Air fryers have become incredibly popular in recent years as a convenient way to make healthier fried foods. When cooking salmon in an air fryer, it can be tricky to avoid ending up with dry, overcooked fish. The key is controlling the temperature and cook time to perfectly crisp the outside while keeping the inside tender and moist. With a few simple tips, you can enjoy delicious air fried salmon every time.
Use Fresh, High-Quality Salmon
It all starts with buying high-quality, fresh salmon fillets. Farmed Atlantic salmon tends to be more affordable and widely available. Look for fillets with firm, glistening flesh and clear eyes. Avoid any with dry, dull skin or gaping cuts in the flesh. Fresh wild-caught salmon like sockeye and coho can also work wonderfully, offering great flavor and texture. Thicker, center-cut fillets about 1 1⁄2 inches thick tend to stay moistest during cooking. Thinner tail end pieces will likely overcook and dry out faster. Pat the salmon fillets dry before cooking to help promote browning.
Brush with Oil
Coating the salmon with a light layer of oil is key for keeping it moist while air frying. The oil helps conduct heat gently to the fish and creates a bit of a protective barrier against drying. Opt for heart-healthy oils with high smoke points to avoid burning, such as avocado, grapeseed, olive or refined coconut oil. Simply brush a thin layer evenly over the top and underside of fillets. Amounts will vary based on fillet size, but aim for about 1 tsp oil per 4 oz salmon. Avoid drenching in oil, just use enough to lightly coat the surface. The salmon may release some water as it cooks, so excess oil can cause splattering.
Season Well
Seasonings not only add great flavor but also allow you to use less oil. Salt helps draw moisture into the salmon meat rather than drying out. Cracked black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, lemon pepper, herbs like dill or thyme, or spice blends work beautifully. Pat seasonings onto both sides of oiled fillets so they stick and evenly coat. Allowing the seasoned salmon to sit for 10-15 minutes before cooking allows the flavors to better penetrate.
Use Lower Air Fryer Temperatures
The biggest key to avoiding dry salmon is not cranking up the air fryer temperature. Lower temperatures around 300-375°F are ideal for gently cooking salmon without over-drying. At higher temps above 400°F, the intense dry heat from all sides can quickly cause moisture loss before the center finishes cooking. The closer to 300°F, the more gently it will cook. Monitor thickness and adjust time accordingly.
Air Fryer Salmon Cook Times
| Salmon Thickness | Cook Time at 300°F | Cook Time at 375°F |
| 1/2 inch | 6-8 minutes | 4-6 minutes |
| 3/4 inch | 8-10 minutes | 6-8 minutes |
| 1 inch | 10-12 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inches | 12-15 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
Use a Wire Rack
Cooking salmon directly on the air fryer basket can lead to sticking and overcooking on the underside. Using a wire rack elevates the salmon so air circulates completely around. A basic oven-safe cooling rack works perfectly. Just place the rack inside the air fryer basket and arrange salmon fillets in a single layer without crowding. The rack also allows any juices to drip down rather than pooling around the fish.
Flip Salmon Halfway
Flipping the salmon fillets about halfway through cooking prevents either side from overcooking and drying out. Carefully remove the basket, being cautious of any hot steam, flip fillets with a spatula, and return to the air fryer to finish cooking. This helps ensure even doneness throughout. Check for flaking flesh and opaque color throughout when determining doneness. Juices should run clear rather than pink when the thickest part of a fillet is pierced with a fork.
Let Salmon Rest Before Serving
As with oven or skillet cooked salmon, an important resting period after air frying helps ensure juicy results. The flesh will continue gently cooking from residual heat as it rests. Allow thicker fillets to rest about 5 minutes after removing from the air fryer before digging in. This allows moisture to redistribute evenly through the salmon. Tenting foil over the top will keep it warm while waiting those few minutes.
Pair With Moist Toppings
Serving the air fried salmon with fresh, moist toppings prevents a dried out texture. Top salmon fillets with salsas, relishes, chopped herbs, lemon wedges, compound butters, tzatziki or creamy sauces. You can also serve alongside veggies sautéed in olive oil. The additional moisture from toppings helps balance the salmon’s texture.
