary, but helps get crispy skin on both sides. Cook 4 minutes one side, flip and cook 4 more minutes.
Can you put salmon straight on the basket? Yes, just coat the basket with oil spray first. No need for liner.
Should you brush with oil or butter? Either works! Butter provides richer flavor. Oil helps browning.
Is foil or parchment paper needed? No, but these can make the salmon easier to remove after cooking.
Can you reheat leftover salmon in an air fryer? Absolutely, at 300°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through.
More Air Fryer Salmon Recipe Tips
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Try different seasonings – Cajun spice, teriyaki, brown sugar glazes, etc
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Add fresh herbs – Rosemary, dill, thyme and parsley pair perfectly
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Make easy foil packets – Pouch the salmon with veggies and seasoning
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Add compound butter – Top with garlic herb or lemon dill butter
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Use a marinade – Soak salmon in a marinade up to 30 minutes before cooking
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Air fry salmon burgers – Top with avocado, lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce
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Cook a whole salmon side – Use 400°F and check for doneness carefully
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Skewer into kebabs – Alternate with veggies, peppers, onions for a fun dinner
So for tender, flaky salmon fillets cooked in an air fryer, allow 8-13 minutes at 350°F depending on thickness. Follow these tips to achieve restaurant-quality salmon worth bragging about!
Why I love this recipe?
Many air fryer recipes use breading. There’s no need to bread these salmon filets for this recipe. We’ll just add some simple spices, put them in the air fryer, and let it do its thing. Cooked to perfection and the flavor is awesome.
We use fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and a little salt to season our salmon. First, we brush the filets with a little melted butter. Yep, that’s it! We like to use coarse ground black pepper directly from the pepper mill. But any ground black pepper will do. You can also choose to use smoked paprika vs. regular paprika. Smoked paprika has a very earthy, smoky flavor that makes salmon sing and dance.
We like to put aluminum foil in the air fryer basket or on the tray for this recipe. Then, give it a little spray with some non-stick cooking spray. Salmon skin (if using skin-on filets) really likes to stick, so the foil helps with cleanup. No worries, it won’t affect the outcome of the recipe.
Brush the top of the salmon filets with butter and add the seasonings.
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390°(F). Starting with a preheated air fryer is important as it helps give the salmon a nice color on top. After preheating, in it goes at 390°(F) for 10 minutes for 6-ounce filets. If your filets are bigger, you can adjust the time accordingly and add a minute or two. When the time is up, the salmon filets will have a beautiful caramelization on top and will easily flake apart with a fork. The internal temperature should be at least 145°(F) when measured in the thickest part of the salmon with an instant-read thermometer. This is the key to making great salmon. Using an instant-read thermometer will be your best friend for cooking in general.
Once the cook time is complete your salmon filets are ready to serve immediately. Squeeze some lemon juice over the fish to add a nice, delicious vibrancy to the taste. You can also add some parsley flakes or fresh dill. Salmon pairs perfectly with fresh asparagus. You can cook the asparagus right alongside the salmon in the air fryer. Just cut off the tough ends, sprinkle with salt and olive oil, and put them in the air fryer after two minutes. Since the asparagus cooks faster than the fish, adding it after two minutes helps make sure that everything is done at the same time.
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