Salmon in Air Fryer – Easy Foil Method

Air fryer salmon is one of my favorite things to cook when I need a quick family-friendly meal. It’s easy, delicious and with this method – almost entirely mess-free.

A Quick Method to Cook Salmon

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is one of my favorite ways to get a meal on the table in a hurry. No splattering oil, no lingering fishy smell in the kitchen, and no fiddly clean-up – just moist, flaky, perfectly cooked salmon in around 20 minutes.

The secret? Wrapping each fillet in foil with a pat of butter and a slice of lemon so it steams gently inside, soaking up all that flavor. It’s fresh, healthy, and feels a little special so whether it’s a mid-week night, or a family feast, it’s a winner. You can even cook salmon from frozen with this method.

By the way, if you want a child-friendly salmon dish, try out these air fryer salmon bites.

Find out more about using foil in an air fryer .

Why Use an Air Fryer for Cooking Salmon

Making salmon in an air fryer is a home cook's dream come true, here's why:

• Mess-free cooking: The foil parcels mean no oil splatters and hardly any washing up.
• Moist and flaky salmon: The foil locks in steam, so it never dries out.
• Fast and reliable: Dinner on the table in 20 minutes, with consistent results every time.
• Hands-off cooking: Just season, wrap, cook – no standing over the pan or flipping fish.

Ingredients for air fried salmon

You only need a few simple ingredients for this easy salmon dinner:

• 2 fresh salmon fillets (I prefer to use skin-on fillets as I find they cook really well and the skin is easy to remove after cooking if you prefer).
• Salt and black pepper
• Butter
• Lemon slices

Check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer

How Long to Air Fry Salmon

The exact time depends on how thick your fillets are and how you like your salmon cooked. For most average-sized fillets, 16–20 minutes at 380°F (190°C) gives perfectly flaky, moist salmon. Thicker fillets may need a minute or two longer; thinner ones might be done earlier, so start checking at 15 minutes.

Swaps and Substitutions

• Butter-free: Swap butter for a drizzle of olive oil.
• Citrus swap: Use lime slices for a slightly different flavor.
• Herbs: Fresh dill, thyme, or parsley pair beautifully with salmon.

Other Flavors to Try – Make It Your Own

This method is a blank canvas for flavor, you could try:

• Garlic butter and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
• A spoonful of honey and a squeeze of mustard before wrapping.
• A dash of soy sauce and ginger slices for an Asian-inspired twist.
• A sprinkle of Cajun seasoning for a little kick.

What to Serve with Salmon

This salmon goes with almost anything. Try it with veggies like air fryer carrots or zucchini fries, crispy air fryer potatoes, fluffy rice, or a big green salad. As a treat, I love to serve it with a portion of French fries with mayo for dipping. It’s also delicious flaked over pasta or stirred into a creamy risotto.

I also love serving salmon with rice in a salmon bowl.

How to Store and Reheat Cooked Salmon Safely

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat cooked salmon in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C), then place the salmon in the basket for 3-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Ensure the salmon is heated through and crispy before serving. Alternatively, you can enjoy salmon cold in salads or sandwiches.

How to Adapt This Recipe to Use Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer

Can you cook salmon from frozen in an air fryer? Yes! You can cook salmon straight from frozen using this foil packet method. Just add an extra 5–7 minutes to the cooking time and check doneness with a fork. The foil helps keep the fish moist while it cooks through. Or check out this air fryer frozen salmon method for more details.

Salmon in Air Fryer

This easy salmon in air fryer recipe makes perfectly moist, flaky salmon every time. Cooked in foil parcels with lemon and butter for a mess-free, 20-minute dinner.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: easy,

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Makes: 2

Calories: 230kcal

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 slices of fresh lemon
• 2 small pats of butter
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Pat salmon fillets dry with kitchen paper.
• Place each fillet on a rectangle of foil. Season with salt and pepper, top with a slice of lemon and a pat of butter.
• Loosely wrap the foil around the fish, sealing the edges.
• Place foil parcels in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F (190°C) for 16–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Carefully open a parcel to check if salmon is cooked through and flakes easily. Return to the air fryer for a few minutes more if needed.
• Use tongs to remove parcels safely, watch for hot steam, and serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Notes

Nutritional information is approximated and for guidance only. 

If using frozen fillets, add 5 minutes extra, or until the fish is fully cooked through.

Don't wrap the foil too tightly, you want to leave room for the steam inside the parcels to circulate.

Nutrition

Serving: 130g | Calories: 230kcal | Protein: 26g | Fat: 14.6g