Print

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Butter – Easy & Perfect

crispy air fryer salmon with lemon butter - featured image
Print Recipe

This crispy air fryer salmon with lemon butter is a quick and easy weeknight hero, delivering perfectly crispy skin and tender, flaky fish in under 20 minutes. The bright lemon butter sauce ties everything together for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each, skin-on)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)
  • Fresh herbs (dill or chives, optional)
  • Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Brush each fillet with olive oil on both sides, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the flesh side (not the skin side).
  4. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin-side up, making sure the fillets aren’t touching each other.
  5. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  6. While the salmon cooks, make the lemon butter sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes if using.
  7. Let the salmon rest for 2 minutes after cooking.
  8. Serve immediately, skin-side up, with lemon butter sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with flaky sea salt and fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, ensure the salmon is thoroughly dried before seasoning. If your air fryer runs hot, check the salmon at 7 minutes. The lemon butter sauce can be made dairy-free by using vegan butter or olive oil. Leftover salmon is best reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, lemon butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, keto salmon, gluten-free salmon

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-salmon-with-lemon-butter-easy-and-perfect/