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Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter

A close-up of a beautifully browned fillet of air fryer salmon topped with melted butter and fresh parsley.
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Achieve perfectly crispy skin and flaky, juicy interior every time you cook salmon in your air fryer. This simple lemon garlic butter recipe is fast and ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  4. Lightly brush the salmon with olive oil. Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on fillets.
  5. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  6. While the salmon cooks, prepare the lemon garlic butter: In a small dish, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Stir well.
  7. Once the salmon is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket.
  8. Brush the lemon garlic butter mixture generously over the top of each hot salmon fillet.
  9. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For the best crispy results, ensure your air fryer basket is not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • If you prefer a different flavor, substitute the lemon garlic butter with 2 tablespoons of your favorite Teriyaki or Honey Garlic sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
  • This recipe works well for a quick air fryer dinner for one or two people.

Nutrition

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