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!
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.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make air fryer salmon:
- Salmon: I found fresh Atlantic salmon on a good sale, so that’s what I used. I often find frozen salmon to be cheaper– just thaw before using.
- Cooking Spray: Helps the salmon brown and crisp in the air fryer.
- Soy Sauce: Adds salty umami flavor to the salmon.
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness to the salmon.
- Spices: Freshly cracked black pepper and garlic powder enhance the salty-sweet flavor of this salmon.
What’s the Best Way To Thaw Frozen Salmon?
There are three ways to safely defrost salmon: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. I recommend thawing salmon overnight in the refrigerator whenever possible since it gives you a few extra days of storage before you need to cook the meat.
Day of, I recommend thawing in cold water. Leave the tap streaming just enough to keep the water moving, or change out the water every 15 minutes or so, until the fish is fully thawed. Fish thawed this way must be cooked immediately. I do not generally recommend thawing anything in the microwave, as it can negatively impact the texture of the food, although it is technically safe.
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!”
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.*
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
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.
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.*
This Air Fryer Salmon is quick, easy, and so delicious!
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!