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Create a high-protein, low-calorie meal in less than 15 minutes with this Air Fryer Salmon recipe! It’s topped with a whole-grain mustard glaze that’s packed with flavor and is only 272 calories with 35 grams of protein.
Quick Summary: Air Fryer Salmon
- Why Make This Recipe: Nutrient-dense salmon with a tangy mustard glaze cooked to tender perfection in the air fryer in less than 15 minutes.
- Nutrition: 272 calories, 35 grams of protein
- Diet: Low-Calorie, High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
- Time: 13 minutes total (5 minutes prep time, 8 minutes cook time)
- Method: Air Fryer
- Best for: Busy weeknights, hot days when you don’t want the oven on, and high-protein meal prep.
- Tip: Cook the salmon skin side down so the meat easily lifts off the skin when the fish is finished cooking.
Many of my weight loss clients think I spend hours making fancy meals and meal prepping, but the truth is most of my meals are simple and basic. This salmon in the air fryer takes just minutes of active time, but it’s highly nutritious. It doesn’t get any easier to eat healthy than that, especially when you pair your fish with a tasty vegetable.
If you like healthy fish dinner recipes, you will love my fish fajitas and this low-calorie cod with veggies.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- The Glaze Seasons and Protects: The whole grain mustard glaze is packed with flavor that pairs beautifully with the salmon. It also keeps the fish moist and helps protect it from drying out under the high heat of the air fryer.
- No Added Sugar to Burn: At 400°F, many glazes would start to burn because they typically contain sugar. This whole mustard glaze is completely sugar-free, so it won’t burn!
- No Flipping Required: Air fryers circulate heat to cook both the top and bottom of the salmon, so there is no need for flipping the fish halfway through cooking.
Ingredients
- Salmon Filets: This recipe calls for 12 ounces of wild skin-on salmon, which is divided into two 6-ounce fillets. I prefer wild salmon, but you could also use farmed salmon. Farmed fillets are fattier and typically thicker, so they may take a little longer to cook.
- Whole Grain Mustard: This mustard helps cut through rich foods, like salmon, because of its acidity and tanginess. If you don’t have whole grain mustard, use Dijon or honey mustard instead.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- Try a Different Fish: Try this recipe with any other fish, like halibut or cod, just keep in mind less fatty fish may cook more quickly. If you enjoy halibut, try this healthy halibut recipe too!
- Experiment with Different Seasonings: Don’t limit yourself to just mustard! You can top your air-fried salmon with various flavors, like lemon and dill or Cajun seasoning. I also love making everything bagel salmon.
- Add Vegetables: If you have room in your air fryer without crowding the fish, you could toss in some broccoli or Brussels sprouts to make a full meal.
How to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer
This healthy air fryer salmon recipe is quick and simple, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend lunch. My air fryer doesn’t need to be preheated, but if yours does, then you’ll need to preheat it to 400°F before you cook your fish.
- Step 1: Prepare the Salmon. Depending on the size of your salmon, you may need to cut it in half to fit it in the air fryer. Place it in the air fryer, skin side down, on a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the bottom of your air fryer.
- Step 2: Make the Mustard Glaze. Combine the olive oil, whole grain mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture over each piece of salmon until it is completely covered.
- Step 3: Air Fry. Cook the coated salmon for about 8 minutes at 400°F. The salmon will easily flake apart when it is cooked.
Expert Tips
- Pat Salmon Dry: Use a paper towel to pat the salmon dry before you place it in the air fryer. This helps the glaze adhere to the outside of the fish better.
- Checking Doneness: Salmon is typically cooked to medium when it easily flakes apart, and the center is slightly translucent. The USDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F, but I prefer to pull mine early so it isn’t dry.
- Storage Directions: Keep leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze salmon. You can enjoy cold leftovers flaked over a salad, or reheat it very briefly in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer salmon with mustard is the perfect quick, easy dinner on a busy weeknight when you want to eat healthy but don’t want to cook. It comes together quickly and becomes a full meal when paired with a vegetable or easy salad. This is sure to become a frequent part of your meal rotation because it’s so easy and versatile.
- Pair your air-fried salmon with a side of veggies like roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, or sautéed green beans.
- A fun salad loaded with fiber and fun flavor, like my feta beet salad or cauliflower broccoli salad, pairs well with the bold mustard glaze on the fish.
- Salmon and Brussels sprouts taste great together, so this bacon Brussels sprouts is the perfect low-effort side dish to pair with this recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can air fry frozen salmon without thawing it first. Air fry frozen salmon fillets at 400°F for about 14-16 minutes. Set a timer to check the fish after 10 minutes to make sure you don’t overcook it.
It’s best to cook it skin side down. That keeps the glazed side facing the heat so the mustard browns, and the skin holds the fillet together so it’s easy to lift out. If you don’t eat the skin, the salmon slides right off it after cooking.
Yes, you can bake this salmon in the oven instead. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Then bake the glazed fish for 8-10 minutes, or until it’s cooked to at least medium.
More Healthy Salmon Recipes
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Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Salmon, skin on and thawed
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Whole Grain Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Dried Parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix together the olive oil, whole grain mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Cut the salmon into two pieces if purchased whole then spread the mixture over the salmon to cover completely.
- Place parchment paper in the basket of the air fryer to prevent sticking then place the salmon pieces on top. Cook 8 minutes at 400 F. Note, you may need to preheat your air fryer first. Mine does not require preheating.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serv immediately with dried parsley on top. Store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Notes
- Pat the salmon dry before placing it in the air fryer. It helps the glaze adhere to the outside of the fish better.
- Salmon is typically finished cooking when it flakes apart easily, and the center appears slightly opaque.
- Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
