Air Fryer Salmon With Skin: Perfectly Crispy Fish

If you’re looking for a quick, healthy dinner that delivers restaurant-quality results, air fryer salmon with skin is your answer. This cooking method produces perfectly crispy salmon skin while keeping the flesh tender, moist, and flaky—all in under 15 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about making crispy skin salmon in the air fryer.

Table of Contents

How to Cook the Best Air Fryer Salmon in Just 15 Minutes

Why Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer?

Air frying salmon has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. Here’s why this method beats traditional cooking techniques:

Time-Saving: Your air fryer salmon recipe takes just 7-8 minutes of cooking time, with total prep-to-plate time of 15 minutes or less.

Healthier Cooking: Unlike pan-frying, you use minimal oil while still achieving that coveted crispy exterior. This makes it a perfect healthy air fryer salmon option.

Consistent Results: The circulating hot air ensures even cooking throughout, so you’ll never end up with overcooked edges and raw centers.

Minimal Cleanup: No splattering oil, no dirty stovetop—just one air fryer basket to clean.

Perfect Texture: The high heat creates crispy salmon skin air fryer perfection while the interior stays moist and tender.

Choosing the Right Salmon

For the best air fryer salmon with skin, consider these tips:

Skin-On vs Skinless: While you can use either, keeping the skin on helps protect the delicate flesh from drying out and creates that irresistible crispy texture. The skin also peels off easily after cooking if you prefer not to eat it.

Fresh vs Frozen: Fresh salmon works best, but you can absolutely use frozen salmon in air fryer. Just add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time and season while still frozen.

Size Matters: Choose fillets that are similar in thickness (ideally 1-1.5 inches thick) so they cook evenly. Each fillet should weigh about 6 ounces.

Types of Salmon: Atlantic, sockeye, coho, or king salmon all work beautifully. Choose wild-caught when possible for the best flavor and nutritional value.

The Perfect Air Fryer Salmon Seasoning

The beauty of easy air fryer salmon is that you can keep the seasoning simple or get creative. Here’s a foolproof spice blend:

Basic Salmon Seasoning Recipe

1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
1 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic granules
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Alternative Seasoning Ideas

Lemon Herb: Fresh dill, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper

Cajun Style: Cajun seasoning blend with a touch of brown sugar for balance

Asian-Inspired: Ginger powder, sesame oil, soy sauce, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

Everything Bagel: Everything bagel seasoning for a trendy twist

Mediterranean: Dried oregano, thyme, lemon pepper, and garlic

Step-by-Step: How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for perfect air fryer salmon fillets every time:

Preparation

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This ensures the salmon starts cooking immediately and helps achieve crispy skin.
Pat the salmon dry using paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Mix your seasonings in a small bowl, combining all dry ingredients.
Brush with oil on both sides of the salmon. Don’t skip this step—it helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
Apply the seasoning generously, pressing it gently into the flesh so it adheres well.

Cooking

Place salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Make sure fillets aren’t touching or overlapping.
Cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes without flipping. The exact time depends on thickness:
- Thin fillets (¾ inch): 6-7 minutes
- Medium fillets (1 inch): 7-8 minutes
- Thick fillets (1.5 inches): 9-10 minutes
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read 120°F (49°C) when removed from the air fryer. The salmon will continue cooking as it rests, reaching the safe temperature of 145°F.
Rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute.

Tips for the Crispiest Salmon Skin

Getting that perfectly crispy skin air fryer salmon requires a few key techniques:

Start with dry skin: Pat the skin thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning. Any moisture will steam rather than crisp.

Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between fillets for proper air circulation.

Skin-side down only: There’s no need to flip the salmon. The hot air cooks it from all sides.

Higher heat works: 400°F is ideal for achieving crispy skin without overcooking the flesh.

Avoid marinades: For the crispiest results, use a dry rub rather than wet marinades which add moisture.

How to Tell When Salmon is Done

Perfect air fryer salmon cook time varies slightly based on thickness, but here are foolproof indicators:

Temperature: The most reliable method is using an instant-read thermometer. Remove at 120-125°F for medium doneness.

