If you’re looking for a fast, flavorful, and healthy fish dinner, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is your answer. This recipe combines sweet honey, savory soy sauce, fresh garlic, and a touch of olive oil to create a perfectly balanced marinade. Cooked in the air fryer, this salmon comes out tender, juicy, and flaky, with a delicious caramelized coating thanks to the honey-garlic blend.
Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight meal or a light summer dinner, this salmon will impress with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Plus, thanks to the air fryer, you can have it on the table in under 15 minutes with barely any cleanup!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Quick & easy: dinner ready in under 15 minutes
- Minimal cleanup: no sticky pans, no greasy stovetop
- Perfectly cooked: air fryer locks in moisture while crisping the edges
- Healthier: uses less oil compared to pan-frying
- Crowd-pleasing: sweet, savory, and garlicky flavor that everyone loves
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 2 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus oil spray for the basket
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional garnishes:
- Lemon slices
- Fresh chopped parsley or dill
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, finely chopped garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This marinade brings a beautiful sweet-savory balance that pairs perfectly with rich, buttery salmon.
Step 2: Marinate the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Brush the marinade generously over both sides of the salmon fillets, ensuring they are fully coated.
If you have time, cover the salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in, but even a quick marinade will be delicious.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and preheat for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Air Fry the Salmon
Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side down if you left the skin on. Leave a bit of space between each piece for proper air circulation.
Cook for 5 minutes. Open the basket, brush the fillets with any remaining marinade, and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
Note: Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon and your air fryer model, so check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
Step 5: Serve
Transfer the salmon fillets to serving plates while they are still juicy and hot. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill, if desired.
Pair with a simple side of steamed vegetables, a fresh green salad, or fluffy rice for a well-balanced meal.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Choose quality salmon: wild-caught or fresh salmon fillets are best
- Don’t overcrowd: leave space in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking
- Marinate if you can: even 15 minutes helps infuse more flavor
- Use skin-on salmon: it helps hold the fillet together during air frying
- Check doneness early: air fryers cook fast, so keep an eye on your salmon
Why This Recipe Works
Salmon is naturally rich, tender, and full of healthy omega-3 fats, which makes it perfect for air frying. The honey caramelizes slightly in the air fryer, giving the salmon a beautiful golden glaze, while the soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, and garlic brings that familiar aromatic punch.
Air frying locks in the moisture while crisping the edges, giving you restaurant-quality salmon at home with minimal oil. It’s a lighter, healthier way to get delicious results in record time.
Variations
- Spicy honey garlic salmon: add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade
- Maple twist: swap honey for maple syrup for a richer sweetness
- Gluten-free: use tamari instead of soy sauce
- Citrus flavor: add a teaspoon of orange zest to the marinade for a fresh twist
- Herb lovers: sprinkle with dried thyme or oregano before air frying
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Place leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in the air fryer at 300°F for about 3–4 minutes to restore its crispness and moisture. You can also eat leftovers cold on a salad for an easy lunch.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds
- Pair with steamed broccoli or green beans
- Top with a fresh cucumber salad
- Add to a poke bowl for a creative twist
- Use leftovers to make a delicious salmon wrap or sandwich
Perfect for These Occasions
- Weeknight dinners
- Light summer meals
- Meal prep for healthy lunches
- Date night at home
- Dinner parties (the presentation is stunning!)
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is a total game changer — quick, easy, healthy, and loaded with incredible flavor. With a handful of pantry ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can have restaurant-quality salmon on the table in less than 15 minutes.
Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even special occasions, this dish is proof that healthy doesn’t have to mean boring. Give it a try, and you’ll see why air fryer salmon has become a staple in so many kitchens!
The Goods
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
We appreciate you taking the time to rate!
Recipes
- 2 salmon fillets skin-on or skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus oil spray for the basket
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional garnishes:
- Lemon slices
- Fresh chopped parsley or dill
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, finely chopped garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This marinade brings a beautiful sweet-savory balance that pairs perfectly with rich, buttery salmon.
Step 2: Marinate the Salmon
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Brush the marinade generously over both sides of the salmon fillets, ensuring they are fully coated.
- If you have time, cover the salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in, but even a quick marinade will be delicious.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and preheat for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Air Fry the Salmon
- Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin side down if you left the skin on. Leave a bit of space between each piece for proper air circulation.
- Cook for 5 minutes. Open the basket, brush the fillets with any remaining marinade, and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
Note: Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon and your air fryer model, so check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
Step 5: Serve
- Transfer the salmon fillets to serving plates while they are still juicy and hot. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill, if desired.
- Pair with a simple side of steamed vegetables, a fresh green salad, or fluffy rice for a well-balanced meal.
Leave a Reply