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Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter

A close-up of a perfectly cooked piece of air fryer salmon, seasoned and topped with fresh parsley, resting in butter sauce.
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Achieve perfectly crispy skin and flaky, juicy interior with this easy air fryer salmon recipe. Ready in under 15 minutes, this lemon garlic butter preparation is ideal for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. If using skin-on, place them skin-side down first.
  5. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the exterior is golden brown.
  6. While the salmon cooks, prepare the lemon garlic butter: In a small dish, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Stir well.
  7. Once the salmon is cooked, immediately brush the lemon garlic butter mixture over the tops of the fillets.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For the best crispy results, ensure your air fryer basket is not overcrowded; cook in batches if necessary.
  • If your fillets are very thick (over 1.5 inches), you may need to reduce the temperature slightly to 380°F (195°C) and cook for 13-15 minutes.
  • This salmon pairs well with simple sides like roasted asparagus or quinoa for a complete low-carb air fryer dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/air-fryer-salmon-recipe-crispy-juicy/