How to Cook Perfect Salmon in an Air Fryer in Under 10 Minutes - CNET

I'm on a tear when it comes to cooking in my air fryer. Recent discoveries include air fryer-roasted chicken and air fryer cheeseburgers made completely in the countertop cooker. Even bacon can be sizzled in under 10 minutes using one of these powerful convection ovens. 

My latest air fryer recipe revelation comes from under the sea. Air fryer salmon is fast, almost completely mess-free and perfect for weeknights when you need something healthy and delicious "on-the-fly" (to borrow some restaurant lingo).

As with many types of fish, salmon does well with a blast of high heat to give the outer layer a crust without overcooking it through the middle, and air fryers are designed to do just that. What's more, your air fryer basket will contain the fish better than most cooking devices, mitigating some of the fishy smell.

Air fryers only take a couple of minutes to preheat so if you're making a quick weeknight meal for one or two, cooking salmon in the air fryer is an ace up your sleeve. Air fryers also cost less to run and use less energy than big ovens, and they don't create an oily mess like searing salmon on the stovetop will.

A fresh filet and seasonings are all you need to make the perfect air fryer salmon dinner.

David Watsky/CNET

To make perfect salmon in your air fryer, you'll need olive oil and a sauce or seasoning -- that's about it. Your flavor agent can come in the form of a dry rub or marinade, either store-bought or homemade. You can also keep the recipe simple with salt, pepper, fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon over the top. Adaptations of this salmon air fryer recipe can see you through a lot of busy evenings without having to resort to expensive and often unhealthy takeout.

Making salmon in the air fryer takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. Here's how to make a perfect fish fifilet every time.

For more, see our favorite places to order salmon online and the best air fryers we tested for 2024. If you're wondering how these trendy and efficient countertop cookers work and which model is best, read my complete guide to air fryers.

Ingredients for air fryer salmon

1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari 1 tsp brown sugar 1 green onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste Parchment paper (optional)

How to make salmon in the air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F on either "air fry" or "roast." Step 2: Whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce and green onion. Step 4: Pat salmon filet dry and place it in the air fryer on top of parchment paper (paper optional). Step 5: Pour soy sauce mixture over salmon, brush to coat completely. Step 6: Close basket and cook for about 8 minutes, checking with a fork or internal probe for doneness (cook a minute or two more if you prefer your salmon medium well or well done).

Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium rare salmon.

David Watsky/CNET