Crispy Air Fryer Salmon (Printable)

Quick crispy salmon with tender asparagus cooked effortlessly in an air fryer for a wholesome dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

01 - 2 skin-on salmon fillets, approx. 5.3 oz each, pin bones removed

02 - 8.8 oz asparagus spears, trimmed

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

04 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced

05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

10 - Lemon wedges, for serving

11 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)

01 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and dill.

02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with the marinade, reserving 1 tablespoon for asparagus.

03 - Toss trimmed asparagus spears in the reserved marinade until evenly coated.

04 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.

05 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket with space between them. Arrange asparagus around the salmon.

06 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 125–130°F and asparagus is tender with slight crispness.

07 - Serve immediately garnished with lemon wedges and optional fresh herbs.

01 -

The salmon skin gets impossibly crispy while the flesh stays buttery and moist—no dry fish nightmares here.
Everything cooks in one basket, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor without the stovetop chaos.
Ready in 22 minutes, which means you can actually cook dinner on a weeknight without ordering takeout.

02 -

Don't skip patting the salmon dry—moisture is the enemy of crispy skin, and this one step changes the entire texture of your dish.
Preheating your air fryer matters far more than you'd think; it's the difference between skin that shatters when you bite it and skin that's merely cooked through.
If your salmon is thicker than average, add a minute or two to the cooking time, but watch it carefully because the line between perfectly cooked and overdone is narrow and quick.

03 -

For extra insurance on crispiness, give the salmon skin a light spray of oil just before the air fryer basket closes—it sounds fussy but it genuinely makes a difference.
If your air fryer runs particularly hot, start checking the salmon at the 9-minute mark; every machine has its own personality, and knowing yours is half the battle.