Honestly, a lot of times, cooking salmon seems like it hasn’t got a good shot at achieving that sweet crispy outside with a juicy tender inside. Well, I’ve got the secret weapon under my belt that may take you from ordinary to extraordinary when it comes to salmon cooking, and you guys, that weapon recently discovered is the air fryer. Really simple, easy recipe which has become a staple in our home, and I have no doubt will be in yours! I have made this air fryer salmon more times than I can count in the last weeks, and each time it impresses. However, it does come out flavor-bombed and, with the help of air frying, achieves a golden, crisp crust outside while staying perfectly juicy, buttery inside. The texture is out of this world; it melts in your mouth as it breaks apart with the lightest pressure from your fork.Oh, but wait… there’s more! It’s super delicious, but it’s also super adaptable. So many ways to enjoy this salmon, and I’m sharing a few of our favorites here. If you want something fresh, tangy, spicy, this air fryer salmon can hold its own with anything you can think of. We love it dunked in basil sauce or gochujang sauce, in soft tacos with sweet mango corn salsa, or even served over coconut rice with more mango cucumber salsa or with a simple green rice. The combinations go on and on!Also, on the sides, I love serving it with kale salad, which is topped with spicy gochujang mayo; also with crispy avocado Caesar green beans, which are so good they almost upstage the salmon. On rare occasions, I will make a sauce of mashed avocado and Trader Joe’s roasted tomatillo salsa and drizzle it over brown rice with the salmon—heavenly! Even my kids (yes, both under five) wouldn’t get enough of it. I’ve found them in the kitchen snacking on chunks of salmon pulled straight out of the air fryer. It’s that good.Why This Air Fryer Salmon Is a Game-ChangerI’m sure you are asking, “What makes this salmon so darn good?” Let me tell you:Perfectly Crispy with Minimal Effort: This recipe gives you the golden, crisp exterior on the salmon with so little work: Just throw it in the air fryer, and the air fryer does all the hard work for you. No flipping required!Juicy and Buttery Inside Every Time: Best part-each bite perfectly cooked, juicy, and tender inside, with not a single dry spot anywhere on the salmon. And trust me-dry salmon will never be your option again.Flavor Profile Goes with Anything: This isn’t just another salmon recipe where the magic’s in the butter, lemon, and Dijon. This salmon is packed with a robust salty-sweet savoriness that melds easily with so many sauce and side schemes: from tangy tzatziki to spicy romesco to sweet mango salsa-even smoky buffalo sauce. Very much an open canvas for your beloved flavors!How to cook this Air Fryer Salmon Recipe at HomeLet’s talk about making this super-easy, delicious dish.Step 1: Cut Your Salmon Into CubesFirst things first: cut your salmon into chunks. The skinless, boneless cost will be best for this because it leaves you no problems with bones or skin. Cutting the salmon into cubes helps to ensure even coverage with spice coating on all pieces, making every mouthful juicy and flavorful. It will also cook faster and better in the air fryer.Step 2: Toss the Salmon with Spice and Olive OilMarinate cubes of salmon with spices of your choice, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, and toss it all up. Olive oil helps the spices adhere, making everything all the more rich in flavor. All of that spice mixture turns to a gorgeous gold, brings in some crisp texture, and works to bring balance of saltiness to a hint of sweetness.Step 3: Set the air fryer for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.Place the salmon mixture into the air fryer preheated to 400°F, and let it cook for about 8 minutes. If you’re looking for a little less cooked salmon, or if your pieces were smaller, you could reduce the time to about 7 minutes. That’s all there is to it.Step 4: Enjoy the Best Salmon You’ve Ever Had!With the beep of the air fryer, it’s time to dig in. There are no other words but “Bomb dot com,” and I’m dead serious! Super good that I can’t resist snacking on it straight from the air fryer. Pair it absolutely with your favorite sauces and sides, or enjoy it by itself; whatever you choose, this salmon will steal the show.Air Fryer Salmon Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I make it in the oven instead?Absolutely! It won’t crisp up quite as well, but it will still be oh-so-delicious! Bake it best on a sheet pan placed near the top of the oven next to the heating element.What about if I do not have brown sugar?No problem! Brown sugar can always be omitted, thank you very much. The salmon wouldn’t then be very sweet or caramelized, but it will still taste great.Can it be done without cornstarch?Definitely. If you omit cornstarch, the salmon won’t achieve that golden crispy crust, but it will taste just as good.What sort of sauces to serve this air-fryer salmon with?So many options! That salmon can accompany so many sauces, and my favorites are basil sauce, romesco, tzatziki sauce, honey mustard, gochujang sauce, and aji verde sauce. If you’re in a hurry, drizzled hot honey is a really quick and great option.Can I use frozen salmon?Sure, but let it thaw completely before cutting it and seasoning it for use. Drying the salmon makes the seasonings adhere better.Should I marinate the salmon first?I don’t marinate the salmon for this recipe since it’s just so good by itself and doesn’t need any extra preparation. You could also cut and season your salmon before marinating it and pop it in the fridge to await cooking.How do I store leftovers?If there are ever leftovers (which isn’t
