Crispy, flaky, tender, and aromatic—this Air-Fryer Salmon With Skin will have your mouth watering!
Did you know about two-thirds of the U.S. has an air fryer in their kitchen? It’s no wonder, as there are plenty of things you can do with an air fryer. I’m many years into owning my beloved air fryer, and I’m still finding out things I can do with it. Roast a whole chicken? Yep. Rescue old French fries? 100%! Grill fish? Of course. That might be my favorite use of the thing, actually, even though the smell makes my cat go nuts.
I used to count on my trusty stovetop skillet to crisp up a salmon fillet (with the skin on the bottom, of course). I thought crispy salmon skin required a flame and a hot pan! Imagine my surprise when I found out I could do pretty much the same thing in my air fryer, in less time, with no fishy stove splatters necessary.
This air-fryer salmon recipe will show you exactly how to do it, and honestly, there’s not much to it! There are no special skills necessary, there are barely any ingredients, and there are no weird or hard-to-find seasonings. Salmon is so delicious with simple seasonings and just a little bit of olive oil to make sure things get crispy. If you have a cat who goes crazy when you cook fish, just set aside a little bit of unseasoned fish for the cat. You know, as a treat.
Is Air-Fryer Salmon With Skin Healthy?
Not only is air-fryer salmon with skin delicious and easy to make, but it is also great for your health! Salmon is a rich source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and salmon skin has a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than the fish meat itself. The skin also contains plenty of protein, B and D vitamins, selenium, and potassium. This recipe also calls for olive oil, which is a great source of healthy unsaturated fats. The only other two ingredients are salt and black pepper, but these are to taste, so you have a lot of flexibility on how much to include. If you pair this air-fryer salmon with a few healthy sides, you will end up with quite a healthy dinner.
The Case For Leaving The Salmon Skin On
To me, a crispy piece of salmon skin is the best part of a salmon fillet. If the idea of eating salmon skin grosses you out because fish are slimy, know that it will not be slimy when it’s done cooking. There won’t be any weird scales on it, and also, it’s super good for you.
It’s good to keep in mind that removing salmon skin is easier when it’s already cooked. So, cook it first, take a bite, and then decide whether to remove it or leave it on. If you’re still not on board the salmon skin train, you can give your salmon crisp to me, or to your cat, who is probably already begging for it. (I looked it up; it’s fine to give cats a nibble of cooked salmon skin.)
How Do I Store Leftovers?
To store air-fried salmon with the skin on, let it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Once packed, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you keep it any longer, it may lose some of the delicious crispiness and increase the fishy taste. Therefore, I recommend enjoying it the same day you cook it for ultimate freshness.
Serving Suggestions
There’s a world of fun and creativity to be had with this crispy and healthy protein! You can take a simpler, more comforting route by pairing the salmon with Roasted Potatoes And Asparagus. Or, you could opt for a fluffy side of rice, such as Coconut-Cilantro-Lime Rice or a classic Rice Pilaf. For a more adventurous twist, consider incorporating the salmon into a Sushi Burrito, or using it in fish tacos!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets with skin 6 ounces each
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season each fillet with salt and black pepper.
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over each fillet and rub it in to coat evenly.
- Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 7 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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