If you crave perfectly cooked salmon with irresistibly crispy skin and tender flaky flesh, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Air Fryer Salmon with Skin. This quick and easy method brings all the rich flavor and satisfying crunch of your favorite seafood restaurant—right to your dinner table, with almost zero fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, Golden Skin: The air fryer guarantees that signature crunchy skin without needing excess oil or splattering pans.
- Effortless Cleanup: With just four basic ingredients and almost no mess, you can enjoy Air Fryer Salmon with Skin even on your busiest nights.
- Juicy, Tender Fillets: High-heat air frying locks in moisture so your salmon is never dry, just moist and flaky every time.
- No-Fuss, Crowd-Pleasing: This recipe is elegant enough for company but so foolproof that even kitchen beginners can shine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just four key ingredients, Air Fryer Salmon with Skin proves that less truly is more. Each ingredient plays a special role in creating fabulous flavor, vibrant color, and melt-in-your-mouth texture—nothing extra needed!
- Salmon fillets (skin-on): The shining star—choose 4-ounce pieces with the skin intact for that iconic crispiness and beautiful presentation.
- Olive oil: Just a drizzle helps lock in moisture and ensures the skin gets perfectly golden in the air fryer.
- Salt: Essential for coaxing out the salmon’s natural flavor and enhancing every bite.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a hint of gentle heat and rounds out the seasoning for a balanced, savory finish.
Variations
This Air Fryer Salmon with Skin is so wonderfully versatile—it easily adapts to your pantry, dietary goals, or latest craving. Don’t be afraid to get creative and truly make it your own!
- Lemon & Herb Twist: Add a sprinkle of dried dill, fresh parsley, or lemon zest before air frying for a punchy, aromatic flavor boost.
- Spicy Cajun: Swap out the salt and pepper for a generous shake of your favorite Cajun or blackening spice blend for a Southern kick.
- Honey Garlic Glaze: Brush the salmon with a mixture of honey, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce right before air frying for a sweet-and-savory finish.
- Asian-Inspired: Try a drizzle of sesame oil in place of olive oil, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
Step 1: Prep the Salmon and Air Fryer
Begin by patting the salmon fillets dry with paper towels—don’t skip this step! A dry surface helps the oil and seasonings cling and encourages the skin to crisp beautifully. While you do this, lightly spray your air fryer basket with coconut oil spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup an absolute breeze.
Step 2: Season and Oil
Place your fillets skin side down on a plate or cutting board. Season both sides with salt and pepper, adjusting to your personal taste. Then drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over each fillet and rub it in gently with your fingers—making sure the whole surface is coated and glistening.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Carefully lay the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Set your air fryer to 390°F and cook for about 7 minutes. (The exact timing may vary by the size of your fillets and your air fryer model.) The fish should be opaque, flaky, and the skin—oh-so crisp and inviting!
Step 4: Adjust and Enjoy
Check your fillets for doneness by gently flaking the thickest part with a fork. If you started with frozen fillets, you might need a couple more minutes. Once perfect, serve immediately for the best crispy skin experience!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
- Skin-Crisping Secret: Make absolutely sure your salmon fillets are thoroughly patted dry before seasoning—this is the real trick to achieving skin that shatters with every bite!
- Even Cooking Matters: Arrange fillets in a single layer with space between them in the air fryer basket for consistent air flow and no soggy spots.
- Flexible Cooking Times: Thicker fillets—especially if cooking from frozen—may need an extra minute or two. Use a fork to check that your salmon flakes easily at the thickest point.
- Basket Care: If you’ve struggled with sticking, try cooking skin side up the whole way through, or lay down a piece of parchment made for air fryers.
How to Serve Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
Garnishes
Your Air Fryer Salmon with Skin shines brightest with just a little fresh flourish—a sprinkle of chopped dill or parsley, curls of lemon zest, or a few jewel-like pomegranate seeds make each plate truly pop. Even a simple wedge of lemon on the side can wake up the dish beautifully.
Side Dishes
This salmon loves company! Pair it with fluffy quinoa, garlicky roasted potatoes, or a refreshing green salad. Steamed asparagus or broccolini, herbed rice, or a crisp cucumber salad are also gorgeous accompaniments.
Creative Ways to Present
Go bistro-style by serving Air Fryer Salmon with Skin atop a bed of arugula with radishes and avocado, or flake it onto wild rice bowls with pickled onions and microgreens. Slice and add it to a warm grain salad, or tuck pieces into a wrap with crisp veggies and herbed yogurt sauce for a next-level lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover salmon keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. For best results, let it cool completely before storing and avoid stacking fillets so the skin stays as crisp as possible.
Freezing
You can safely freeze cooked Air Fryer Salmon with Skin, but be aware that the skin won’t retain its signature crisp after thawing and reheating. For peak texture and flavor, enjoy fresh from the air fryer, though freezing works if you need to store longer.
Reheating
The air fryer is your friend again for reheating—just pop the salmon in at 390°F for about 3 minutes, or until heated through. This method revives a bit of the original crispiness, so leftovers can be almost as dreamy as day one.
FAQs
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Do I need to flip the salmon during air frying?
No flipping required! Cooking the salmon skin side down the whole time allows the skin to crisp up fully and makes lifting the fillet from the basket super easy. If you want ultra-crunchy skin all over, you can try cooking skin side up, but for most gorgeous results, stick with skin side down.
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Can I make Air Fryer Salmon with Skin with frozen salmon fillets?
Absolutely! Just be sure to adjust the cooking time by a couple extra minutes and add additional seasoning after cooking, since some may run off during defrosting in the air fryer. Always check that the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily before serving.
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Why does my salmon sometimes stick to the air fryer basket?
Sticking usually happens if the fillets are damp or if the basket wasn’t greased. Make sure to pat the salmon completely dry and give the basket a good spray of coconut (or other) oil before laying down your fillets. You can also experiment with parchment paper designed for air fryers for extra insurance.
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How do I know when Air Fryer Salmon with Skin is fully cooked?
Your salmon is ready when the flesh goes from translucent to opaque and easily flakes with a fork at its thickest point. The skin should be crisp and golden. If you’re ever unsure, an instant-read thermometer should register 125-130°F for perfectly moist salmon.
Final Thoughts
Give this Air Fryer Salmon with Skin a try the next time you want a fast, fresh dinner that feels a little bit special. It’s the kind of effortless recipe everyone needs in their repertoire—crispy, colorful, and delicious, with every bite bursting with flavor. I can’t wait for you to make it your own!
Print
Air Fryer Salmon with Skin Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Delicious and easy air fryer salmon with crispy skin on the outside and tender, flaky fish on the inside. This recipe requires minimal prep time and is perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Salmon Fillets
- 4 salmon fillets, 4 ounces each
Seasoning
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Salmon: Spray air fryer basket with coconut oil spray. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Cooking: Drizzle each fillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, rubbing it in. Place fillets skin side down in the air fryer. Air fry at 390F for 7 minutes. Adjust cooking time based on fillet size.
Notes
- Cooking time varies with fillet size.
- If sticking occurs, try cooking skin side up.
- Adjust seasoning and cook times if cooking from frozen.
- Do not rinse salmon; pat dry before seasoning.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Re-freezing cooked salmon is safe but affects texture.
- Reheating: Air fry at 390F for 3 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (4 ounces)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
