This easy keto air fryer salmon recipe is a quick low-carb, high protein, whole30 easy dinner that can be ready in 15 minutes with a delicious zingy, sugar-free dressing and perfect served with a side of any low-carb vegetable you enjoy!
Perfectly Juicy Tender Salmon
Simply the best thing to cook in your air fryer is salmon as it creates this amazing crust on the outside but the inside stays perfectly juicy! Ready in under 15 minutes, this super simple Keto Air Fryer Salmon is a healthy, super low-carb, high-protein lunch or dinner recipe.
If you're looking to increase your intake of healthy fats, the best way to do so is adding salmon to your diet. It's full of essential fatty acids our bodies need to function optimally and of course is a great source of protein.
This is a great way to help with busy weeknights, making them a little bit easier!
Seasoned with a sugar free and sweetener free zingy dressing and some fresh herbs for the best flavor. Feel free to add some coconut aminos, ginger, lime and chili for an oriental twist.
Side Dishes with Air Fryer Salmon
Perfect Air Fryer Salmon
Simple Ingredients
Wild-Caught Salmon Filets, I get mine from Butcherbox
or you could also use avocado oil
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Optional: Coconut Aminos and fresh ginger
How to Cook Air Fryer Salmon
Directions
Step 1 Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
Step 2 Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (makes for easy clean up) and preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. (You could use aluminum foil but I don't because I don't want aluminum seeping into my food.)
Step 3 Add salmon fillets to the air fryer, skin side down.
Step 4 Mix the dressing together in a small bowl (olive oil, dijon, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt + pepper, plus any other optional ingredients). Spoon the dressing over the top of each salmon filet.
Step 5 Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes. Times will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets and whether you used wild or farmed salmon. Mine took 5 minutes for wild caught, 1 inch thick pieces so start checking at about 5 minutes.
Try not to overcook the salmon or it will become dry. Salmon also firms up as it rests. Test the Internal temperature with a meat thermometer which should read 125 degrees for medium or well done, 140 degrees F in the thickest part of the salmon.
Step 6 Sprinkle with fresh herbs to serve and your chosen low carb vegetable or salad. I served mine with steamed green beans in olive oil and a good dollop of mayo!
Top Tips for Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
Choose good quality salmon fillets. I like wild salmon for the best health benefits. Organic salmon is also a good choice.
Make sure you have preheated air fryer.
Line your air fryer with parchment paper to make for easy clean up.
Start checking salmon at 5 minutes. Cooking times will vary depending on the type of salmon used and thickness of your fillets.
What if I don't have an air fryer?
If you're not ready to invest in an air fryer you can two options. You can either cook these salmon filets in a hot pan on your stove top or you can bake.
If you want to bake, simply add the salmon filets to a baking sheet pan and place into a preheated 400 degree F oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the salmon flakes when prodded with a fork.
If you'd like to pan sear your salmon, heat oil in a cast iron or ceramic skillet over medium high heat. Preheating your electric stove top should take about 5 minutes and gas stove tops between 3-4 minutes.
Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over skin and rub in with hands. Place salmon, skin side down, into hot skillet. Sear undisturbed for a total cook time of 6-8 minutes until skin is crispy or until internal temperature is 125 degrees for medium or well done, 140 degrees F.
Equipment
If you've never invested in an air fryer, I highly recommend it. It can cut down cooking time by half if not even more. I've made ribeye steaks in the air fryer from frozen, and 3 pounds of chicken wings in mine which has an extra large basket since I have a family of 5.
Storage
This air fryer salmon recipe is really best if served fresh because you will get that delicious crispy salmon skin that just can't be beat. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge, but the skin will lose its crispness. You can reheat in the air fryer at 300 degrees F for 5 minutes which will help prevent it from drying out.
Looking for more keto air fryer recipes and weeknight meals?
Air Fryer Cheddar Stuffed Burgers
Keto Air Fryer Salmon
Keto Air Fryer Salmon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces salmon fillets divided into two filets
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon vinegar red wine (or lime juice)
- ⅙ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove, minced)
- 1 dash sea salt flaked
- 1 dash black pepper cracked
Optional Extras
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos (or soya sauce with fresh chili)
To Serve
- 1 teaspoon parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dill finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tartar sauce
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towel.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (makes for easy clean up)!
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Add salmon fillets to the air fryer, skin side down.
- Mix the dressing together in a small bowl (olive oil, dijon, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt + pepper, plus any other optional ingredients).
- Spoon the dressing over the top of the salmon.
- Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes. Times will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets and whether you used wild or farmed salmon. Mine took 5 minutes for wild 1 inch thick pieces so start checking at about 5 minutes. Try not to overcook the salmon or it will become dry. Salmon also firms up as it rests. Internal temperature should read 125 degrees for medium or well done, 140 degrees F.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs to serve and your chosen low carb vegetable or salad. I served mine with steamed green beans in olive oil and a good dollop of tartar sauce.
- Best fresh. Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge, but the skin won't be crispy. You can reheat in the air fryer at 300 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Carol
Lovely recipe. It's a keeper! Thank you for posting.
Brenda Bennett
Thanks so much!
Amy
I wanted to try cooking fish in my new air-fryer and found this recipe. It is so simple, yet so delicious. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. My whole family loved it, even my daughter who doesn't particularly like fish.
Jane
Please include any adjustment needed to use oven style airfryer, rather than basket. Thanks
Gale
Aloha Brenda,
This was really good! I wanted something that didn’t use sugar and this recipe did not disappoint. The only change I made was using balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar. Definitely making this again! Excited to try your your snowball cookies next!