Air Fryer Salmon
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: The air fryer cooks salmon quickly while keeping the preparation simple and contained.
- Bright, balanced flavour: Lemon juice cuts through the richness of the salmon, while Dijon adds gentle sharpness and savoury depth.
- Crisp edges, flaky centre: Brushing the fish with oil and mustard helps the surface cook evenly and gives the edges a lightly crisp finish.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve straight away: Salmon is at its best just after cooking, when the centre is still moist and the edges are lightly crisp.
- Thickness matters: Use the shorter cooking time for thinner portions and the longer time for thicker fillets, checking that the centre flakes easily.
Ingredient notes
- Choose even pieces: Salmon portions of similar thickness will cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Fresh herbs work best: Fresh dill gives the cleanest flavour here; parsley is a softer alternative if you prefer a milder herb note.
- Dijon adds structure: Dijon mustard helps the seasoning cling to the fish and brings a sharper finish than a sweeter mustard.
Common mistakes
- Do not crowd the basket: Arrange the salmon in a single layer with space around each piece so the hot air can circulate properly.
- Avoid overcooking: Salmon can dry out quickly once it has flaked, so start checking near the lower end of the cooking time.
- Store promptly: Cool leftovers, then refrigerate in a sealed container and reheat gently until piping hot.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 3 minutes. Pat the salmon dry and cut into 3 equal portions if needed.
- In a bowl, mix the rapeseed oil and Dijon mustard with the fine sea salt and black pepper. Finely chop the fresh dill, then zest and juice the lemon; stir half the dill and half the lemon juice into the mustard mixture.
- Brush the salmon all over with the mustard mixture. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the edges are lightly crisp and the centre flakes easily.
- Spoon any juices from the air fryer basket over the salmon. Finish with the remaining dill and a squeeze of the remaining lemon juice, then serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For even cooking, choose salmon pieces of similar thickness and place them in a single layer with space between.
- If serving vulnerable groups, cook the salmon until it is fully opaque all the way through and flakes easily.
Substitutions
- Replace fresh dill with fresh parsley for a softer, less aniseed-like herb note.
- Replace Dijon mustard with whole-grain mustard for a milder heat and more texture.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 3 to 5 minutes until piping hot, or enjoy cold in flakes with the lemony juices.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 20min (8min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Nordic
-
Allergens:
Fish Mustard
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Albóndigas en Salsa de Tomate (Spanish Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)
Spanish beef meatballs simmered in a tomato and onion sauce
Gehaktballen met Jus (Dutch Meatballs with Gravy)
Minced beef meatballs with simple mustard pan gravy
Solomillo al Pedro Ximénez (Pork Tenderloin in Pedro Ximénez Sauce)
Seared pork tenderloin finished in a glossy Pedro Ximénez sauce
Brandade de Morue Nîmoise (Salt Cod and Olive Oil Purée)
Salt cod and potato purée with olive oil and garlic
Air Fryer Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Yoghurt-marinated chicken cooked in the air fryer until charred.
Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breast
Air-fried chicken breast marinated with soy, lemon, garlic and honey.
Chicken Cacciatore with Red Peppers
Chicken thighs braised with tomatoes, red peppers, herbs and olives
Choucroute Garnie (Alsatian Braised Sauerkraut with Pork and Sausages)
Braised sauerkraut with pork belly, sausages, potatoes and mustard
Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
Crisp crab cakes served with Dijon and caper remoulade
Sopa Azteca (Tortilla Soup with Chipotle and Avocado)
Tomato and chipotle tortilla soup topped with avocado and lime
Agnello al Forno (Roast Lamb with Potatoes and Rosemary)
Roast lamb with potatoes, garlic and rosemary
Vietnamese-French Lemongrass Chicken Baguette
Lemongrass chicken baguette with pickled carrot, daikon and cucumber
Dill Pesto Salmon (Nordic-Style Baked Salmon)
Baked salmon topped with dill pesto and toasted pumpkin seeds
Dutch Salmon Bowl with Baby Potatoes, Cucumber and Mustard Dressing
Salmon bowl with baby potatoes and mustard yoghurt
Nordic Glazed Salmon with Mustard, Honey and Dill
Baked salmon with honey mustard and dill glaze
Modern Salmon Potato Cakes
Crisp salmon and potato cakes with lemon
Saumon en Croûte (Salmon Wellington with Spinach)
Salmon Wellington with spinach and crème fraîche in puff pastry
Norwegian Baked Salmon with Dill and Mustard Sauce
Baked salmon with mustard, dill and lemon
You might also like
Bún Chả (Grilled Pork with Rice Vermicelli)
Grilled pork with rice vermicelli, herbs and dipping sauce
Sole Meunière (Butter-Fried Sole with Lemon and Parsley)
Butter-fried sole with lemon and parsley sauce
Focaccia Barese with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Olive oil focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes and olives
Mexican Lentil Bowl with Rice, Salsa and Avocado
Lentil and rice bowl with salsa, avocado and lime dressing
Saltfish Fritters (Salted Cod Fritters)
Crisp fritters made with salted cod, spring onion and chilli
Vietnamese Rice Paper Wrap Bowl with Prawns
Rice paper and vermicelli bowl with prawns and herbs
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
