Air Fryer Salmon with a Garlic-Lemon Butter Sauce

My simple air fryer salmon recipe features flaky, soft fillets of salmon coated in a garlic-lemon butter sauce. Topped with fresh parsley, every mouthful is rich, moist, and buttery soft. Serve it with air-fryer baked potatoes or potato wedges and roasted veggies for a flavorful fish dinner.

Air fryer salmon

Ingredients

To make this recipe, you’ll first need the following:

Ingredients for the air fryer salmon
  • Salmon Fillets – 4 salmon fillets (about 4.5oz each)
  • Paprika – 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt – 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • Pepper – 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Olive Oil – 1 tbsp olive oil

Garlic-Lemon Butter with Parsley

  • Butter – 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Garlic – 1 garlic clove
  • Salt – a pinch of kosher salt
  • Pepper – a pinch of black pepper
  • Parsley – a handful of fresh parsley (about 1 tbsp finely chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Mix the olive oil with paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 2 – Brush the mixture on the salmon fillets.

Step 3 – Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions (or for about 3 minutes if unsure).

Step 4 – Air fry the salmon at 390°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes until cooked to your preference. Flip halfway through. The salmon is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Air frying the salmon fillets

Step 5 – Melt the butter and add minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, fresh parsley (minced).

Garlic butter sauce.

Step 6 – Brush the butter mixture over the cooked salmon fillets.

Air fryer salmon with garlic-lemon butter sauce.

What to Serve with this Salmon Recipe

I put my air fryer to good use, by serving the salmon with air-fryer baked potato, crispy lemon-dressed broccoli, air-fryer peppers, and carrot fries.

Air fryer salmon with garlic-lemon butter sauce with various sides (broccoli, peppers, carrot fries, baked potato).

You could also place your salmon on a bed of couscous.

While you’re here, if you’re looking for other salmon ideas, take a look at my blackened salmon recipe, my honey soy sauce salmon recipe, and my smoked salmon crostini recipe.

Recipe Card

Air Fryer Salmon with a Garlic-Lemon Butter Sauce

Air Fryer Salmon with a Garlic-Lemon Butter Sauce

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Air-Fryer Salmon Fillets

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 4.5oz each)
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Garlic-Lemon Butter Sauce with Parsley

  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • a pinch of kosher salt
  • a pinch of black pepper
  • a handful of fresh parsley (about 1 tbsp finely chopped)

Instructions

  1. Mix the olive oil with paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Brush the mixture on the salmon fillets.
  3. Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions (or for about 3 minutes if unsure).
  4. Air fry the salmon at 390°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes until cooked to your preference. Flip halfway through. The salmon is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  5. Melt the butter and add minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and finely chopped fresh parsley.
  6. Brush the butter mixture over the cooked salmon fillets.

I think salmon is one of the tastiest fishes you can eat. It can definitely be a little overwhelming mind you if you don’t cook with it much, or don’t know what to pair it with.

Using the air fryer is a great way to prepare salmon. It’s quick, simple, and that dressing really compliments the rich, silky salmon flavor.

Did you make this and enjoy it? Please leave a review below. Oh, and let me know what tasty sides you paired it with.

You Might Also Like to Try

Don’t forget to save this recipe to one of your dinner idea or seafood idea boards. Next time you bring home some fresh salmon fillets, you’ll know where to find this recipe.

Air fryer salmon with garlic-lemon butter sauce.

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