This Quick & Easy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is a weeknight dinner game-changer! Tender, flaky salmon fillets are coated in a simple yet delicious honey garlic marinade and then air-fried to perfection. I love how this recipe is both healthy and incredibly flavorful, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes. It’s a perfect meal when you’re short on time but still craving something delicious and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Salmon
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flaky and Flavorful: The air fryer creates perfectly cooked salmon that’s flaky on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Delicious Honey Garlic Marinade: The combination of honey, soy sauce, and garlic creates a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor.
- Healthy: Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and air frying uses less oil than traditional frying.
- Versatile: Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious salmon. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Salmon and Marinade
- Salmon fillets (Fish)
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Honey (Sweetener)
- Soy sauce (Condiment)
- Garlic cloves, finely chopped (Aromatic)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Black pepper (Spice)
Serving
- Lemon
- Fresh Herbs
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
- Add Ginger: Add some grated fresh ginger to the marinade for a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Citrus Twist: Add some lemon or orange zest to the marinade.
- Use Different Herbs: Garnish the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley, dill, or chives.
- Teriyaki Sauce: Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Quick & Easy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon:
Make the Marinade
- In a bowl, I combine the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, chopped garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper. I whisk everything together until it’s well combined.
Marinate the Salmon (Optional)
- I brush the salmon fillets all over with the marinade.
- If I have time, I cover the salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. (This step is optional, but it does enhance the flavor!)
Preheat Air Fryer
- I preheat my air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (188°C).
Cook the Salmon
- When the air fryer is hot, I spray the air fryer basket with olive oil.
- I place the salmon slices in the basket, leaving some space between them.
- I cook the salmon fillets at 370 degrees Fahrenheit (188°C) for 5 minutes.
- Then, I brush the salmon with additional marinade and cook for another 3 minutes, or until cooked through and flaky. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size, thickness, and type of the salmon fillets, your air fryer, and your personal preference.
Serve
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Air Fryer Salmon
Here are my secrets for making this salmon truly exceptional:
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked salmon is dry. Cook it until it’s just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: For perfectly cooked salmon, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Pat the Salmon Dry: Before adding the marinade, pat the salmon dry with paper towels to help it crisp up in the air fryer.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook the salmon in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
How to Serve
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is delicious served with:
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice are all great options.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
- Salad: A simple green salad or a more elaborate salad with fruit and nuts would complement the salmon nicely.
- Quinoa: Serve it over quinoa for a healthy and flavorful meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the marinade ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover cooked salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer, microwave, or a skillet.
FAQs about Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Can I use skin-on salmon?
- Yes, you can use skin-on salmon. Cook it skin-side down first for crispy skin.
- Can I bake the salmon instead of air frying it?
- Yes, you can.
- What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
- You can use garlic powder instead.
Enjoy this Quick & Easy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon! It’s a flavorful, healthy, and convenient meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Print
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful dish. Salmon fillets are coated in a simple honey garlic marinade and cooked to flaky perfection in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6–8 ounces each), skin-on or skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for spraying
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley, dill, or chives), chopped, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- Marinate Salmon (Optional): Brush the salmon fillets generously on all sides with half of the marinade. If you have time, cover the salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. (This step is optional but recommended for best flavor.) Reserve the remaining marinade.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C).
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil (or use a non-stick cooking spray).
- Air Fry Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- Cook: Cook the salmon at 370°F (188°C) for 5 minutes.
- Baste and Continue Cooking: After 5 minutes, carefully open the air fryer and brush the salmon fillets with the reserved marinade. Continue cooking for another 3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C). Note: The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets and your air fryer model.
- Serve
Notes
- Salmon: You can use skin-on or skinless salmon fillets. If using skin-on, place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket.
- Marinade: Marinating the salmon helps to infuse it with flavor, but it’s not essential if you’re short on time. Be sure to reserve half the marinade, do not use the marinade the raw fish was in.
- Air Fryer: Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the salmon is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this honey garlic salmon with rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, or a salad. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh herbs, such as parsley, dill, or chives.