Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter
Make restaurant-quality salmon tonight! This easy air fryer salmon recipe delivers perfectly crispy skin and flaky, juicy interior every time. It is ready in under 15 minutes, making it a fantastic choice for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 17 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside.
- Rub the salmon fillets lightly with olive oil. Season all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch.
- Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Brush the tops of the cooked salmon generously with the lemon garlic butter mixture.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
- For the crispiest skin, place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket.
- If your fillets are very thick (over 1.5 inches), you may need to increase the cook time by 1-2 minutes.
- This recipe works well for low carb air fryer dinner goals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 105
