Air Fryer Salmon with Honey Garlic Glaze
This air fryer salmon is flaky and juicy inside with lightly caramelized edges and a sticky honey garlic glaze. It is one of the fastest healthy dinners you can make.
Salmon fillets cook evenly in the air fryer in less than 10 minutes. The hot air sets the outside while the center stays tender and moist, and there is no fishy smell filling the kitchen.
Serve air fryer salmon with rice, steamed vegetables, a green salad, or roasted potatoes.
For a change next time: Air Fryer Red Fish.
Air Fryer Salmon Cooking Time and Temperature
| Stage | Temperature | Time |
| Salmon, 2.5 cm thick | 200°C / 400°F | 8–9 minutes |
| Thin tail pieces | 200°C / 400°F | 6–7 minutes |
| Frozen salmon fillets | 200°C / 400°F | 12–14 minutes |
| Salmon bites (cubes) | 200°C / 400°F | 6–7 minutes |
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Salmon
- Flaky, juicy salmon in under 12 minutes
- Sweet and savory honey garlic glaze
- Healthy and high in protein
- No pan-frying or fishy kitchen
- Works with skin-on or skinless fillets
- Easy to scale for family dinners
Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 🐟 2 salmon fillets (about 150–180 g / 5–6 oz each, 2.5 cm thick)
- 🫒 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 🧂 ½ teaspoon salt
- 🌶️ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 🌶️ ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Honey Garlic Glaze
- 🍯 1 tablespoon honey
- 🥢 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 🧄 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 🍋 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 🧈 1 teaspoon melted butter
To Garnish
- 🌿 Chopped parsley or green onions
- 🍋 Lemon wedges
- ⚪ Sesame seeds (optional)
Equipment You’ll Need
- Paper towels
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Thin spatula
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon
1. Dry the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Remove any pin bones you can feel.
2. Season the Fillets
Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Mix the Glaze
Stir honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and melted butter together in a small bowl.
4. Preheat and Arrange
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes. Place the salmon skin-side down on a piece of perforated parchment or directly in the greased basket.
5. Air Fry the Salmon
Cook for 5 minutes. Brush the glaze generously over the top.
6. Finish Cooking
Cook for another 3–4 minutes until the glaze is sticky and the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
7. Serve
Lift the air fryer salmon out with a thin spatula, garnish with parsley or green onions, and serve with lemon wedges.
- Salmon is fully cooked at 63°C / 145°F; many cooks remove it at 52–57°C / 125–135°F for a softer, moist center.
- Add the honey glaze halfway, not at the start, or it may burn.
- Do not flip salmon fillets; they are delicate and cook through without flipping.
- Thinner fillets may be ready in 6–7 minutes total, so check early.
How to Tell When Salmon Is Done
- Fork test: the thickest part flakes easily.
- Color: the flesh turns from translucent to opaque pink.
- Thermometer: 63°C / 145°F for fully cooked, a little less for a softer center.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Salmon
Variations to Try
- Lemon dill salmon: Top with lemon slices and fresh dill instead of the glaze.
- Cajun salmon: Season with Cajun spice and serve with lime.
- Teriyaki salmon: Brush with teriyaki sauce halfway through.
- Pesto salmon: Spread basil pesto over the fillets before cooking.
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Salmon
Refrigerate leftover air fryer salmon in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently at 160°C / 320°F for 3–4 minutes, or flake the cold salmon into salads and rice bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
This air fryer salmon is flaky, flavorful, and ready in about 12 minutes. The honey garlic glaze makes it taste special with almost no extra effort.
It is a healthy, quick dinner you will want to make again and again. A good companion dish: Air Fryer Cod.
