🍯🧄 Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is a quick, flavorful dinner featuring tender salmon fillets coated in a sweet, savory garlic glaze. The air fryer creates a beautifully caramelized exterior while keeping the inside moist and flaky—perfect for a healthy weeknight meal.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Honey Garlic Glaze
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Prepare the Salmon
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Brush lightly with olive oil.
- Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Whisk together:
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Butter
- Dijon mustard
- Ginger
- Red pepper flakes
Set aside.
3. Air Fry the Salmon
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the basket.
- Brush generously with honey garlic glaze.
- Air fry for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness.
The salmon is done when it flakes easily and reaches 145°F (63°C) internally.
4. Finish & Serve
- Brush with extra glaze.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve with lemon wedges.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with:
🍚 Jasmine rice or coconut rice
🥦 Roasted broccoli
🥔 Garlic roasted potatoes
🥗 Asian cucumber salad
🍜 Stir-fried vegetables
🥑 Avocado salad
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Salmon
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed.
- Keep the skin on for extra moisture and easier handling.
- Add glaze halfway through cooking for a thicker sticky coating.
- For extra caramelization, air fry for 1–2 additional minutes at the end.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
Flavor Variations
🌶️ Spicy Honey Garlic Salmon: Add sriracha or extra chili flakes.
🍋 Lemon Herb Salmon: Add dill, parsley, and extra lemon zest.
🧈 Garlic Butter Salmon: Replace honey glaze with garlic herb butter.
🥢 Teriyaki Salmon: Swap honey garlic sauce for teriyaki glaze.
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is sweet, savory, garlicky, and ready in under 20 minutes—a simple seafood dinner that tastes restaurant-quality. 🍯🐟✨