Print

Quick Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Butter in 10 Minutes

air fryer salmon with lemon butter - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick crispy air fryer salmon with lemon butter is a weeknight secret weapon—ready in 10 minutes from frozen or fresh, with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup. The lemon butter creates a glossy, tangy coating that caramelizes slightly, giving you crispy edges and a tender, flaky interior.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Optional garnishes: fresh dill, parsley, chives, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Most air fryers need about 3 minutes to preheat.
  2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down on a plate and season evenly with salt and pepper.
  4. Brush the top and sides of each fillet with the lemon butter mixture. Reserve any leftover butter for drizzling after cooking. Let the salmon sit for 2 minutes while the air fryer finishes preheating.
  5. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving at least an inch of space between them. Optionally, add lemon slices around the salmon.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 7-9 minutes for 6-ounce fillets. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 125°F to 130°F for medium. For well-done, cook 9-10 minutes.
  7. Remove salmon from air fryer using tongs. Let rest for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle reserved lemon butter over the top, squeeze fresh lemon juice, and garnish with herbs if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

For frozen salmon, add 2-3 minutes to cooking time and check at 10 minutes. Do not flip the salmon during cooking to maintain crispy top. Let salmon rest 1-2 minutes after cooking for carryover cooking. If salmon isn’t getting crispy, ensure air fryer is not overcrowded and avoid opening it too often. For dairy-free, use ghee or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, lemon butter salmon, quick salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, gluten-free salmon, low-carb salmon

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/quick-crispy-air-fryer-salmon-with-lemon-butter-in-10-minutes/