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Easy Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe – delicious crispy and flavorful keto air fried salmon packed with tons of lemon and garlic flavor in under 12 minutes!
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Perfect Tender Air Fried Salmon
This lemon garlic salmon has the most amazing flavor – and you’ll be shocked just how easy it is to get.
If you can season salmon filets and pop them in an air fryer – you can master perfect, tender, and juicy salmon that isn’t tough or dry – and is BURSTING with lemon garlic flavor! This easy lemon garlic salmon can’t get any simpler when you want a healthy, beautiful dinner in no time – with almost no work.
Even if you don’t have an air fryer you can make this salmon in a snap – I’m providing a super easy foil pack oven option below as well! I hope you love this delicious, naturally low carb and keto salmon recipe as much as I do. It’s a perfect elegant dinner you can make any day of the week, and fits in most diets!
To buy an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot to be able to make this in your instant pot, please buy one with my affiliate code here – Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid.
Check out my web story on this garlic lemon salmon!
How To Air Fry Salmon
To make this salmon, we will use the following process:
- Salmon filets – salmon is perfect for the air fryer, since the high heat hits the
- Olive oil – olive oil adds fat to the salmon and allows it to crisp in the air fryer, so it has a delicious, crunchy outside and tender, juicy center.
- Garlic powder – garlic is a classic addition to salmon, as the pungent flavor enhances the mild, buttery flavor of salmon.
- Celtic sea salt – use a high quality sea salt – I personally love using maldon flakes, for the extra crunch.
- Cracked pepper – use fresh cracked pepper, as the strong, hot, earthy flavor fades quickly as pepper is stored.
- Lemon – lemon juice and slices of lemon help add sweet, bright, acidic flavor to salmon, cutting through the oily meat and fattier texture of the fish.
- Italian herbs – Italian herb seasoning is a blend of marjoram, thyme, basil, sage, and oregano
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:
- Prep. Drizzle olive oil over salmon and season generously. Slice 1/2 lemon into thin rounds, and juice the rest. Drizzle juice over salmon and season generously. Optional: marinate for up to 24 hours.
- Air Fry. Air fry using the table below based on your desired doneness.
- Serve.
Tips and Tricks To Perfect Air Fried Salmon & FAQs
To air fry salmon, I recommend following the tips below:
Don’t skip olive oil. This will help give your salmon a lightly fried texture and allow the oil to crisp on the salmon. Don’t skip the oil!
Arrange lemons to touch salmon while cooking. Lemons break down quickly, dousing your salmon in lemon juice that is sweet and tart, not bitter.
Salmon cook times. For salmon filets (no thicker than 3-4″ across), follow these times for desired doneness when air frying at 400 degrees:
- -10 Minutes for salmon filets that have just a little bit of red in the very center (medium).
- -12 Minutes for salmon with no red in the middle, but still soft.
- -14 Minutes for well done salmon filets.
Make it in the oven. If you think this recipe looks great – but you dont have an air fryer – no worries! You can easily make this recipe in the oven, too. Simply wrap the salmon and lemon in foil, and bake at 375 for 15 minutes, until top is speckled white but albumin (white fat) has not released.
What to Serve With Air Fried Salmon
This salmon is so easy and delicious – it goes with all sorts of side dishes.
We love serving a simple Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad, a Salade de Chèvre Chaud, delicious and super easy Baked Goat Cheese Balls, Roasted Acorn Squash, a Pineapple Strawberry Salsa for a bit of a tangy zip, or even some Easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa for a southwestern flair. Also try the options below:
Quinoa Salad: Quinoa is a great source of protein and fiber, and when mixed with fresh vegetables, it creates a light yet satisfying side that complements the salmon’s richness without overpowering it.
Roasted Asparagus: The natural sweetness of asparagus when roasted, along with a hint of crispiness, pairs beautifully with the tender texture and flavors of lemon garlic salmon.
Steamed Green Beans: Green beans, with their slight crunch and mild flavor, provide a simple yet refreshing contrast to the flavorful salmon, making the meal feel balanced.
Couscous with Lemon Zest: The light and fluffy texture of couscous, enhanced with some fresh lemon zest, can echo the lemony notes in the salmon, tying the dish together harmoniously.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture and garlic flavor of the mashed potatoes complement the garlic notes in the salmon, offering a comforting and hearty side.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, grilled to perfection, add a smoky flavor and a variety of textures that enhance the overall dining experience with the salmon.
Wild Rice: The nutty flavor and chewy texture of wild rice provide a hearty base that contrasts nicely with the delicate flakiness of the salmon. Try this wild rice pilaf!
Try these favorite sides:
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Easy Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 6 oz salmon filets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp celtic sea salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 1 lemon sliced into thin rounds
- 1 tsp lemon juice*
- 2 tsp Italian herbs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, drizzle lemon juice and olive oil over salmon and rub to make sure the salmon filets are evenly coated.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Arrange salmon filets in air fryer basket, making sure they dont touch too much (don”t over crowd the basket, so air can move around salmon easily).
- Arrange lemon slices on and around salmon in air fryer basket.
- Set air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 10 minutes for salmon with a little bit of red in the middle.
- Cook for 12 minutes for salmon with no red in the middle, 14 for well done salmon or thicker salmon filets.
- Serve and enjoy!
I have an air fryer oven. Where do you position the rack to properly cook?
That depends, if your oven has five rack positions, use rack position 3, if your oven has seven rack positions, use rack position 4. Hope that helps!
Great food with less effort…just how cooking should be! Absolutely loved this recipe and will definitely be making again! Also really loved the aluminum foil tip.
Quick and Easy Family Recipes
I tried the LEMON GARLIC SALMON RECIPE, the salmon was amazing, but the lemons made it too lemony for my taste. Very tender salmon. I cooled it for 12 minutes, it was perfect. Besides the lemon. Trying it again without the lemon on top.
I think it’s just great!! Incredible work!!