Ridiculously Good Parmesan-Garlic Air Fryer Salmon (Ready in 15 Minutes)
This air fryer salmon comes together in minutes and is packed with garlicky flavor.
When I’m looking for a quick dinner that satisfies the whole family, salmon is my go-to. It’s full of nutrients (think of all the omega-3 fatty acids), is easy to pick up at most grocery stores, and can be dressed up with whatever I have on hand. And my favorite way to cook salmon, you ask? The air fryer, of course. It’s lightning-fast, easy to manage, and makes clean-up minimal.
This recipe for air fryer salmon features a savory, crunchy topping made with melty Parmesan cheese, crisp breadcrumbs, and plenty of garlic. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that’s on the table in 15 minutes, tops.
Why This Air Fryer Salmon Works Every Time
There are a few reasons I prefer to make air fryer salmon over using an oven or cooking it on the stove. The air fryer beats pan-searing because any oil splatters and messes are contained within the basket or on your baking sheet (read: no need to clean the range after dinner). Plus, an air fryer preheats in mere minutes, while a traditional oven can take up to 20 minutes to heat, and it loses much of that heat when you open the door to put the fish inside.
I also prefer how an air fryer cooks the salmon. The powerful fan at the top or back of the machine circulates air quickly for even cooking, which is important with delicate proteins like seafood that can quickly overcook and dry out. I tested this recipe in the Our Place Wonder Oven Pro, which is one of our best-tested non-toxic air fryers — but honestly, I’m confident this recipe will produce ridiculously good air fryer salmon with any model.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Salmon
Here’s what you need for easy parmesan-crusted air fryer salmon:
- Salmon fillets. Choose wild-caught salmon over farmed, and don’t hesitate to ask the important questions at the fish counter, including when it was caught and where.
- Parmesan cheese. You can buy pre-grated or grate your own, but you’ll want fine, snow-like pieces for this recipe.
- Breadcrumbs. Panko works best for maximum crispiness.
- Garlic. Finely grate fresh garlic cloves on a microplane for the best texture.
- Chives. These add a wonderful allium flavor and a pop of green.
- Olive oil. A drizzle of oil helps hold the cheesy topping in place and encourages a nice crispy top.
- Lemon. Add a squeeze of lemon to brighten up the final dish.
See the full amounts of each ingredient in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
- Fish: This recipe isn’t limited to just air fryer salmon — you can swap the salmon fillets with 4- to 6-ounce steelhead trout or arctic char fillets without changing the cooking time or temperature. Thinner, less fatty whitefish will cook faster, so if you make that swap, check for doneness a couple of minutes early.
- Cheese: Choose another salty, hard cheese like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
- Fat: I prefer the flavor of extra-virgin olive oil, but avocado oil will also work.
- Herbs: Instead of chives, you can use thinly sliced scallions or another fresh herb like parsley, garlic chives, or tarragon. Dried chives will also work.
- Gluten-free: You can swap the panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs without changes to the recipe.
- Dairy-free: Use your favorite dairy-free cheese instead of Parm.
- Skinless fillets: If you want to make this air fryer salmon with no skin, reduce the cook time by one minute.
How to Make Salmon in the Air Fryer
- Start by heating your air fryer to 400°F and gently patting the salmon dry on both sides with paper towels.
- Next, make the topping by stirring together finely grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, grated garlic, minced chives, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add olive oil and stir until the texture resembles wet sand.
- If you’re cooking with an oven-style air fryer, such as the Our Place Wonder Oven (read our full review here), arrange the fillets on the nonstick baking sheet. If you have a basket-style air fryer, place them in the basket. If all four fillets don’t fit comfortably in the basket with at least an inch of space on all sides, cook the salmon in two batches.
- Divide the parmesan topping evenly between the salmon fillets and gently press down to adhere the cheese mixture to the fish.
- Air fry the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium and flakes easily with a fork.
Air Fryer Salmon Temperature and Cook Time
Cook salmon in the air fryer at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a fillet, and follow the guidelines below to find the ideal temperature for your cook. Just remember that fish will continue to rise by about five degrees after you remove it from the air fryer, so adjust for that in your ideal internal temperature.
| Doneness | Internal temperature of salmon |
| Rare | 110-120°F |
| Medium-rare | 120-125°F |
| Medium | 125-135°F |
| Well done | 140-145°F |
According to FoodSafety.gov, fish is considered safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F1, but some (including myself) consider this pretty overdone.
Tips for Perfectly Flaky Salmon (That’s Not Dry)
- Choose fillets that are as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Cook the fish skin side down; the skin provides a barrier between the hot cooking surface and the delicate salmon.
- Leave at least an inch of space between fillets to allow for airflow.
- Remove the fish before it reaches your target temperature; it will rise by another 5–10 degrees once out of the air fryer.
- Don’t be shy with the toppings; the fat in the cheese and olive oil in this recipe help keep the salmon moist and flaky.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Salmon
This recipe makes a great jumping-off point for a well-rounded meal. Serve grain bowls with brown rice or quinoa and a roasted veggie like broccoli or cauliflower. Top crunchy romaine lettuce with parmesan salmon for a riff on a Caesar, or pair it with easy sides like corn on the cob with compound butter or grilled eggplant.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Salmon
Cooked air fryer salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. Enjoy it cold or reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for three to four minutes. Note that overcooking can happen quickly if reheating, so check early and often. Other than that, enjoy! Leftover salmon is versatile and would make a great filling for fish tacos with crunchy slaw.
Is Air Fryer Salmon Healthy?
Yes, it’s generally a very healthy option to cook salmon in the air fryer. For one, air fryer salmon uses minimal added oil compared to pan-fried salmon. But more importantly, salmon’s nutrient profile fits right into a healthy anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating 2 servings of fish (particularly fatty fish) per week, and lists salmon among fish high in omega-3s2. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements also lists salmon among fish “higher in EPA and DHA and lower in mercury,” and associates omega-3 intake with heart health and possible lower risk of cognitive decline and age-related macular degeneration3.
Air Fryer Salmon FAQs
4- to 6-ounce salmon fillets take 8 to 10 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F.
No, the fan in the air fryer cooks your fish evenly from all sides; flipping is not necessary.
Cook salmon skin side down. The skin provides an insulating barrier between the fish and the hot cooking surface that helps keep your fish moist and prevent overcooking.
For the best texture when you plan to cook salmon in the air fryer, defrost your fish overnight in the fridge beforehand.
The white substance on cooked salmon is called albumin. It’s a protein that solidifies as it’s cooked. Too much visible white albumin can be a sign that your fish is overcooked and might taste dry.
Yes, you can use this recipe for roasted salmon in a conventional oven — it will just take longer to preheat and the fish might need an extra minute or so to cook through vs. salmon in the air fryer.
More Easy Recipes to Try
If you love this air fryer salmon recipe, try these easy meals next:
Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
STEP 1:
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon dry on all sides.
STEP 2:
In a medium bowl, stir together the cheese, breadcrumbs, chives, garlic, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Add the olive oil and stir to combine.
STEP 3:
If using an oven-style air fryer, place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet. For a basket-style air fryer, place the fillets in the basket, working in two batches if necessary to prevent crowding.
STEP 4:
Top each salmon fillet with parmesan mixture.
STEP 5:
Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium.
STEP 6:
Serve with lemon wedges.
Sources:
- https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-internal-temperatures
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
