Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Salmon

Pioneer Woman air fryer salmon is an easy weeknight dinner made with salmon fillets, olive oil and seasoned salt, ready in 10 minutes. This quick air fryer salmon recipe fits healthy dinners for two, busy weeknights, Lent and summer cookouts, with almost no cleanup.

Preheating the air fryer to 400°F is the step that decides this dish, because the hot circulating air is what forms the light crust on top. Skipping it means the salmon cooks slowly and never gets that caramelized edge.

Cooking the fillets skin side down at high heat gives you flaky, tender salmon with a golden top in just 8 minutes. Since the air fryer needs far less oil than a skillet, a small drizzle of olive oil is all the fish needs.

Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Salmon

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Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

2

minutes

Cooking time

8

minutes

Calories

415

kcal

Salmon fillets get a quick rub of olive oil, seasoned salt and pepper before the hot air fryer turns the top golden and the inside tender. Once it flakes with a fork, a squeeze of lemon finishes it.

Ingredients

• 2 6 oz. salmon fillets
  

• 2 tsp. olive oil
  

• 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
  

• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  

• Nonstick cooking spray
  

• Lemon wedges, to serve
  

Directions

• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. That way the basket is hot the moment the salmon goes in.
• Season the salmon: Drizzle the top side of the two 6 oz. salmon fillets with the olive oil. Then sprinkle on the seasoned salt and ground black pepper so the flesh is evenly coated.
• Prep the basket: Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. That keeps the fillets from sticking when it's time to lift them out.
• Cook the fillets: Place the salmon skin side down in the basket and cook for 8 minutes. It's done when the thickest part flakes easily with a fork and the flesh looks opaque.
• Check the temperature: An instant-read thermometer should read between 130°F and 135°F for medium rare. If you like your salmon more well done, add 2 to 4 more minutes.
• Serve with lemon: Serve the salmon right away with lemon wedges on the side. Then squeeze the juice over the top just before eating.

Tools for this recipe

• Ninja AF101 4-quart air fryer, ThermoPro instant-read thermometer, Winco slotted fish spatula, Partanna Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, 1 liter. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What can I use instead of seasoned salt?

Regular kosher salt with a pinch of garlic powder and paprika works well, since seasoned salt is mostly salt plus those spices. Start with a little less salt, because you can always add more at the table.

How long does leftover air fryer salmon keep?

Store cooled salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently for a few minutes in the air fryer at a lower temperature, since high heat dries it out fast.

Can I cook frozen salmon fillets this way?

It works best to thaw the fillets in the fridge first, so they cook evenly and the seasoning sticks. Frozen fillets release extra water, which keeps the top from getting that light crust.

Can I cook this salmon in the oven instead?

Yes, you can bake the fillets on a lined sheet pan in a hot oven until they flake easily with a fork. The top won't crisp quite as much as in an air fryer, so watch the timing closely.

What's the most common mistake with air fryer salmon?

Overcooking is the big one, since thin fillets go from tender to dry in just a couple of minutes. Use a thermometer and pull the salmon as soon as it hits your target temperature.