Crispy Air Fryer Salmon (Print)
Quickly prepare crisp salmon and tender asparagus with vibrant lemon and dill flavors.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 2 salmon fillets, skin-on, pin bones removed (approximately 5.3 oz each)
→ Vegetables
02 - 8.8 oz asparagus spears, trimmed
→ Marinade & Seasoning
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp dried dill or 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
11 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and dill in a small bowl; whisk until evenly blended.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with marinade, reserving 1 tablespoon for asparagus.
03 - Toss trimmed asparagus spears with the reserved marinade until well coated.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Arrange asparagus spears around the salmon.
06 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 125–130°F and asparagus is tender with lightly crisp edges.
07 - Plate immediately and garnish with lemon wedges and optional fresh herbs.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Crispy salmon skin that actually stays crispy—no soggy disappointments.
- The whole thing comes together in under 25 minutes, which means you can eat like you planned ahead even when you didn't.
- Your kitchen won't smell like fish for three days because the air fryer contains it all.
02 -
- Salmon continues cooking after you take it out, so pull it when it still looks slightly underdone in the very center—it'll carry over to perfect.
- If your salmon skin sticks to the basket, you didn't preheat long enough or your basket needed a light oil spray first; learn from my mistakes so you don't have to live them.
03 -
- For maximum skin crispiness, lightly mist the salmon skin with oil spray just before air frying—it's a small gesture that makes a noticeable difference.
- Room-temperature salmon cooks more evenly than cold salmon straight from the fridge, so take it out 5 minutes before cooking if you have the patience.