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.
![salmon in air fryer basket](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/marinated-air-fryer-salmon-0170.jpg)
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.
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 flakey 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!
How to make Marinated Salmon in your Air Fryer
Gather your ingredients. You’ll need 4 salmon fillets and the marinade ingredients.
![ingredients for salmon recipe](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/marinated-air-fryer-salmon-0152.jpg)
Place soy sauce, dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Pour marinade over salmon. Use a Gallon 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 fish in the refrigerator and marinate for 20-30 minutes.
![salmon in marinade](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/air-fryer-salmon-9.jpg)
Remove fish from the refrigerator. Prepare the Air Fryer basket by spraying the basket with oil. You can also use an air fryer parchment paper liner.
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.
![raw salmon in air fryer basket](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/air-fryer-salmon-3.jpg)
Once done, remove and serve with your favorite sides.
![This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe creates a perfectly cooked with filet with simple marinade ingredients. An easy and delicious recipe for any weeknight. #airfryersalmon #airfryerfish #airfryerrecipe #salmon cooked air fryer salmon in air fryer basket](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/air-fryer-salmon-4.jpg)
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 flesh.
![This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe creates a perfectly cooked with filet with simple marinade ingredients. An easy and delicious recipe for any weeknight. #airfryersalmon #airfryerfish #airfryerrecipe #salmon close up photo of salmon in air fryer basket](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/marinated-air-fryer-salmon-0167.jpg)
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 400F 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 withhold longer cook times in the air fryer. If cooking wild salmon with less fat, like sockeye salmon, lower the cooking time and degrees to ensure the salmon does not overcook and dry out.
What do you serve it with?
This marinated air fryer salmon makes for one tasty and easy weeknight meal. Serve it up with salad, veggie, or potato side dishes for a full dinner. Try it with Kale Rice or these Air Fried Baked Sweet Potatoes, or try it with some of these other favorites:
- Creamy Dill Potato Salad
- Quinoa Avocado Salad
- Buttery Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
- Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato
Feel free to mix this up a bit and season the salmon with my fish seasoning.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- 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 flakey, 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
- Air Fried Coconut Shrimp with Thai Chili Dipping Sauce
- Perfect Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Lobster Tails
![This Marinated Air Fryer Salmon recipe creates a perfectly cooked with filet with simple marinade ingredients. An easy and delicious recipe for any weeknight. #airfryersalmon #airfryerfish #airfryerrecipe #salmon pin image of cooked air fryer salmon](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MARINATED-AIR-FRYER-SALMON-PIN-IMAGE.jpg)
Marinated Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets or 1 1lb fillet cut into 4 pieces
- 6 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 Green onions finely chopped, optional
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 20-30 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 🙂
Suggested Tools
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 flakey, 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.
Nutrition
Originally published March 26, 2019. Updated with new photos and additional helpful tips.
Janie
Thursday 8th of August 2024
Okay I don’t have an air fryer so what method do I use to instead?
Tanya
Friday 9th of August 2024
Hi Janie, you could bake it. I bake salmon in the oven on 425F for about 12-15 minutes.
Marcene Austin
Monday 1st of July 2024
Is there a substitute for brown sugar (e.g., honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar)? Thanks...
Tanya
Monday 1st of July 2024
Hi Marcene, honey is a great substitute for the brown sugar in this recipe.
Ron
Sunday 2nd of June 2024
my air fryer doesn't have a basket it has three shelves can I still use it for this salmon recipe
Tanya
Sunday 2nd of June 2024
Hi Ron, yes, you can still use this recipe in your brand of air fryer.
Paul Monteiro
Monday 1st of April 2024
Love salmon will make
Michael Presnar
Tuesday 5th of March 2024
I made this exactly as the recipe instructed. My wife loved it! Her mother is a salmon fan, so she sent her the recipe. So nice to cook a dinner for the family and have them say it’s a keeper!
Tanya
Wednesday 6th of March 2024
That's so awesome Michael! Thanks so much for letting me know. So happy to hear you all liked the recipe.