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Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter – Easy 15-Minute Dinner

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This crispy air fryer salmon with lemon garlic butter delivers a golden, crunchy exterior and tender, flaky interior in under 15 minutes. It’s a quick, easy, and impressive dinner that uses simple ingredients and is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Brush this mixture all over the salmon fillets, including the skin side.
  4. In another small bowl, mash together softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using) until well combined.
  5. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Cook for 6 minutes. Do not open the basket during this time.
  7. Carefully flip the fillets using tongs. Brush a generous amount of the lemon garlic butter onto the flesh side.
  8. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  9. Let the salmon rest in the basket (turned off) for 2 minutes.
  10. Transfer to plates and spoon the remaining lemon garlic butter over the top. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Pat the salmon thoroughly dry to ensure crispiness. Apply the butter halfway through cooking to prevent burning. Let the salmon rest for 2 minutes after cooking to keep it moist. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, lemon garlic butter salmon, quick salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner, healthy salmon, keto salmon, gluten-free salmon

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/crispy-air-fryer-salmon-with-lemon-garlic-butter-easy-15-minute-dinner/