Air Fryer Salmon Recipe (Easy, High Protein, 10 Minutes)

This air fryer salmon recipe is one of the easiest high protein dinners you can make in the air fryer! All you need is a salmon fillet, your favorite rub, and just 10 minutes! No oil needed, no complicated prep, and it makes perfectly flaky salmon with a lightly seasoned crust every time. Salmon is naturally high in protein and healthy fats, making it one of the best sources to build a satisfying, calorie-aware dinner around. Perfect for making just for yourself or the whole family will love.

An easy high protein hack for me is that I keep frozen salmon fillets stocked in my freezer year-round. One thing about them is that they thaw quickly, cook fast, and fit into almost any meal plan. Perfect if you’re tracking macros, counting calories or Weight Watchers points, or just trying to eat more protein. Salmon is one of those proteins that works equally well for a quick weeknight dinner or a nicer weekend meal. Pair it with quinoa or rice and asparagus as I do, and you’ve got a complete, balanced plate in under 20 minutes.

A Note From Jenny

When starting any healthy lifestyle, consult a doctor to address any personal health concerns. Some things can only be addressed medically and by a professional. Blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and hormones checked at a physical before starting and at least once a year, as these all can affect an active lifestyle.

With so many different programs, such as Weight Watchers, Keto, and macros, it can be hard to know what to pick. (If you’re interested in Weight Watchers, you can sign up -> here and sign up for $10/month for 10 months.)

I personally use the app Myfitnesspal to track my food.  I use macros and focus on High Protein (calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and rotate through cuts and maintenance calories. (Use a calculator like this -> here)  . I did WW for years, but now that I am more maintenance, with cuts throughout the year, and focusing on mobility with strength training. There is no right or wrong answer, as all bodies are different.

Air Fryer Salmon Ingredients

• Salmon Fillet
• Salmon Rub– You can do a homemade rub, but let’s face it, this is a fast and easy recipe. I used Trader Joe’s new salmon rub, and it was amazing! There were hints of smoke in it but not overwhelming.

What Type Of Salmon to USe

I like to buy frozen filets of salmon; they are easy to keep in the freezer, and I can pull one at a time to defrost. I like to buy mine from Omaha Steaks, Trader Joes, and Amazon.

You can buy fresh Salmon Fillets at the grocery store or catch your own during the season.

How To Make Salmon In Air Fryer

Make this recipe with fresh or thawed salmon, and leave the skin on the fillet.

Spray the air fryer basket or racks with a nonstick spray.

Lay the salmon fillet or salmon fillets on the basket or the rack, skin side down.

Sprinkle with your seasonings, then set your air fryer to the fish setting or 400 degrees. You can do this seasoning as light or as heavy as you want, depending on personal preference.

Allow the fish to cook for 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Your air fryer will have buttons if it has a fish cooking setting. If not, you can do a temperature setting.

Now I made this using the Dreo Chefmaker (don’t worry, it’s on Amazon here as well as on their site), and the fish cooking program, which took all the guesswork out of the cooking time, and the humidity control made for a flaky, perfect consistency. You can see it on their site -> here or on Amazon -> here.

Salmon is fully cooked at 145 degrees. If your air fryer does not have a built-in probe use a food thermometer to temperature check the fish to ensure it is done.

Remove and serve!

Weight Watchers Points For Salmon

Salmon is one of those foods that are zero-point foods. (see more in my Zero Point Food Guide) Because I used no oil and a zero-point seasoning, the Weight Watchers Salmon Points are zero.

Macros For Air Fryer Salmon

For a 4 ounce fillet of salmon, the macros are 170 calories, 0 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fat, and 26 grams of protein.

How To Make Frozen salmon in air fryer

You will defrost the salmon by cooking the frozen fillet at 390 for 5-7 minutes. Then open the air fryer and season, then allow to cook for the fish setting or 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Tips For Cooking Salmon In Air Fryer

Spraying either the rack or the air fryer basket will help make the fillet easy to remove from the air fryer.

Store the salmon fillet in the fridge before moving directly into the air fryer to season and cook.

Seasonings and Rubs to use When Air Frying Salmon

• Ground Black Pepper
• Brown Sugar– A homemade brown sugar rub is amazing! This one -> here is one of my favorites. Using sugar in a rub will add points to the salmon.
• Fresh Herbs
• Soy Sauce
• Lemon
• Dill– Combining fresh dill with other seasonings is a fantastic way to flavor salmon. This rub-> here is delicious.
• Olive Oil– Using any oil may add some points, you may need to recalculate how much oil you add for the servings you plan to get.
• Garlic Powder
• Glaze– Making a glazed salmon may also affect the point value, so use your recipe builder to verify the points.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Salmon

There is no wrong choice of a side dish! I had cheese on my asparagus since the salmon was zero points; so good! The sky is the limit!

• Air fryer Asparagus
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• White Rice
• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Crockpot Quinoa

Other Salmon Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Soy Glaze
• Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe
• Everything Bagel Air Fryer Salmon
• Brown Sugar Garlic Air Fryer Salmon

What are your go-to Weight Watchers Air Fryer Dinners