Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Salmon

Name: Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Salmon
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: ½ pound salmon (thawed); 1-1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning; ½ teaspoon lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika (optional); salt to taste; ½ tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon fresh parsley minced (garnish (optional))

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Air Fryer Salmon is moist, tender, flaky fish with savory lemon pepper seasoning. This air fried salmon is delicious and cooks in 12 to 15 minutes.

Cooking salmon in air fryer is easy with minimal clean up. Uses less oil and no oil splatters to clean either.

Salmon is a mild flavored oily fish, tender and delicate that can easily pick up the flavor of herbs and seasonings.

This easy salmon recipe is simple and it is delicious with wild-caught or farm raised, skin or skinless.

Looking for other salmon recipe that can be air fried at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes, try Cilantro Lime Salmon and Lemon Dill Salmon. These are healthy and delicious fish recipes, as well.

Air fried lemon pepper salmon with a side of white rice, 2 lemon wedges and some fresh parsley leaves.

Is it healthy to eat salmon

Yes, salmon is one of the most nutritious fish that is high in protein and rich in omega 3 fatty acid while low in calories and fat. Aside from that, it is a good source of some vitamins and minerals.

While some fish contain high amounts of mercury, salmon does not. Consuming it in moderation is safe.

Ingredients substitute

If lemon pepper seasoning is not available in your area, you can use the following ingredients.

Lemon – 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. You can add more if you prepare it lemony.
Fresh Ground Black Pepper – ½ to 1 teaspoon depending on your taste.
Garlic Powder – ¼ to ½ teaspoon depending on your taste.
Onion Powder – ¼ teaspoon.

Ingredients to make lemon pepper salmon recipe.

Tips for a perfect tasting salmon fillet

Thaw salmon fillet in the refrigerator overnight. Cook as soon as it is thawed for fresh tasting fish. Don’t let it sit uncooked for a long time in the refrigerator.
Pat dry fish with paper towel if washing.
Brush both sides lightly with oil and be sure to turn salmon halfway through cooking.
Do not overcrowd salmon in air fryer basket. Air should circulate to cook your food evenly. Cook in batches, if needed.
Salmon is tender and delicate and it can get rubbery when overcooked.
Use a meat thermometer or instant read thermometer to be sure it is perfectly cooked. Temperature should reach 145 degrees F at thickest part of fish.
It is best to consume fish within 2 days.

Raw seasoned salmon fillet with 2 lemon wedges on foil in air fryer basket.

How long to cook salmon in air fryer

If your air fryer is small like mine (7 quarts) 2 fillets 6 ounces each and 1 inch thick takes 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees F. You can add more fillets if your air fryer is bigger.

Note: If you have it in a foil, you might need to add another minute to cook depending on your preference.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Reheat leftover in the microwave for 30 seconds and 15 seconds increments until warmed through or air fry at 300 degrees F for 2 minutes or more, depending on the size. Salmon will get tough and rubbery if reheated for a long time.

Lemon pepper salmon flaked with a fork and a side of white rice.

FAQ

How do I know if salmon is done?

Salmon fish is done cooking when the flesh flakes when pressed with a fork and fish fat (white lines) runs across the fillet. If not sure, it is best to use a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the fish with temperature reaching 145 degrees F.

Why do salmon fish get tough and rubbery?

Overcooking salmon will make it tough and rubbery.

Part of cooked salmon flesh is removed to show the inside and a side of white rice, 2 lemons wedges and some fresh parsley leaves.

Try other easy salmon recipe