Crispy Air Fryer Salmon (Ready in 12 Minutes)

Look, I used to be terrified of cooking salmon. Overcooked it so many times that Sarah banned me from touching fish for like two years. Then I got an air fryer and everything changed.

This method is basically foolproof. The air fryer gives you that crispy skin without any oil, and the fish stays perfectly flaky inside. Takes 12 minutes total and you’re gonna wonder why you ever bothered with the oven.

Here’s what you need to know: salmon is already perfect for keto. High fat, high protein, zero carbs. This is one of those meals that keeps you satisfied for hours.

Macros per serving: 285 calories, 18g fat, 28g protein, 0g net carbs

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin-on)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• Optional: lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Pat the salmon completely dry with paper towels. This is key—any moisture will prevent that crispy skin we’re after.

2. Mix all the spices in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning all over both sides of the fillets.

3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.

4. Place salmon skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.

5. Cook for 7 minutes, then flip carefully and cook another 3-5 minutes. Internal temp should hit 145°F.

6. Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving. The carryover cooking will finish it perfectly.

Tips

So here’s the thing about salmon thickness—if your fillets are super thick (like 1.5 inches), add an extra 2 minutes. Thinner pieces might be done in 8-9 minutes total.

I overcooked this the first time because I didn’t trust the timing. Don’t be me. Salmon continues cooking when you take it out, so slightly underdone is better than overdone.

Wanna switch up the seasoning? Try cajun spice, everything bagel seasoning, or just salt and dill. All work great.

This keeps in the fridge for about 3 days. Great cold on salads or reheated gently in the air fryer for 2 minutes.

Bottom line: if you’ve got 12 minutes, you’ve got dinner. Give this one a shot and let me know what you think.