Check Internal Temperature
Using an instant read thermometer provides the most precise doneness guide and prevents overcooking. Cook until the thickest portion of the salmon fillet reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium rare or 130°F for medium doneness. The flesh should appear opaque and flake apart when poked with a fork yet still remain quite moist inside.
Cook at Lower Power If Needed
If salmon appears to be browning or crisping too quickly before reaching your desired doneness, you can try turning down the power level on your air fryer. Many models have adjustable power settings, allowing you to dial down the intensity of the heat. Lower power around 50-70% may work better for delicate foods like salmon fillets or fish cakes.
Preheat Air Fryer Properly
Be sure your air fryer has had plenty of time to fully preheat before adding the salmon. Adding food too early can drastically bring down the temperature inside the air fryer and lead to improper cooking. Wait until your model indicates it has reached the set temperature before placing salmon in the basket.
Don’t Overcrowd
Just like oven baking, overcrowding salmon fillets in the air fryer basket can cause moisture issues. Even heat exposure is key. Leave at least 1⁄2 inch between fillets for air circulation. Cook in smaller batches rather than trying to load up the air fryer. Overcrowding creates steam which leads to soggy results.
Add Aromatics
Placing fragrant citrus, herbs or spices in the air fryer basket with the salmon can further boost moisture as well as infuse aromas. Try adding lemon, lime or orange slices or sprigs of fresh dill or parsley. Whole garlic cloves, peppercorns, fennel seed or citrus zest also work well. Just place these aromatics around the salmon, not directly on top.
Spritz Salmon While Cooking
Misting salmon fillets with a bit of oil or water partway through cooking can provide an added moisture boost. Carefully remove the air fryer basket and give fillets a light spritz or two of cooking oil spray, avocado oil, olive oil or even plain water. Replace in the air fryer to complete cooking. The spritz will create steam for extra juiciness.
Wrap in Foil or Parchment
For an extra layer of protection against drying, wrap salmon tightly in foil or parchment before air frying. The sealed pouch will lock in steam and moisture. Be sure the wrapping is sealed well so no air or steam escapes. Open carefully after cooking as the steam will be very hot. The foil or paper can then be removed before serving.
Add Moisture to the Air Fryer
Placing a small oven-safe ramekin filled with water in the air fryer along with the salmon can add back helpful moisture to the cooking environment. Just take care not to splash any water directly on the food. About 1/2 to 1 cup of water in the ramekin will create steam to help keep the salmon moist.
Use Marinades and Brines
Letting salmon soak in a flavorful marinade or salty brine before air frying infuses it with extra moisture. Try marinating for 30 minutes to 1 hour in mixtures of olive oil, citrus juice, herbs, garlic and spices. For brining, soak in a salt water solution for 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Rinse and pat the salmon dry first if brining. The marinade or brine will season while ensuring more moist results.
Cook at Lower Altitudes
Higher altitudes where air pressure is lower can quickly dry out air fried foods. Try setting your air fryer to about 15°F lower than the recipe states if at elevations above 3000 feet. Water boils at lower temperatures at high altitude, so salmon will cook faster and dry out quicker. Adjusting the temperature compensate for this effect.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Using an instant read digital meat thermometer helps prevent overcooking. It provides the best doneness guide for thicker cuts of salmon. Simply insert the probe into the thickest part of the fillet after air frying. It should read between 125°F for medium rare and 140°F for well done salmon. Relying on cook times alone makes it easier to dry out.
Conclusion
Mastering perfectly moist, tender salmon in the air fryer just takes a bit of technique. Choosing the right thickness of fresh fillets, oiling, seasoning, cooking at lower temperatures, and resting before serving are key to succulent results. With the right timing and a few moisture-boosting tricks, you can enjoy healthier fried salmon without the hassle of deep frying or the dryness of oven baking. In no time, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality salmon straight from your air fryer any night of the week.