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Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter

Close-up of a flaky, glazed air fryer salmon fillet topped with garlic and herbs on a white plate.
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Achieve perfectly crispy skin and flaky, juicy interior every time you cook salmon in your air fryer. This simple Lemon Garlic Butter recipe is fast, healthy, and ideal for any weeknight dinner.

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 (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets very dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  4. In another small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub the salmon fillets lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over all sides of the fish.
  5. Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes. Cooking time depends on the thickness of your fillets. For thicker fillets, start checking at 10 minutes. You want the internal temperature to reach 145°F (63°C) for flaky results.
  7. Once cooked, immediately brush the melted lemon garlic butter mixture over the tops of the hot salmon fillets.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

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 reduce the temperature slightly to 380°F (195°C) and cook for 13-15 minutes to prevent the outside from burning before the center is done.
  • This recipe works well for salmon bites too; reduce the cook time to 8-10 minutes for bites.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/air-fryer-salmon/