Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Skin Secrets

If you're a fan of salmon, you'll love how an air fryer can give you crispy skin and a juicy, flaky middle. It's a quick and easy way to cook salmon, and you can season it however you like. The key to getting crispy skin is to pat the salmon dry, brush it with oil, and cook it skin-side up in the air fryer. You can also cook the skin separately to get it extra crispy.

Salmon preparation

Ingredients

• Salmon fillet(s)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Other seasonings/spices (optional)

Method

• If you need to, cut your salmon into portions/fillets. Place the salmon skin-side-down on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut through the raw salmon skin.
• Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
• Brush or drizzle both sides of the salmon with olive oil.
• Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
• Place the salmon in the air fryer tray, skin-side up.
• Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8-11 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
• If you want crispier skin, use tongs to carefully remove the skin from the top of the salmon. Transfer the skin back to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.
• Serve the salmon with the crisped skin on top or underneath the fillets.

Air fryer settings

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• If you want crispy skin, cook the salmon skin-side up.
• For a basic seasoning, sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper.
• For a more complex seasoning, try a dry rub with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sea salt.
• For a sweet and savoury flavour, add a tablespoon of brown sugar to your seasoning.
• For a simple, healthy option, brush the salmon with olive oil.
• For a well-done salmon with crispy skin, cook at 400°F for 8–11 minutes.
• For a medium-rare salmon with crispy skin, cook at 400°F for 7–8 minutes.
• For a basic guide to cooking salmon in the air fryer, follow these steps:
• Take the salmon and dry with paper towels.
• Drizzle with olive oil, and spread over the salmon, making sure all sides are coated.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any herbs or spices.
• Place the salmon in the air fryer, skin-side up, and cook for 7–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

Tips

• For a more intense flavour, marinate the salmon before cooking.
• For a more thorough coating of your seasoning, toss the salmon in a bowl with the spices and oil, using your hands to mix.
• For a more caramelised flavour, break up clumps of brown sugar with your hands or a fork before mixing with the other spices.
• For a crispier skin, separate the skin from the salmon and cook it separately in the air fryer.
• For a less smoky kitchen, turn on the extractor fan and open your windows before you start cooking.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for salmon in an air fryer will depend on the thickness of the fillets, the temperature of the fillets going into the air fryer, and whether or not you want a crisp on the bottom and top of the salmon. For thinner fillets, you’ll need 6 to 8 minutes, while thicker salmon will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook through.

If you want your salmon to be well-done, then the skin will get fairly crispy as the salmon cooks skin-side-up. However, if you are cooking your salmon to between 120°F and 140°F, then you need to do an extra step to get the skin crispy. Once the salmon reaches your desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer with the skin still up. Use tongs or a fork to carefully remove the skin from the top of the fish. Transfer the skin back to the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until it is nice and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.

Salmon is considered fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking for accuracy, be sure to use a meat thermometer!

If you are cooking salmon skin only, pre-heat the air fryer to 392°F then add the salmon skin and cook for about 6 minutes. Check on it and make sure it hasn’t stuck to the bottom. Add it back to the fryer and cook for another 5 minutes, check again and either stop cooking there or keep going, checking every 2 minutes to make sure the skin isn’t burning. When it’s lightly browned, curled and crispy, place the cooked skin on a wire rack to cool down.

Removing the skin

If you are removing the skin before cooking the salmon, you can cook the skin separately in the air fryer. Season the skin on both sides with salt and pepper, and place it in the air fryer. It is recommended to use a silicon basket to prevent excess fat from dripping to the bottom of the air fryer and burning. Spray a tiny amount of oil on the skin to prevent it from sticking, but be aware that there is enough fat in the skin that will melt and do the rest of the work.

If you are cooking the salmon with the skin on, it is recommended to cook it skin-side up. This will expose the skin to more circulating air, helping it to crisp up.

Serving suggestions

• Rice
• Green curry
• Salsa verde
• Yogurt sauce
• Roasted potatoes
• Asparagus
• Air fryer sesame green beans
• Air fryer Mediterranean vegetables
• Air fryer Greek-inspired potatoes
• Salads
• Grain bowls
• Lemon juice
• Chipotle mashed sweet potatoes
• Roasted asparagus and tomatoes
• Roasted harissa carrots
• Roasted red cabbage
• Air fryer bananas
• Air fryer cinnamon apples
• Steamed brown rice
• Coconut rice
• Air fryer Brussels sprouts
• Stir Fry Vegetables
• Roasted Vegetables
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Steamed broccoli rice
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
• Air fryer Kale Chips
• Air fryer chicken wings
• Buffalo wings
• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted cabbage
• Air fryer salmon steak
• Air fryer honey garlic salmon
• Air fryer teriyaki salmon
• Air fryer orange salmon
• Air fryer Tuscan salmon
• Air fryer honey Dijon salmon
• Air fryer brown sugar salmon
• Air fryer honey mustard salmon

Prosecco

• Wild sockeye salmon
• Atlantic salmon
• King salmon
• Frozen salmon

• In the refrigerator
• In a bowl of cold water

Frequently asked questions