Honey Garlic Salmon

I love using my air fryer, and salmon recipes are quickly becoming some of my favorites. From maple Dijon air fryer salmon to air fryer pesto salmon, it is ridiculously easy to cook tender, flavorful fish with just the right amount of crispiness on top. Salmon is an ideal fish for air frying, because the flesh is firm and holds its shape well while cooking. This air fryer honey garlic salmon is slathered with a tangy sauce made with Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. It comes together in 20 minutes, making this a great choice for busy weeknights or entertaining on weekends when I just don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen.

Needless to say, every bite is absolutely packed with flavor. Add some crisp veggies on the side, like air fryer green beans or air fryer asparagus, and you’ve got a complete meal that everyone will love!

Why I Always Come Back to This Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

• Sweet and tangy flavor. The honey garlic sauce contains fresh minced garlic, sweet honey, tangy Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a flavor explosion in each bite!
• Flaky texture. Cooking salmon in the air fryer makes it moist and tender on the inside, but slightly crispy on the outside. It’s an irresistible combination.
• Quick and easy. You can prep this honey garlic salmon dinner in 4 minutes, and have it on the table in 20! It’s a great alternative to my baked version when I don’t feel like switching on the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need simple ingredients to make this easy air fryer salmon recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for specific amounts.

• Salmon filets – I prefer to use wild-caught salmon, which has fewer calories per filet, but you can also use farmed salmon. Ask your butcher where their salmon comes from, and they should be able to tell you. Leave the skin on as it helps the salmon hold its shape in the air fryer. I give my filets a quick seasoning with salt and pepper to start, since I’ll add the honey garlic sauce later.
• Avocado oil – You’ll use this to gently brush the salmon before frying. It gives the salmon a deliciously crisp exterior.
• Garlic cloves – Freshly minced garlic adds the boldest flavor! Store-bought minced garlic will also work, though.
• Dijon mustard – This kind of mustard is more tangy and a bit spicier than regular yellow mustard.
• Honey – You could swap honey with maple syrup to keep the sweetness with a different flavor profile.
• Rosemary – Use freshly chopped rosemary and thyme. If you need to use dried herbs in a pinch, you’ll need about 1/3 of the amount since the flavor is more concentrated.
• Lemon – Add a slice of lemon on top for garnish and to squeeze over the fish when serving.

How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer

Are you ready to make an incredible salmon dinner? Here’s how to do it:

• Make the honey garlic sauce. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, mustard, honey, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it is combined, and then set aside.
• Heat the air fryer to 400°F. Preheat for 2-3 minutes.
• Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Then, brush avocado oil on the flesh side of the salmon, and season it with salt and pepper.
• Cook the salmon. Using tongs, gently place the salmon skin side down in the air fryer basket and air fry for 7-8 minutes (depending on the thickness of your salmon).
• Add the sauce. Open the air fryer, brush the salmon with the honey garlic sauce, and place a slice of lemon on top of each filet. Close the air fryer and air fry for an additional 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. Check for the desired doneness with a fork; it should flake easily.
• Remove the salmon from the air fryer. Serve and enjoy!

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes, you can use frozen salmon. The easiest way to do this is to thaw the salmon overnight, but you can also use the frozen salmon without thawing. To use frozen salmon that has not been thawed, preheat your air fryer to 360ºF, then lay the salmon on a piece of aluminum foil and place it in the air fryer for about 6-7 minutes until it has thawed. Proceed with the rest of the recipe, raising the air fryer temperature to 400ºF and cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Salmon

• Different cooking oil. Just make sure it has a high smoke point. I would recommend sunflower or peanut oil as alternatives to avocado oil. Canola oil also works in a pinch.
• How do I know when salmon is done? The easiest way to tell if your honey garlic salmon has finished cooking is to use an instant-read thermometer. Salmon is cooked when it reaches 145ºF.
• No thermometer? If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, the best way to check for salmon doneness is by color and texture. Cooked salmon is opaque and light pink in color and flakes easily when pressed with a fork.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

Wondering what goes with honey garlic air fryer salmon? Here are a few suggestions:

• Vegetable sides: This roasted asparagus recipe goes wonderfully with air fryer salmon, as does a side of creamed onions or roasted broccoli with Parmesan and lemon butter.
• Salad: Enjoy a fresh salad on the side, or serve your salmon filet right on top. I love this broccolini salad, orzo pasta salad, or a farro salad.
• Starch dishes: Pair buttery, sweet-tangy air fryer salmon with Instant Pot jasmine rice or crispy air fryer roasted potatoes.
• Meal bowls: Add this salmon to a salmon poke bowl or make a salmon crispy rice bowl with sheet pan crispy rice and Asian cucumber salad or creamy coleslaw.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• Refrigerate. Let your air fryer honey garlic salmon cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat. When you’re ready to eat it, I recommend reheating leftovers in a non-stick skillet on the stovetop until the salmon has warmed through. I love turning leftovers into salmon tacos.
• Freeze. You can freeze this air fryer salmon for 2-3 months in an airtight container once cooled. For the best results, thaw the salmon overnight in the fridge before reheating it.

More Favorite Salmon Recipes

• Cedar Plank Salmon
• Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites With Garlic Honey Butter
• Easy Salmon Tacos With Creamy Slaw
• Honey Blackened Salmon
• Grilled Lemon Pepper Salmon

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