This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe is a delicious, quick, and easy air fryer meal. Seasoned in a tangy soy sauce and mustard marinade, it's quick to prep and make.
Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
If I could give you one more reason to love your Air Fryer, then I think this is it! Perfectly cooked salmon in your Air Fryer each and every time. I’m a huge fan of making this Crispy Air Fryer Fish recipe, but now I’ll have to add this marinated salmon recipe to the list.
I bet you’re wondering, why make salmon in your Air Fryer? Well, here’s why. This recipe is fast, hands-off, and results in tender flaky salmon.
The air fryer cooks this salmon dish perfectly each and every time for a tasty, healthy, and simple weeknight dinner. This recipe is so fuss-free, and the clean-up is so easy. It's great for a healthy low-carb dinner, and it's one that the whole family will enjoy.
If you don't have an air fryer, no worries, you can bake this salmon in the oven too.
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Salmon Patties and Easy Teriyaki Salmon too!
A Quick Glance at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Salmon - I use salmon filets. You can buy them pre-cut, or buy a large filet and slice it into portions.
- Marinade Base - soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Brown sugar
- Aromatics - minced garlic, green onions
How to make Marinated Salmon in your Air Fryer
Step 1: Gather your ingredients. You'll need four salmon fillets and the marinade ingredients.
Step 2: Place soy sauce, dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Step 3: Pour marinade over salmon. Use a food storage bag for marinating to gently swish the marinade over all the fish, or use a container and roll the fish in the marinade, making sure each piece gets fully covered. Place the fish in the refrigerator and marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 4: Remove fish from the refrigerator. Prepare the Air Fryer basket by spraying it with oil. You can also use an air fryer parchment paper liner.
Step 5: Cook salmon in your Air Fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-12 minutes. Make sure the salmon is not touching so that the air has a chance to flow around it.
Once done, remove and serve with your favorite sides.
How long can you marinate salmon?
I find that 20 minutes is enough time for the salmon to take on the flavors of the soy sauce marinade. Because this marinade is not acidic, you can let it marinate for up to 24 hours.
Seafood is very delicate, so marinades with acid, such as lemon juice, shouldn't be marinated for too long, as they can start to break down the fish.
Can you make this recipe without an air fryer?
This is hands down my favorite method of cooking salmon, but you can marinate the salmon and then either pan fry it or oven-cook it at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
Can you use frozen salmon?
I prefer to use fresh salmon fillets, but you can use frozen if you have those to hand. If you have thinner fillets, the cooking time will need to be reduced. If using frozen, thaw the fillets thoroughly before marinating and cooking.
Best Salmon to use in the Air Fryer
There are many kinds of salmon, and all do well in the air fryer. Do note that farmed Atlantic salmon, a fattier cut of salmon, can withstand longer cook times in the air fryer. When cooking wild salmon with less fat, such as sockeye salmon, reduce the cooking time and temperature to prevent overcooking and drying out.
What do you serve it with?
This marinated air fryer salmon makes for one tasty and easy weeknight meal. Serve it up with a salad, veggies, or potato side dishes for a complete dinner. Try it with Kale Rice or these Air Fried Sweet Potatoes, or try it with some of these other favorites:
- Creamy Dill Potato Salad - a nice spin on a classic potato salad. We love this as a side.
- Quinoa Avocado Salad - this is such a refreshing side dish.
- Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato - A classic vegetable side dish. I add rosemary, salt, and pepper for an added layer of flavor.
Feel free to mix this up a bit and season the salmon with my fish seasoning.
Tanya's Recipe Notes and Tips
- If you're cooking salmon with the skin on and want crispy skin, avoid using a parchment liner. Just grease the grates and add the salmon.
- Your salmon is done if the thickest part of the fillet flakes easily with a fork. When in doubt, check the temperature with a quick-read thermometer. The USDA recommends that the internal temperature of cooked salmon reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If cooking the salmon for 7 minutes, your salmon will be flaky, tender, and moist, and be about medium doneness. Cook longer if you prefer your salmon a bit firm.
- Depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets, the cooking time may vary. Decrease the cooking time for thinner fillets.
More Air Fryer Recipes
I have so many air fryer recipes on the site, but here are a few of my most popular:
- Air Fried Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Dipping Sauce - a delicious appetizer resulting in crispy shrimp.
- Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter - I love cooking steak this way. It comes out perfect everytime.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs - the flavor of these is incredible.
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes - these crab cakes are so tender and come out great in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Lobster Tails - another recipe that comes out perfectly cooked in the air fryer. I like to top these with a little garlic butter.
I hope you love this air fryer salmon recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. I appreciate your support!
Marinated Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk soy sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Pour over salmon fillets, making sure all fillets are covered. Refrigerate and marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove salmon filets from marinade and place in greased or lined Air Fryer basket.
- Air fry for 7-12 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove from Air Fryer and top with chopped green onions. Enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- If cooking salmon with the skin on and you want crispy skin, do not use a parchment liner. Just grease the grates and add the salmon.
- Your salmon is done if the thickest part of the fillet flakes easily with a fork. When in doubt, check the temperature with a quick read thermometer. The USDA recommends the internal temperature f cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If cooking the salmon for 7 minutes, your salmon will be flaky, tender, and moist and be about medium doneness. Cook longer if you prefer your salmon a bit firm.
- Depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets, the cooking time may vary. Decrease the cooking time for thinner fillets.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Originally published March 26, 2019. Updated with new photos and additional helpful tips.
Shelby Boogaards says
This is the second time I am making this salmon. My husband and I love it! Thanks!
Tanya says
Thank you Shelby, so glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Jessica says
This was so great! Will make again and again?!
Stephanny says
Hi, is it necessary to add Dijon mustard? My kid does not like mustard. What can I substitute with or can I omit? Thanks
John DeKam says
@Stephanny, I did not think it tasted like mustard. It was deliscious. Does you kid have to know that it contains mustard?
Alex says
I made this salmon tonight and my husband said “this he the best salmon I have ever had”... I have made salmon over 20 times. We are making this tomorrow night too!
Kristin says
This is mine and my husband’s absolute favorite salmon recipe now. We will definitely be making this often. Thanks for the great recipe!
Tanya says
I’m so glad you like it 🙂 thank you for the feedback, it’s one of my favorites as well.
VERNA says
I have not unpacked mine either,it's so heavy.Don't know what I will use it for. I look up recipes for the fryer,want to try it but don't know what to do first to get it ready.
Margaret says
Great recipe. Delicious salmon, perfectly done inside and juicy. Thanks for the tip to leave the skin on, it makes a huge difference in juiciness. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Deborah Brown says
This was the best ever,could taste all ingredients ,it was delicious. Thanks Much
Tanya says
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Malika says
This is the best salmon recipe ever. Works great in the air fryer. Thanks
Tanya says
Thank you for letting me know. So happy you enjoy it 🙂
Carol Maddox says
Love my air fryer. Raw potato fries, frozen fries , pork chops raw and frozen. Just try it. Can’t wait to try this salmon recipe.
Luci says
Ooh! those crispy corners in the first photo are mouthwatering! This looks like the perfect way to cook salmon!!
Cookilicious says
I have an air fryer but am yet to try recipes in it..still feeling skeptical..how is it?
Margie says
I use it more than I ever thought I would! Made this salmon recipe tonight, and it was really good. Cut recipe in half. I have found so many great recipes just by searching the main ingredient and air fryer on line. Even jiffy corn bread!
Kate Ransdell says
OMG --- you REALLY need to try it. It is SO easy to use and so far we have loved everything we have made in it ... except broccoli! For some reason, we weren't fond of that. But chicken thighs are TO DIE FOR!! And cauliflower -- YUM! Really, it is SO easy to use and SO easy to clean up!! I am OBSESSED!!
Taylor says
Love the flavors in the glaze! This salmon looks perfect!
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says
I don't have an air fryer but that salmon marinade sounds delicious!
Rosa says
I don’t have an air fryer yet but I think I’m going to need to get one asap! Great looking recipe!