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    Air Fryer Salmon with Garlic Lemon Rub

    Mar 16, 2022 · 6 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    air fryer lemon garlic salmon collage.
    air fryer lemon garlic salmon collage.

    This quick and easy air fryer salmon recipe is incredibly delicious and packed with lemon, garlic and Italian herbs. You can rub the salmon fillets with the oil, lemon juice and spices or combine everything and let it marinate in the fridge overnight.

    Garlic lemon rubbed salmon cooks up perfectly in the air fryer, with slightly crispy edges and a tender and flaky middle. You can also cook this tasty fish in a skillet if you prefer.

    air fryer salmon with fork

    In case you have any leftovers, you can make a delicious salmon pasta salad the next day. We provided our favorite pasta salad recipes below in case you want to give this amazing lunch option a try.

    ❤️ WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS SALMON RECIPE

    ✔️ Cooking salmon in the air fryer is quick and easy!

    ✔️ Only 15 minutes from start to finish. Quick prep and quick cooking.

    ✔️ No splatter on the stove or washing pots and pans!

    ✔️ The seasoning is perfection.

    ✔️ 34 grams of protein for each serving.

    ✔️ Gluten free and dairy free.

    cooked lemon garlic salmon on a plate with fresh lemons and parsley, a wire spatula lifting one piece

    AIR FRYER SALMON WITH GARLIC LEMON RUB INGREDIENTS

    You may have all of these air fryer lemon salmon ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

    • Salmon fillets: You can use fresh salmon fillets or defrosted frozen ones. Make sure your fillets are not dried out or have any dark spots.
    • Oil: We use olive or avocado oil.
    • Garlic Powder
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Lemon Juice: For best flavor use fresh lemon juice.
    • Italian seasoning
    ingredients for air fryer lemon garlic salmon

    INSTRUCTIONS

    If you'd like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You'll also find nutrition information.

    SEASON SALMON: In a small bowl, add oil and lemon juice. Whisk until combined. Coat all sides of the salmon with the oil mixture.

    Mix garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a bowl. Rub the top of the salmon with the seasoning rub. Let sit for 10 minutes.

    Hand rubbing oil into salmon.
    Bowl of spices mixed together.

    COOK IN AIR FRYER: Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray. Place salmon filets in the air fryer basket with the skin side down.

    Cook at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Do not flip or rotate. Salmon is done when the internal temperature is 125ºF to 135ºF.

    🔴 TIP: Air fryers need space between the food items to circulate the hot air and cook food properly. Do not overcrowd your air fryer. 

    Salmon with spices rubbed in.
    Raw salmon in an air fryer basket.

    SERVE: Sprinkle salmon filets with chopped parsley and lemon slices and serve immediately.

    🔴 TIP: Level the teaspoon off when adding your baking powder. Do not add extra baking powder. 

    Cooked salmon in air fryer basket.
    air fryer salmon in air fryer basket.
    close up of air fryer lemon salmon

    TIPS FOR THE BEST AIR FRYER SALMON

    ✔️ Use the freshest salmon you can find. It can be previously frozen but it should be firm, not squishy and should have a nice pink color.

    ✔️ Rub the oil, lemon and seasonings into the salmon well with your hands. This allows the spices to really flavor the salmon and be less likely to fall off during cooking.

    ✔️ Do not overcook salmon. Salmon will continue cooking for about 5 minutes after you remove it from the air fryer so if it's a little undercooked when you finish that's better than being overcooked. Overcooked salmon is dry and much less enjoyable to eat.

    ✔️ If your air fryer has a wire rack or basket, you might want to cook your salmon on air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking.

    WAYS TO USE LEMON GARLIC SALMON LEFTOVERS

    If you were wondering what to do with lemon garlic salmon leftovers, we have a great suggestion: add it to your favorite pasta salad. Here are two of our most loved pasta salads that work perfect with salmon:

    • SALMON PASTA SALAD – This fresh and healthy cold pasta salad uses a homemade lemon dill vinaigrette and tastes insanely good.
    • PESTO PASTA SALAD – Packed with fresh summer flavors, this pasta salad makes the perfect light lunch. Just add cold, cut up salmon pieces and enjoy.

    STORAGE TIPS

    Storing your food properly is important to prevent spoiling or food poisoning.

