Imagine a restaurant-quality seafood dish that's crispy, perfectly seasoned, and ready in just 15 minutes - without ever stepping foot outside your kitchen! This Air Fryer Blackened Salmon is about to revolutionize your dinner game, delivering restaurant-worthy flavor with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or just someone who loves incredible meals without complicated cooking techniques, this recipe is your ticket to an extraordinary dining experience.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Remove salmon fillets from refrigerator and pat dry completely with paper towels to ensure crispy exterior.
- Brush each salmon fillet evenly with olive oil, ensuring full surface coverage to help seasoning adhere and promote even browning.
- Generously sprinkle blackening seasoning over both sides of salmon fillets, pressing gently to help seasoning stick and create a uniform coating.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for approximately 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
- Lightly spray or brush air fryer basket with additional olive oil to prevent salmon from sticking.
- Place seasoned salmon fillets in air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other for even heat circulation.
- Cook salmon for 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness, until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Carefully remove salmon from air fryer using a spatula, and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the blackened salmon.
Tips
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, beautifully caramelized exterior.
- Use fresh, high-quality blackening seasoning for the most robust flavor profile.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - give each fillet space for even cooking and crispy edges.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check internal temperature and prevent overcooking.
- Let salmon rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Choose salmon fillets of similar thickness for consistent cooking results.
- If your salmon is skin-on, you can cook it with the skin for extra flavor, but ensure it's scaled and cleaned thoroughly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 34g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 85mg
