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Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

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Make tender, flavorful air fryer salmon with a caramelized brown sugar rub in just 10 minutes. Perfect for a quick, delicious meal!

  • Total Time: 14 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (58 oz. each)
  • BROWN SUGAR RUB
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • Pinch of pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep the rub: Grab a small mixing bowl and combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Stir it well so the flavors are evenly distributed.
    Pro tip: Don’t skip the pinch of pepper—it really ties the rub together!
  2. Season the fillets: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This ensures the rub sticks better and creates that perfect crust. Generously coat both sides of each fillet with the rub, pressing it into the fish gently with your fingers.
  3. Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat option, just run it empty for 3-5 minutes before adding the salmon.
  4. Cook the salmon: Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for even airflow. Air fry for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops are caramelized, and the flesh flakes easily with a fork.
    Tip: If your fillets are thinner (around 5 oz.), start checking them at the 7-minute mark.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. The caramelized top will glisten, and the aroma will have you ready to dig in immediately!

Notes

Scaling this recipe is a breeze. If cooking for one, just use a single fillet and halve the rub ingredients. For a crowd, make as many fillets as your air fryer can fit in a single layer, repeating the cooking process if needed. Keep in mind that larger batches might require slightly more cooking time since the air fryer will cool a little between batches.

  • Author: Soraya
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9 minutes
  • Category: Dinner