    Refrigerate: Let the air fryer salmon cool completely. Then store in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Freeze: Lemon garlic salmon is best eaten fresh. However, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight and freezer safe container or ziploc freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

    fork in a piece of lemon garlic salmon
    air fryer salmon.
    Lemon Garlic Salmon on a plate with fresh lemons

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH SALMON

    Enjoy this great recipe as a great addition to a full meal with these other recipes:

    • Creamy Mashed Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • Easy Italian Salad Recipe With Homemade Salad Dressing
    • Air Fryer Green Beans

    MORE SEAFOOD RECIPES

    While we love garlic lemon rubbed salmon we also love some of these other recipes and think you will as well.

    • Baked Salmon With Lemon And Dill
    • Air Fryer Tilapia
    • Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
    • Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Can I marinate the salmon overnight?

    Yes, you can mix the oil, lemon and spices and make a marinade, if you prefer. Coat your salmon in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

    Do I have to turn the salmon in the air fryer?

    No. For the best air fryer salmon, put the salmon fillets into the air fryer basket skin side down, and do not flip or rotate them once in the air fryer.

    Is this dish both, dairy free and gluten free?

    Yes, there are no ingredients in the original recipe that contain dairy or gluten.

    Can I cook lemon garlic rubbed salmon in a skillet?

    Yes, heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
    Place salmon in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the internal temperature is 135ºF. Remove from heat. The cook time varies depending on the thickness of the salmon, the temperature of the pan and the internal temperature of the salmon. 

    air fryer lemon garlic salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Rub

    This immensely flavorful salmon is marinated with lemon, garlic and Italian herbs and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Resting time: 10 minutes
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: air fryer lemon salmon, air fryer salmon, garlic lemon rubbed salmon, salmon with garlic lemon rub
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 266kcal
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    Tried this recipe?Mention @FamilyDinnersOfficial or tag #familydinnersofficial!

    Equipment

    mixing bowls
    whisk
    Air Fryer
    knife and cutting board

    Ingredients
     

    Salmon ingredients:

    • 6 salmon fillets - about 6 oz each
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil - or avocado oil
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1½ teaspoon coarse salt
    • 1 teaspoon fresh pepper
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 2 tsp Italian seasoning - or Italian herbs

    Garnish:

    • sliced lemons
    • freshly chopped parsley

    Instructions
     

    • whisked lemon oil.
      In a small bowl, add oil and lemon juice. Whisk until combined.
    • Hand rubbing oil into salmon.
      Coat all sides of the salmon with the oil mixture.
    • Hand holding bowl of spices over salmon.
      Mix garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a bowl.
    • Salmon with spices rubbed in.
      Rub top of the salmon with the seasoning rub. Let sit for 10 minutes.
    • Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray.
    • Raw salmon in an air fryer basket.
      Place salmon fillets in the air fryer basket with the skin side down.
    • cooked lemon salmon in the air fryer
      Cook at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Do not flip or rotate. Salmon is done when the internal temperature is 125ºF to 135ºF.
    • cooked lemon salmon on a plate
      Serve with lemon and fresh parsley.

    Notes

    AIR FRYER NOTES:
    Some air fryers have a pre-heat option. Preheating may reduce the cooking time a little bit. 
     
    Air fryers need space between the food items to circulate the hot air and cook food properly. Do not overcrowd your air fryer. 
     
    RECIPE NOTES:
    You can mix the oil, lemon and spices and make a marinade, if you prefer. Coat your salmon in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. 
     
    Overcooking salmon will cause it to emit albumin, the white stuff that oozes out of salmon when it is overcooked. It is safe to eat but most people do not enjoy eating overcooked salmon as much. 
     
    SKILLET INSTRUCTIONS:
    Heat skillet to medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
    Place salmon in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the internal temperature is 135ºF. Remove from heat. The cook time varies depending on the thickness of the salmon, the temperature of the pan and the internal temperature of the salmon. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 851mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dannii says

      May 26, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      The air fryer is the best way to cook salmon. It is perfectly cooked every time.

      Reply
    2. Suja MD says

      May 26, 2022 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      I just love this and its was a big hit with everyone. And this was such a pleasing experience!

      Reply
    3. Dana says

      May 26, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      The most perfectly tender and flaky salmon! Absolutely love all of that garlicky lemony goodness, too 🙂

      Reply
    4. Ieva says

      May 26, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      Salmon turned out absolutely perfect! The texture and the flavour! Will definitely make this recipe again.

      Reply
    5. Glenda says

      May 26, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious salmon and honestly it was beautiful on the plate! I got so many complements. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Andrea + Stef says

        May 27, 2022 at 4:33 pm

        I'm so glad you loved it!

        Reply

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