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Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Butter: Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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This crispy air fryer salmon with lemon butter is a quick and easy 15-minute recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior coated in a bright, buttery lemon sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)
  • Fresh herbs like dill or thyme (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Remove any small bones. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil and rub in evenly.
  3. Place the seasoned salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on fillets. Ensure they are not touching each other.
  4. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 7-9 minutes, depending on thickness (8 minutes for 1-inch thick fillets). Do not flip. Salmon is done when internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) or flakes easily with a fork.
  5. While the salmon cooks, make the lemon butter sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt to taste.
  6. Remove salmon from air fryer with tongs. Let rest for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle lemon butter sauce generously over the top or serve on the side. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the salmon completely dry for maximum crispiness. Do not flip the salmon during cooking. Let the salmon rest for 1-2 minutes after cooking. Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. For extra crispy skin, increase temperature to 425°F for the last minute. Leftover salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, lemon butter salmon, quick salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner, 15-minute meal, healthy salmon, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/crispy-air-fryer-salmon-with-lemon-butter-easy-15-minute-recipe/