Air fryer salmon offers a quick and healthy way to prepare this flavorful fish, giving you a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and juicy inside. What makes this recipe stand out is the balanced sweet and tangy glaze, which perfectly complements the rich taste of the salmon. The ingredients are simple but combine to create a mouth-watering dish, full of flavor and texture, and ideal for a busy weeknight dinner. Air frying ensures that the salmon is evenly cooked, with minimal effort and cleanup, making it a go-to for anyone looking to enjoy a satisfying meal without too much fuss.

What Makes Air Fryer Salmon So Special?

Salmon is known for its rich taste, healthy fats, and high protein content. By air frying, you can lock in moisture, while still getting that crisp, golden crust that adds so much flavor. The high temperature of the air fryer helps caramelize the glaze, giving each bite a sweet yet smoky depth. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe makes cooking salmon simple and foolproof.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon

The ingredients for this recipe are basic yet effective, ensuring that you can recreate this dish without needing to source specialty items. Here’s what you’ll need for the glaze:

Fresh Salmon Fillets (4, 6-ounce each): Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a great choice for a healthy meal. Make sure your fillets are fresh and of good quality.
Sugar-Free Maple Syrup (2 tablespoons): This syrup gives the glaze its sweetness, while keeping the sugar content low.
Olive Oil (1 tablespoon): Olive oil not only helps bind the glaze together but also helps prevent the salmon from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Stone Ground Dijon Mustard (1 teaspoon): The tanginess of mustard balances the sweetness of the maple syrup, adding a nice depth of flavor to the dish.
Regular Dijon Mustard (1 teaspoon): A bit milder, the addition of regular Dijon complements the stone-ground version, giving you a smoother finish to the glaze.
Smoked Paprika (1 teaspoon): This adds a smoky flavor that elevates the dish, giving it a distinct aroma and taste.
Garlic Salt (½ teaspoon): The garlic flavor enhances the savory side of the salmon, and the salt helps to bring the flavors together.
Ground Pepper (¼ teaspoon): A pinch of black pepper adds a bit of heat and sharpness, making the glaze pop with flavor.

How to Prepare the Salmon in the Air Fryer

Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for about 7 minutes. This ensures the air fryer is at the right temperature for cooking the salmon evenly.
Prep the Salmon Fillets: Pat the salmon fillets dry on all sides with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial to achieving a crispy finish.
Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the two types of Dijon mustard, olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and pepper. Whisk them together until you have a smooth, well-blended glaze.
Coat the Salmon: Spoon the glaze mixture generously over each salmon fillet, ensuring that the top and sides are well-coated. The sweetness from the maple syrup and the tang from the mustard will create a beautiful layer of flavor. You can brush olive oil on the bottom of the salmon to help keep it moist and prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Cook the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets into the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer. This step is key to achieving perfectly cooked salmon, with a tender inside and slightly crisp edges.

Air Fryer Salmon Cooking Tips

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: If your air fryer is small, it’s better to cook the salmon in batches to ensure even cooking. Overcrowding can lead to uneven results, with some parts of the fish being undercooked.
Use a Thermometer: To ensure your salmon is perfectly cooked, always check the internal temperature. At 125°F, the salmon should be perfectly tender and juicy, while still being safe to eat.
Adjust for Thickness: If your salmon fillets are thicker than average, you may need to cook them for an extra minute or two. Similarly, thinner fillets may cook a little faster, so keep an eye on them.

Optional Variations and Substitutions

Substitute for Maple Syrup: If you prefer a different flavor, you can use honey or agave nectar as a substitute for the sugar-free maple syrup. Both will provide a similar sweetness with a slight variation in flavor.
Spicy Twist: For those who like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze to give it a spicy kick.
Herb Infusion: Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley can be sprinkled on top of the salmon before cooking to add an herbal note.

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Salmon!

This quick and easy air fryer salmon is the perfect dish when you want a flavorful, healthy meal in no time. The sweet and tangy glaze adds a burst of flavor to the tender salmon fillets, and the air fryer cooks everything evenly, making it crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 9 mins

Total Time: 19 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

4 6-ounce fresh salmon fillets
2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon stone ground dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 7 minutes.
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dijon mustard, maple syrup, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and pepper.
Coat each fillet with the glaze mixture, making sure to cover the top and sides evenly.
Lightly brush the bottom of the fillets with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F.

Notes:

If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the salmon in the oven at 425°F for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 343kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 43g
Fat: 17g
Sugar: 1g