dailynewsnblog
Salmon is America’s most popular fish for a reason. It’s mega-healthy, easy to cook, and relatively inexpensive. Making it at home doesn’t require a culinary degree, but you can still screw it up. Salmon also creates cleanup challenges since pan-frying often leaves some serious stovetop splatter. With quick, nutritious weeknight dinners in mind, I searched high and low for the easiest, fastest, and cleanest way to sizzle a filet.
The Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer: CNET’s Best Overall
I found it in the air fryer, a countertop appliance that’s built its reputation on wings and fries, but is far more than a one- or two-trick pony. The air fryer handles salmon, tuna, and just about any fish you throw at it with speed, minimal mess, and without saturating your entire kitchen in a seafood smell.
For busy nights when I need something affordable, healthy and quick, this air fryer salmon is an easy decision. You can also play with the recipe, mixing and matching sauces, seasoning and sides until you find a flavor that fits your taste. Salmon tacos are a particular favorite in this house.
A fresh filet and seasonings are all you need to make the perfect air fryer salmon dinner.
David Watsky/CNET
Here’s how to make perfect air fryer salmon.
Ingredients for air fryer salmon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 green onion, diced
- Salmon filet
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parchment paper (optional)
Read more: Best BBQ Sauces
Best Seafood Delivery Services for 2026
Directions for air fryer salmon
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F on either “air fry” or “roast.”
- Step 2: Whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce and green onion.
- Step 3: Pat the salmon filet dry and place it in the air fryer on a parchment-lined tray (paper optional).
- Step 4: Pour the soy sauce mixture over the salmon and brush to coat completely.
- Step 5: Close the basket and cook for about 8 minutes, checking with a fork or an internal probe for doneness (cook a minute or two more if you prefer your salmon medium-well or well done).
Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium-rare salmon.
David Watsky/CNET
And for more, see our favorite places to order salmon online and the best air fryers we tested. If you’re wondering how these trendy and efficient countertop cookers work and which model is best, read my complete guide to air fryers.
Air fryer salmon FAQ
undefined
What else can I cook in the air fryer?
The air fryer is my go-to for roasted chicken, replacing my slow and dirty dish-heavy oven recipe. I recently learned to make juicy air fryer cheeseburgers and sizzle bacon in less than 10 minutes and without dirtying a skillet or sheet pan.
Why should I use an air fryer instead of an oven?
Air fryers are incredibly convenient and can do many of the same jobs that an oven can. They only take a couple of minutes to preheat, contain many of the cooking messes you’d otherwise have to spend time cleaning up and are overall more energy-efficient cooking appliances.
What’s the biggest limitation of cooking with an air fryer?
When you’re planning to cook meals with an air fryer, you need to make sure you have enough space inside of your appliance for the food you want to cook. Many air fryers can accommodate for a single person’s serving size, but you’ll likely have to run the air fryer multiple times to make enough food for your whole family.
Can I bake in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. The air fryer functions just like a convection oven, making it suitable for baking cookies, brownies and more.
See full bio
