The Story & Intro
If there’s one dish that instantly transports me back to my tiny Paris apartment kitchen — the one with the temperamental stovetop and the window that opened to the smell of fresh baguettes from the bakery downstairs — it’s air-fryer garlic butter salmon.
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
The first time I made salmon in an air fryer, I remember thinking, “Mon dieu… where has this been all my life?” Crisp edges, buttery flakes, and all ready in under 12 minutes? It felt like culinary magic. And when I brushed the top with melted garlic butter a little French flair, of course I swear I heard angels sing.
This air-fryer garlic butter salmon has become one of my weeknight heroes. When I’m short on time but still craving something elegant, nourishing, and just a tad indulgent, this is the dish I turn to. It’s juicy, flavorful, and makes me feel like I’m serving a restaurant-worthy dinner with almost no effort. And yes, the air fryer does all the heavy lifting… while I sip a little glass of white wine.
Today, I’m sharing my perfected version of this recipe filled with buttery richness, zesty lemon, and herbs that perfume your whole kitchen. If you’re ready for a fast, fabulous dinner that tastes like a warm culinary hug, let’s get cooking! 💛🐟
And don’t worry I’ll sprinkle the keyword air-fryer garlic butter salmon a few times so your tastebuds (and search engines 😉) know they’re in the right place. Whether you’re a seafood lover, meal-prepping queen, or air-fryer newbie, this air-fryer garlic butter salmon is about to become your new obsession.
Let’s begin, mes amis!
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 10–12 minutes
- Total: 15–17 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s everything you need for the dreamiest air-fryer garlic butter salmon:
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin on or off)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but delicious)
- Lemon slices for topping (optional)
For the Garlic Butter:
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a tiny kick)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F. Preheating ensures your air-fryer garlic butter salmon cooks evenly and gets that perfect lightly crisp top.
2. Prepare the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps the seasonings stick and keeps the texture light and flaky.
Drizzle each piece with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Rub gently to coat.
3. Mix the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, zest, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
It should smell heavenly bright, garlicky, and rich.
4. Brush the Salmon
Brush half of the garlic butter over the fillets. Save the rest for after cooking to give the salmon that glossy finish.
5. Air Fry
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin side down if using skin-on.
Cook for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness.
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches about 125–130°F internally for medium.
6. Finish with Butter
Brush the warm salmon with the remaining garlic butter. Add lemon slices if you like an extra citrusy burst.
7. Serve Hot
Plate immediately so the butter melts into every little crevice. ✨
Serving Suggestions
This air-fryer garlic butter salmon plays well with SO many sides. Try:
- Roasted asparagus tossed in olive oil & sea salt
- Garlic mashed potatoes (yes, extra garlic = extra joy)
- Steamed jasmine rice with a squeeze of lemon
- Quinoa salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes & fresh herbs
- Lemon butter pasta for a restaurant-style pairing
For a light lunch, I adore serving it over a big green salad with crunchy cucumbers, radishes, and a lemon vinaigrette.
And if you’re feeling très fancy?
Pair with a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc. 🍷
📝 Notes
- Skin-on salmon works best because it naturally protects the fillet from over-drying.
- If your fillets are uneven thickness, check them early to avoid overcooking.
- Want crispier edges? Cook 1–2 minutes longer.
- You can swap parsley for dill, thyme, or basil.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the air fryer at 325°F for 3–4 minutes.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving)
Approximate values (based on a 6 oz salmon fillet):
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fat: 29g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
📖 Recipe Card
Air-Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon
Prep Time: 5 min ⏱️
Cook Time: 10–12 min 🔥
Total Time: 15–17 min 🍽️
Servings: 4
🛒 Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Lemon slices
Garlic Butter:
- 4 tbsp butter (melted)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat salmon dry; season with oil, salt, pepper, paprika.
- Mix garlic butter ingredients.
- Brush salmon with half the butter.
- Air fry 8–12 minutes.
- Brush with remaining butter.
- Serve warm with lemon.
📝 Notes
- Add fresh herbs for extra flavor.
- Thicker fillets may need more time.
- Avoid overcooking for best texture.
Conclusion
There you have it, my friends a warm, buttery, elegant plate of air-fryer garlic butter salmon that comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent hours crafting it with love. Recipes like this remind me why I adore cooking: simple ingredients, big flavors, and a moment of joy at the dinner table.
From my French-American kitchen to yours, bon appétit… and may your air fryer bring you many more delicious adventures! 💛🇫🇷🇺🇸