This Salmon Air Fryer Recipe is easy to make and can be ready in just about 30 minutes. It has a crisp sweet and spicy outside with a tender and flaky inside, perfect for any occasion.
Besides reducing the cooking time, cooking perfectly, and keeping things healthy, the air fryer also helps eliminate some of the stronger cooking smells that can come from cooking fish. And if you don’t have an air fryer, or would rather grill your salmon, you can also try this to-die-for Grilled Teriyaki Salmon.
Sweet and Spicy Salmon Air Fryer Recipe
Enjoy healthy, delicious, perfectly cooked salmon with very minimal effort. This salmon air fryer recipe makes the most flakey salmon with a sweet and spicy seasoning made from brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
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Even though fish can feel like more of a special occasion food, this recipe fits right in at the weeknight dinner table. It’s also perfect for holidays like Easter where you want to keep things light and fresh.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So quick to throw together. As long as you have salmon, you can throw this recipe together in just about 30 minutes. That even includes cooking more than one batch of salmon!
- Super healthy. Salmon is one of the most healthy proteins that you can eat. It’s full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, protein, and even calcium. It’s great for your heart and brain, your skin and hair, reducing inflammation, and even your bones. Unfortunately, it can be a little blah, but this recipe kicks the flavor up and keeps things delicious.
- Great for every occasion. This is one of those recipes that’s good any time of year for any occasion. It’s great for busy weeknights as well as holiday meals.
Key Ingredients You Will Need
- Brown Sugar: the brown sugar turns the seasoning into a sweet and spicy glaze as it cooks. For a slightly different flavor profile, you could substitute honey for the brown sugar.
- Seasoning: this recipe calls for using smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It is a little spicy, a little salty, and goes perfectly with the sweet brown sugar.
- Salmon: try to find roughly 4 oz filets so that they will fit well inside the air fryer basket. Either skin-on or skinless will work. If you want to use frozen filets, thaw them in the fridge overnight before using.
- Mustard: just a little bit of spicy brown mustard helps the seasoning mix stay on, and it adds another layer of flavor to coat the salmon while it cooks.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Mix the sweet and spicy seasoning. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, then brush ½ teaspoon of mustard over the top of the filets. Sprinkle with seasoning, then let the fish rest for about 10 minutes.
- Cook. Cook 1-2 filets in the air fryer at a time, making sure there is at least 1” between. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Serve. Serve warm with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish: I recommend keeping things simple so that the salmon has a chance to shine. I like to garnish with a little fresh chopped parsley and maybe a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Salad: with a lighter protein like fish, just about any kind of salad will work well as a side. Grain salads, hearty pasta salads, or just a simple green salad would all be great. A few favorites are this Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, or our classic Caesar Salad.
- Rice and Pasta: when I have fish as a main course, I am always craving something a little starchy to go with it. Try a rice dish like this simple Rice Pilaf, or this heartier Thanksgiving Wild Rice. Just about any kind of simple pasta would also work well, including our Creamy Broccoli Pasta or this Asiago Fettuccine Alfredo.
- Veggies and Potatoes: depending on the time of year, you can choose from either roasted or grilled veggies and potatoes. Or, go ahead and turn it into a completely air fried meal by serving with these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Air Fryer Squash, or Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t be tempted to crowd the air fryer basket. You will most likely need to cook the salmon in batches, so be patient! There should be at least 1” between each piece so that there is enough room for air to circulate all around.
- Make sure the salmon filets are all about the same thickness and size so that they cook evenly.
- For skin-on salmon, cook skin-side down. This will give the skin a chance to get extra crisp and it helps seal in the moisture.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also oven-bake your salmon. Cook in a preheated 425 degree F oven for about 7-9 minutes, or until it easily flakes and reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: to reheat in the air fryer, wrap the salmon in foil and heat in a 350 degree air fryer for just a few minutes.
More You’ll Love
Looking for something quick, easy, healthy, but also totally delicious? This sweet and spicy air fryer salmon recipe checks all of the boxes and more. It’s got a brown sugar, spicy brown mustard, and smoked paprika glaze over the top and cooks up moist and flakey every time. Serve with just about any kind of side and for every occasion.
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound salmon, (4) 4-ounce filets
- 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped; for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, then use a pastry brush to add about 1/2 teaspoon of mustard to each salmon filet. Sprinkle each of the filets with 1/4 of the spice mixture, then let the salmon sit for about 10 minutes before cooking.
- After 10 minutes, place salmon in the preheated air fryer, giving each filet about an inch of space on all sides. If they don't all fit, cook them in batches. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.
- Once cooked, remove the filets from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. Cover with aluminum foil while cooking any remaining salmon. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Categories:
30-Minute Meals, Air Fryer, Dairy-Free, Easter, Easy Weeknight Meals, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Main Dish, Nut-Free, Seafood, Valentine's Day,
