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Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Butter

air fryer salmon with lemon butter - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe for crispy skin salmon cooked in an air fryer, topped with a bright and rich lemon butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 oz (170 g) each
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) salt
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or dill, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the lemon butter sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk together until smooth and set aside.
  2. Season the salmon: Pat dry 2 skin-on salmon fillets with paper towels. Lightly brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper evenly over the fillets.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  4. Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 7–9 minutes depending on thickness until salmon flakes easily with a fork and skin is crispy. Avoid flipping.
  5. Check doneness by testing if salmon flakes easily; cook an additional 1–2 minutes if needed, watching carefully to avoid overcooking.
  6. Remove salmon carefully with tongs or spatula. Immediately spoon the lemon butter sauce over each fillet while hot.
  7. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or dill if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat salmon dry to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to avoid steaming. Use skin-on fillets for best texture. Preheat air fryer for crispy exterior. Add lemon butter sauce immediately after cooking to melt and infuse flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based butter or extra olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, lemon butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick salmon, healthy salmon, crispy salmon skin, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/air-fryer-salmon-with-lemon-butter-easy-perfect-recipe-for-beginners/