Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe

Introduction

This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon recipe is a quick and flavorful way to enjoy tender, juicy salmon with a sweet and savory glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires minimal prep and cooks in minutes, delivering delicious results every time.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Salmon fillet, skin on or off
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Garlic, minced (about 4-6 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced (about 1 inch piece)
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Green Onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. If using a thick fillet, cut it into smaller, even portions for even cooking.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
5. Step 5: Generously brush the salmon with the honey garlic sauce on both sides.
6. Step 6: Air fry the salmon for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Thinner fillets will require less time. If the sauce darkens too quickly, reduce the temperature or add a tablespoon or two of water to the air fryer basket.
7. Step 7: For extra crispy skin on skin-on salmon, broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
8. Step 8: Remove the salmon from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate.
9. Step 9: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately with rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the glaze.
• For a spicy kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a bit more cornstarch with water and add it near the end of cooking for extra glaze.
• Salmon skin crisps best when cooked skin side down first; avoid flipping too early to achieve a crisp texture.

Storage

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispness and avoid drying out. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but it’s best to thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before cooking to ensure even cooking and proper sauce adherence.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake the salmon in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, brushing with the honey garlic sauce halfway through. Cooking times may vary depending on thickness.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 119 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon recipe is a simple, quick, and flavorful way to enjoy perfectly cooked salmon with a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. Using an air fryer ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the salmon moist and tender inside. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish pairs wonderfully with rice or vegetables for a healthy and delicious meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Salmon

• 1.5 lbs Salmon fillet, skin on or off

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Garlic, minced (about 4–6 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced (about 1 inch piece)
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

For Garnish

• 2 tablespoons Green Onions, thinly sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillet dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture which helps in crisping. If your fillet is thick, cut it into smaller, evenly sized portions for uniform cooking.
2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. This creates a flavorful honey garlic glaze to coat the salmon.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready to cook the salmon properly.
4. Arrange the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are spaced out and not overcrowded to allow air circulation and even cooking.
5. Brush the Sauce: Generously brush the salmon on both sides with the prepared honey garlic sauce for maximum flavor and glaze coverage.
6. Air Fry the Salmon: Cook the salmon in the air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping it halfway through cooking to ensure even doneness. Check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). If the sauce starts to darken too quickly, reduce the temperature or add a tablespoon or two of water to the air fryer basket to prevent burning.
7. Optional Broil for Crispy Skin: For skin-on salmon, you can broil the fillets for the last 1-2 minutes to achieve extra crispy skin; watch carefully to avoid burning.
8. Serve: Remove the cooked salmon from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate.
9. Garnish: Sprinkle thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the salmon for added flavor and presentation.
10. Enjoy: Serve immediately alongside rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.

Notes

• Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and avoid an overly salty sauce.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of honey slightly.
• Adjust cooking time depending on the thickness of salmon fillets; thinner fillets require less time.
• To keep the sauce from burning, consider lowering the air fryer temperature or adding water to the basket during cooking.
• For extra flavor, marinate the salmon for 30 minutes before cooking.
• This recipe works well with salmon fillets both with skin on or off; the broiling step is recommended only for skin-on fillets.
• Serve with your favorite sides for a complete, nutritious meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Keywords: air fryer salmon, honey garlic salmon, quick salmon recipe, healthy salmon, simple salmon recipe, air fryer dinner, salmon with sauce, honey garlic glaze, Asian salmon