Air-Fryer Salmon for a Quick, Easy, High-Protein Dinner

Doing the familiar weeknight dinner dance of trying to find a recipe that’s quick, easy, tasty, and healthy? Well, tonight, we’ve got you covered. This air-fryer salmon recipe only takes a few minutes to prep and cook, and it contains healthy fats, fiber, and a whopping 45 grams of protein per serving.

Even better? It’s made in the air fryer (you might have guessed that), making the salmon crispy on the outside but soft and flakey on the inside.

Read on for the ingredients you’ll need, how to make it, what to serve your salmon with, and variations to try.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this air-fryer salmon recipe. These quantities serve two:

• 2 6-ounce salmon filets, skinless and boneless (wild-caught salmon is best)

• ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder 

• ⅛ teaspoon each salt (go for kosher or Celtic sea salt if you can) and black pepper

• 1 bunch of asparagus

• 5 ounces of mushrooms (shiitake or king trumpet are best, if available)

• Olive oil cooking spray

This recipe has minimal prep time, under 10 minutes of actual cooking, and low-fuss clean-up. A win on all sides. The total time to make this dish could be under 20 minutes.

Here’s how to make air-fryer salmon:

1. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray to stop the fish from sticking to it. Spray the top of the salmon filets, too.

2. Rub the salmon filets with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. If you’re using skin-on salmon, place the salmon into the air fryer skin side down and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for eight minutes. (You might need nine or 10 minutes if your salmon filet is on the thicker side or if you have a different desired level of doneness.)

4. While the salmon is cooking, trim the ends of the asparagus and slice the mushrooms.

5. When ready, remove the salmon from the air fryer and place it on a plate.

6. Place the asparagus and mushrooms into the air fryer. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper and cook for six to seven minutes.

If your air fryer’s big enough, you can cook the salmon, asparagus, and mushrooms at the same time. Just take out the veggies a minute or two before the salmon if they’re cooked to your liking.

There are plenty of reasons to add this air-fryer salmon recipe to your weekly meal plan. The crispy salmon skin is just the start. Here’s why we love it.

Air-Fry Salmon Is Packed With Protein

Protein is kind of a big deal. It’s needed to build and maintain muscle, keep the immune system working properly, and help with hormone regulation.

If you’re looking to lose weight or maintain your weight, protein is key here, too. It can help you feel full and satisfied, and high-protein meals may also curb cravings.

Plus, as you’re losing body fat, you may lose muscle at the same time. Eating high-protein foods like salmon can minimize this, helping you hold onto the muscle you have.

Protein content varies, but 100 grams of salmon can contain 22.3 grams of protein — that’s about 38 grams in a six-ounce filet.

A general guideline is to consume 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. So, for someone weighing 75 kilograms (about 165 pounds), the recommended daily intake would be around 60 grams of protein. If you’re losing weight, make sure you eat even more protein than that. Our protein calculator can give you more personalized guidance.

If you’re watching your intake of carbohydrates, this is a low-carb meal that’s still filling and nutritious. It also pairs well with carbs — like brown rice or quinoa — if you want to make it a more substantial meal. In all of these examples, the recipe is gluten-free, too.

Salmon Is a Source of Healthy Fats

Salmon is low in saturated fat and high in healthy fats, like monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These healthy fats can help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Salmon is also great for brain health. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may lower your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Salmon Is a Great Source of Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that supports immune, hormone, and thyroid function, among other things. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and some experts believe it might play a role in preventing cancer. 

A 100-gram filet of salmon (about three and a half ounces) contains roughly 30 micrograms of selenium. The recommended dietary allowance is 55 micrograms, BTW.

Beyond selenium, salmon contains:

• Calcium

• Potassium

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin D

These vitamins and minerals help with energy metabolism and bone health — among many other things.

Pair your salmon with veggies to get even more vitamins and minerals, plus some fiber, which is great for gut health, digestion, and feeling fuller.

Air-Fryer Salmon Is Quick and Easy 

Weeknight dinners call for minimal prep, minimal cook time, and minimal effort. This recipe checks all the boxes, giving you a nutritious, high-protein meal you can make in minutes.

Want to mix it up? There are plenty of ways to tweak this recipe to suit your tastes or make changes to keep it interesting week after week.

Try dressing the salmon with:

• Fresh lemon juice

• Dijon mustard

• Chili powder

• Cayenne

• Honey

• Thyme

• Ginger

• Cajun seasoning

• Oregano

• Store-bought marinade

For the veggies, you can swap out mushrooms and asparagus for:

• Tenderstem broccoli

• Zucchini

• Bell peppers

• Green beans

• Cherry tomatoes

• Salad leaves

For a larger meal with a serving of complex carbs, you can also serve your salmon with:

• Brown rice

• Quinoa

• Couscous

• Roasted sweet potato

These are all excellent additions or substitutions for our Mediterranean quinoa bowl.

Got leftovers? Meal-prepped an extra batch? This dish stores well.

Keep salmon in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two days. You can either make a repeat of this meal, mix up the veggies, or flake pieces of salmon onto a salad or grain bowl for a ready-made hit of protein.

Serve the leftover salmon cold, or gently reheat it in a skillet or the air fryer.

Air-frying is such a quick and easy way to cook salmon. Don’t forget — you can mix up the seasonings or veggies to keep this recipe interesting.

Looking for new recipes or want more air-fryer salmon ideas? Our crispy air-fryer salmon bites are a yummy twist on fish dinners.