Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon is a quick and delicious way to enjoy perfectly cooked fish with minimal effort. I coat salmon fillets in a rich garlic butter sauce and let the air fryer do the work—resulting in tender, flaky salmon with a slightly crisp edge that’s full of bold, buttery flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how fast and foolproof this recipe is. The garlic butter infuses the salmon with deep flavor, and the air fryer cooks it evenly every time without needing to flip or fuss. It’s great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or when I want something healthy and satisfying with hardly any cleanup.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Salmon fillets (skin on or off)

• Butter, melted

• Garlic, minced

• Lemon juice

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt

• Black pepper

• Paprika (optional, for color)

• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

1. I preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3–5 minutes.

2. While it heats, I mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl.

3. I pat the salmon fillets dry and brush or spoon the garlic butter generously over the top.

4. I place the fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on.

5. I cook the salmon for 8–10 minutes, depending on thickness, until it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temp reaches 145°F (63°C).

6. I serve it hot with extra parsley and fresh lemon wedges on the side.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 2–4 people and takes about 15 minutes total, including prep and cooking time.

Variations

• I add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for heat.

• For a herby twist, I mix in fresh dill or chives instead of parsley.

• I sometimes top it with a light drizzle of honey for a sweet-savory flavor.

• Cajun seasoning makes it bold and spicy.

• I serve it over cauliflower rice or a salad for a light, low-carb meal.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use the air fryer again at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or gently warm it in a skillet. I avoid microwaving if possible to preserve the texture. Leftover salmon also tastes great cold in salads or wraps.

FAQs

Can I cook frozen salmon in the air fryer?

Yes, but I add a few extra minutes to the cook time. I like to thaw it first for better seasoning coverage and even cooking.

How do I know when the salmon is done?

I check that it flakes easily with a fork and use a meat thermometer to make sure it hits 145°F internally.

Do I need to flip the salmon in the air fryer?

No, I keep it skin-side down or flat in the basket and let the air fryer cook it evenly from the top.

What if my salmon fillets are different sizes?

I check each fillet individually and remove the thinner ones earlier to avoid overcooking.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Yes, I use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if I’m out of fresh garlic. It still adds great flavor.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon is one of my go-to recipes when I want something quick, flavorful, and wholesome. It’s buttery, garlicky, and cooked to perfection in just minutes—making it ideal for busy nights or healthy eating without sacrificing flavor. Once I tried it, it quickly became a staple in my weekly rotation.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2–4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

This Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon is a quick, healthy dinner packed with bold garlic flavor and buttery richness. Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy salmon recipe delivers tender, flaky fillets with a crisp edge—perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

---

Ingredients

• 2–4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika (optional, for color)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Spoon or brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the top of each fillet.

4. Place salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on.

5. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

6. Serve hot with extra parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

---

Notes

• Add red pepper flakes for heat or drizzle with honey for a sweet-savory flavor.
• Swap parsley for dill or chives for a herby variation.
• Cajun seasoning makes this dish bold and spicy.
• Serve over cauliflower rice, steamed veggies, or salad for a low-carb meal.
• Use garlic powder if fresh garlic isn’t available (½ tsp per 2 fillets).