Flake Test: Gently press the salmon with a fork. It should flake easily but still look slightly translucent in the very center.

Visual Cues: The flesh should be opaque throughout with just a hint of translucency in the middle. Overcooked salmon looks dry and pale.

Touch Test: The salmon should feel firm but still have a slight give when pressed gently.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon

Complete your meal with these delicious sides that pair perfectly with salmon in air fryer:

Vegetables:

Roasted asparagus with lemon
Garlic butter Brussels sprouts
Sautéed green beans
Air fryer broccoli
Roasted cherry tomatoes

Starches:

Garlic butter rice
Creamy mashed potatoes
Buttery boiled potatoes with herbs
Quinoa pilaf
Sweet potato wedges

Salads:

Fresh cucumber salad
Creamy coleslaw
Mixed greens with vinaigrette
Caesar salad
Greek salad

Sauces:

Creamy dill sauce
Lemon butter sauce
Garlic aioli
Teriyaki glaze
Chimichurri

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator Storage: Let the air fryer salmon with skin cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer Storage: Properly stored, cooked salmon freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.

Reheating: The air fryer is also perfect for reheating. Place cold salmon in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. This helps maintain the crispy skin texture.

Cold Options: Leftover salmon is delicious served cold in salads, grain bowls, or salmon cakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with an easy air fryer salmon recipe, there are pitfalls to watch for:

Overcooking: Salmon continues to cook after removal. Pull it at 120°F, not 145°F.

Skipping the preheat: A cold air fryer means uneven cooking and less crispy skin.

Using too much oil: A light coating is all you need. Too much oil can make the salmon greasy.

Overcrowding the basket: This creates steam instead of the dry heat needed for crispiness.

Not patting dry: Moisture prevents browning and creates a steamed texture instead of crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you flip salmon in the air fryer?

No! Unlike other proteins, air fryer salmon fillets don’t need to be flipped. The circulating air cooks the fish evenly from all sides while the skin-side down position protects the delicate flesh.

Can I cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?

Absolutely. Frozen salmon air fryer cooking is simple—just add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time. Season the frozen fillets and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, checking for doneness with a thermometer.

What temperature should I cook salmon in the air fryer?

For the best results with crispy skin salmon air fryer, cook at 400°F (200°C). This high temperature creates the perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.

How long does it take to cook salmon in an air fryer?

Air fryer salmon cook time is typically 7-8 minutes at 400°F for fillets that are about 1 inch thick. Thinner fillets may take 6-7 minutes, while thicker cuts need 9-10 minutes.

Should I remove the skin before cooking?

While you can remove it, keeping the skin on during cooking helps the salmon stay moist and creates a delicious crispy texture. The skin peels off easily after cooking if you prefer not to eat it.

Can I cook multiple salmon fillets at once?

Yes, as long as they’re not touching or overlapping. Make sure there’s space between each fillet for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.

Why This is the Best Method for Cooking Salmon

After trying countless methods, air fryer salmon with skin consistently delivers the best results for home cooks. Here’s why:

The high heat and circulating air create the perfect environment for crispy skin without deep frying. The controlled temperature prevents overcooking, which is the most common mistake when preparing salmon. The hands-off cooking method means you can prep your sides while the fish cooks to perfection.

Most importantly, this healthy air fryer salmon method requires minimal oil while delivering maximum flavor. You get all the satisfaction of crispy, restaurant-quality fish without the guilt or the mess of traditional frying methods.

Final Tips for Success

Making perfect crispy salmon skin air fryer style comes down to three key factors: dry skin, proper temperature, and not overcooking. Master these elements, and you’ll have a reliable weeknight dinner that feels special every time.

Start with quality salmon, keep your seasonings simple (or get creative!), and trust the process. With just 15 minutes from start to finish, this easy air fryer salmon recipe will quickly become your go-to method for cooking this nutritious fish.

Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or preparing a special meal, air fryer salmon fillets deliver impressive results with minimal effort. The combination of crispy skin, tender flesh, and endless seasoning possibilities makes this a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Now that you have all the knowledge you need, it’s time to fire up that air fryer and create your own perfectly crispy, delicious salmon dinner tonight!