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Crispy Air Fryer Salmon: Best 5-Min Lemon Garlic Butter

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This crispy air fryer salmon with lemon garlic butter is a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner. The air fryer ensures the skin gets shatteringly crisp while the inside remains tender and moist, coated in a bright, tangy lemon garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 4 salmon fillets (skin-on, approx. 6 oz each)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large fresh lemon (zest and juice)
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine (optional)
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and optional white wine until smooth.
  4. Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Spoon the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
  5. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Check at the 6-minute mark; the butter should be bubbling and edges opaque. Adjust time based on thickness.
  6. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  7. Remove salmon from air fryer and let rest for 1-2 minutes.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

[‘Patting the salmon dry is crucial for crispiness; moisture causes steaming instead of searing.’, ‘Do not flip the salmon during cooking to prevent breaking the delicate flesh.’, ‘Let salmon sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking for even results.’, ‘Mixing butter with olive oil prevents the butter from burning at high temperatures.’, ‘Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation.’, ‘Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, lemon garlic butter salmon, crispy salmon, quick dinner, healthy seafood, gluten-free recipe, weeknight meals

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-salmon-best-5-min-lemon-garlic-butter/