Making air fryer salmon with skin is a delicious way to get tender and flaky salmon and crispy skin! Seasoned with just olive oil, salt and pepper, this air fried Whole30 salmon is a healthy weeknight meal that is on the table in less than 15 minutes!
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Air frying salmon is one of my go to weeknight recipes when I am out of ideas and need something healthy, fast! I started making this recipe when I was doing Whole30 and it's lived well beyond that time.
Along with this recipe staple, the air fryer has been my constant companion in the kitchen for the past two years. If you are in need of ideas, check out the free printable air fryer cookbook I've compiled - these are some of our favorite healthy air fryer recipes.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- Full of nutrients and healthy fats making it perfect for any dietary restriction including low carb, paleo, keto, pescatarian and Whole30.
- Easy to make on busy weeknights. No need to marinade and quick to prep in less than 5 minutes.
- Can be made using frozen salmon.
- Making air fried salmon keeps the fillet super juicy and gives you the option to eat it with the skin or without. It's also much easier to remove the skin after air frying than before!
- Healthier than using a deep fryer!
- No need to turn on the stove!
- Great base for healthy salads or bowls. Try this recipe for Old Bay salmon if you like it a little spicy.
Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Salmon: your favorite kind will be perfect here. I personally love using the wild-caught Alaskan sockeye which you can find both frozen and fresh at many different grocers.
- Olive Oil: you can also substitute olive oil for melted ghee or butter.
How to Make This Recipe
This is a step by step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. Exact cook time and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.
Start by drizzling olive oil on both sides of the fillet and then seasoning then both with salt and pepper.
Spray the basket with coconut oil spray (this helps to prevent sticking) and then place salmon fillets skin side down. Cook for 7 minutes at 390F. If you want super crispy air fried salmon skin then flip halfway.
Expert Tips
- Cooking time will vary based on size of your fillet.
- If you've had issues with it sticking, try cooking skin side up the entire time.
- If you cook the salmon frozen you may need to add additional salt and pepper once cooked. Season to taste. You will also want to adjust cook times if cooking from frozen.
- Do not rinse salmon prior to cooking, however you will want to pat it dry to ensure that the olive oil and seasonings adhere.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer: You can safely re-freeze cooked salmon, however for best texture and taste, re-freezing cooked salmon is not recommended.
- Reheating: Reheat cooked salmon by air frying for 3 minutes at 390F or until heated through.
- For additional flavor options brush on some melted garlic butter, teriyaki sauce or top with pesto.
FAQs
Air frying at 390F and oven baking at 400F has been the best temperatures I've used.
Once you're done cooking, you should ensure the salmon is cooked to 145F according to the FDA. An instant-read thermometer is very helpful when cooking salmon.
Although largely left to personal preference, I think that using the Ninja Foodi or air frying with the model you have is the best and easiest way to make it. It's fast and tastes just as delicious and crispy as the oven method - maybe even more so.
I like to serve it with some veggies like brussel sprouts, asparagus, green beans or broccoli and a side salad like a spinach salad or a pasta salad. Sweet potato slices or fries are also a great side.
I bake mine in the oven using the Pioneer Woman's recipe. The Pioneer Woman salmon method is quite possibly the easiest recipe I've ever seen.
After seasoning your salmon with salt and pepper, you drizzle it with olive oil and place it in a cold oven.
Turn the oven on to 400F and set the timer for 20 minutes. When it's done you have perfect baked salmon.
Related Recipes
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Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets 4 ounces each
- 4 teaspoon olive oil
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spray basket with coconut oil spray.
- Season fillets with salt and pepper. Drizzle each with 1 teaspoon olive oil and rub into fillet.
- Place fillets skin side down and air fry for 7 minutes at 390F. Cooking time will vary depending on size of the fillet.
Notes
- Cooking time will vary based on size of your fillet.
- If you've had issues with it sticking, try cooking skin side up the entire time.
- If you cook the salmon with skin frozen you may need to add additional salt and pepper once cooked. Season to taste. You will also want to adjust cook times if cooking from frozen.
- Do not rinse salmon prior to cooking, however you will want to pat it dry to ensure that the olive oil and seasonings adhere.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer: You can safely re-freeze cooked salmon, however for best texture and taste, re-freezing cooked salmon is not recommended.
- Reheating: Reheat cooked salmon by air frying for 3 minutes at 390F or until heated through.
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