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Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter

Close-up of a perfectly cooked, glazed air fryer salmon fillet topped with herbs on a white plate.
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Cook salmon fillets in your air fryer for a crispy exterior and juicy, flaky interior. This easy recipe uses lemon and garlic butter for simple, intense flavor, perfect for a quick 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 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step helps achieve a crispy exterior.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside.
  3. Rub the salmon fillets with olive oil. Season all sides evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Thicker fillets need closer to 12 minutes.
  7. After 8 minutes, brush the tops of the salmon generously with the lemon garlic butter mixture.
  8. Continue cooking until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  9. Remove the salmon from the air fryer. Drizzle any remaining butter mixture over the top and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, place the salmon skin-side down first and cook for 4 minutes before brushing with butter and flipping, if desired.
  • If you prefer a sweeter glaze, substitute half the butter mixture with honey for a honey garlic salmon variation.
  • Cooking time varies based on your air fryer model and salmon thickness; check for doneness early.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheffinity.com/air-fryer-salmon-crispy-juicy-lemon-garlic/