The easiest, most reliable way to cook salmon is in the air fryer. With just four main ingredients and about eight minutes of cook time, air fryer salmon comes out moist, flavorful, and simple enough for weeknight dinners.
Air frying is largely hands-off: you dress the fillets with your favorite flavors and the appliance does the rest. In this version we use just salmon, unagi sauce, furikake, and green onions—two of those are garnish—resulting in a bright, savory finish.
Salmon in Air Fryer
The air fryer is an ideal method for cooking salmon, whether you start with fresh fillets or previously frozen ones thawed according to package directions. Higher-quality salmon gives a more impressive result; skin-on wild-caught fillets are a favorite, though skinless works fine as well.
If using frozen fillets, be sure to thaw them fully before beginning. This method is not intended for cooking fish straight from frozen. You can cook one large fillet and portion it afterward or use individual portions—either works.
Salmon reaches its best texture and flavor at an internal temperature of about 120–125°F: aim lower for wild-caught fish and a touch higher for farmed salmon. The air fryer makes it easy to hit this juicy sweet spot without drying the fish.
While you have the air fryer out, you can experiment with other quick dishes like honey-sriracha tofu or blistered shishito peppers for easy sides or snacks.
Best Seasoning for Salmon
For a simple, punchy seasoning, Japanese flavors are a natural match. Unagi sauce and furikake combine sweetness, savory depth, and a toasted finish that elevate the fish without fuss.
Furikake is a dry condiment typically made from nori, sesame seeds, bonito flakes, and other seasonings. It adds umami and texture—sprinkle it over fish, vegetables, or rice for instant flavor. If you don’t have furikake on hand, toasted sesame seeds plus a pinch of salt and a little seaweed or flaky fish seasoning can make a suitable substitute.
Unagi sauce, often called eel sauce, is a sticky glaze made from soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and sake. Despite the name, it contains no eel—it’s simply named after the sauce commonly served with grilled eel. Use store-bought unagi sauce or teriyaki glaze to give the salmon a glossy, flavorful finish.
Salmon Recipes
This quick air fryer salmon is perfect for everyday meals, but there are many other appealing preparations: crispy-skin salmon with a pine nut and parsley crust, blackened salmon Caesar salad, or smoked salmon dishes like smoked salmon pasta salad or a smoked salmon cucumber “pizza” for parties or light lunches.
Air Fryer Salmon
A reliable air fryer is a worthwhile kitchen tool, especially if you cook for more than one person. Choose a model with enough capacity for the number of fillets you prepare so air can circulate properly around the food—this circulation is what gives the salmon an even cook and a clean finish.
Whether you need an appliance for a family of four or just two, the right size air fryer makes this recipe efficient and consistent. A medium to large basket works best for cooking multiple fillets in a single layer.
Best Way to Cook Salmon
Preheat the air fryer (use the preheat setting or set to 400°F). Place the salmon fillets on a plate and drizzle evenly with unagi sauce. When the air fryer has reached temperature, arrange fillets in a single layer in the basket with a little space between them.
Lower the temperature to 350°F and cook for 8 minutes. After cooking, use a flexible spatula to transfer the fillets to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with furikake and scatter thinly sliced green onions over the top. The salmon can be enjoyed hot, warm, at room temperature, or cold, depending on your preference.
Try serving this air fryer salmon with a simple rice noodle stir-fry or steamed rice and quick vegetables for a balanced meal.
Best Way to Cook Salmon – Air Fryer Salmon
Rebecca Lindamood
Equipment
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air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound skin on salmon fillets fresh or thawed from frozen
- 1 tablespoon unagi sauce or teriyaki glaze
- 1 1/2 teaspoons furikake
- 3 green onions root ends trimmed away and thinly sliced
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer using a preheat setting or at 400°F. Lay salmon fillets on a plate and drizzle evenly with unagi sauce.
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When the air fryer has reached temperature, carefully arrange the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between them.
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Set the air fryer to 350˚F. Cook for 8 minutes.
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After 8 minutes, use a flexible metal spatula to slide under each fillet and transfer it to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with furikake and scatter the green onions over the top. Serve hot, warm, room temperature, or cold.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition with the actual ingredients you use if precise values are needed.
