Easy Maple Dijon Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

My classic Maple Dijon Air Fryer Salmon Recipe makes the most tender, juicy and delicious maple glazed salmon in just 15 minutes. This quick, easy and healthy entree will make weeknight dinners easier than ever!

Looking for more salmon recipes? Try my 20 Minute Garlic Butter Salmon or my Creamy Tuscan Pan Seared Salmon.

An Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

It can be hard to cook a salmon perfectly, especially if you like crispy edges and tender, juicy meat. With this quick and easy air fryer recipe, cooking salmon is a piece of cake! And the maple dijon sauce that goes with it is irresistible. 

This flavorful dinner recipe is healthy, too! Salmon is packed with protein, vitamins, potassium and more. And this air fryer recipe is gluten-free, low-carb and Paleo. If you were to score a dish based on convenience, tastiness and nutritional value, this salmon would get a perfect 10! This is seriously my new favorite way to make salmon… hands down!

Why Make Salmon in the Air Fryer?

I’m definitely thankful for the invention of the air fryer. Its ability to cook a perfect salmon in under 10 minutes is incredible! I’ve never gotten this good of a tender-crisp combination with another cooking method, even under the broiler in the oven. It’s a game changer for sure!

The air fryer traps the juices in with the salmon, and it doesn’t leave you with a huge mess to clean up. Factor in the super fast preheating time and the quality of the fish, and it’s clear that air fryer salmon is superior!

Recipe Ingredients

This dish comes together with fewer than 10 ingredients, maple dijon sauce included. All you need are the salmon filets, the seasonings, and a handful of ingredients for the sauce.

For the Salmon

• Salmon Filets: They should be about 4-6 ounces each.
• Avocado Oil: You could use another oil with a high smoke point, such as grape seed oil, if desired.
• Salt & Pepper: Add the salt and pepper to taste.
• Lemon Slices: I love the zesty flavor that the lemon gives this salmon!

For the Maple Dijon Sauce

• Dijon Mustard: Equal parts mustard and maple syrup make this sweet and savory sauce shine.
• Maple Syrup: Opt for pure maple syrup rather than the artificial stuff.
• Garlic: You can mince your own garlic or buy it pre-minced.
• Thyme: Use fresh thyme for the best flavor!
• Salt & Pepper: To taste.

What Kind of Salmon to Use

I highly recommend using wild caught salmon for this recipe. Farmed salmon simply isn’t the same in terms of flavor or texture. You can use frozen salmon, if you want, as long as it’s completely thawed. If you’d like to remove the bones from your fish, you can easily do so with a sanitized pair of pliers.

Can frozen salmon be cooked in the Air Fryer?

I get asked this question all the time. Can it be cooked from frozen? Yes. Do I recommend it? No. Fresh is always best. If you’re a texture person I’d recommend thawing your salmon out. However, if you simply just don’t have the time, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the salmon skin side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then follow the rest of the directions in the recipe card.

How to Make Maple Dijon Air Fryer Salmon

Making this air fryer salmon may be the easiest 15 minutes of your life! It really couldn’t be simpler, and the aroma of the salmon cooking will make you swoon.

1. Make Maple Dijon Sauce: To a small bowl, add dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Whisk together and set aside.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes.
3. Dry Salmon: Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel.
4. Oil & Season: Brush the avocado oil on the flesh side of the salmon and season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook: Using tongs, gently place the salmon, skin side down, in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 7-9 minutes (depending on the thickness of your salmon).
6. Add Sauce & Lemons: After 5 minutes, open the air fryer, brush the salmon with maple dijon sauce and place 2 slices of lemon on top of each salmon.
7. Finish Cooking: Close the air fryer and air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. Check for desired doneness with a fork.
8. Serve: Remove your fish from the air fryer and serve!

Tips for Air Fryer Salmon Success

That seems easy enough, right? If you’re new to the air fryer or inexperienced with cooking salmon, these tips and tricks are here to help!

• Use Filets Similar in Width: If some of your salmon filets are significantly thicker than others, it will be difficult to cook them all evenly. Make sure they’re pretty similar in width.
• Don’t Forget to Preheat: Preheating the air fryer is an essential step for a seared exterior. The air fryer needs to be hot before the filets go in.
• Check for Doneness: Use a fork to check for doneness so you know when your salmon has cooked to perfection. It should get nice and flaky.
• Cook in Batches: If you have a smaller air fryer or larger salmon filets, be careful about overcrowding your air fryer basket. It’s better to work in separate batches than to try and stuff everything in at once.

What Goes with Air Fryer Salmon?

Salmon is a flexible main course that pairs well with pretty much every appetizer and side dish in the book! Here are some of my very favorite things to serve with mine.

• Veggies: Keep things healthy by serving your fish with roasted vegetables. My Paleo Honey Roasted Carrots are a tasty choice!
• Pasta: For a super hearty and flavorful meal, serve your salmon with this easy Burst Tomato Pasta. Talk about healthy comfort food!
• Salad: My Light and Creamy Goat Cheese Asparagus Quinoa Salad is a fresh, healthy and simple side dish for air fryer salmon.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Keep your leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3 days. You can freeze your salmon for 2-3 months, if desired. Thaw frozen salmon in the fridge overnight before you reheat it.

To heat up your leftover salmon, just pop it back in the air fryer! Preheat it to 360°F and heat your salmon for about 4 minutes. It’s that simple!

Other Salmon Recipes you Need to Try:

While I 100% swear by this salmon recipe, there are so many more delicious ways to cook this fish! Check out a couple of my other favorites.

• Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil
• Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil
• Pan Seared Salmon with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
• Pineapple Chipotle Salmon Tostadas
• Honey Mustard Baked Salmon
• Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Dijon Sauce

Print

 

DON’T MISS A RECIPE

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM