Air Fryer Salmon Fillet Time & Temp Guide (Crispy Edges, Tender Center)
By Airfryer Conversion Chart Culinary Team • Reviewed on 2025-08-15
If you’re after a reliable air fryer salmon fillet time & temperature guide, start with even thickness and a hot basket.
In side-by-side tests on Ninja AF101, Cosori Pro II, Instant Vortex Plus, and Philips Essential, the best balance of crisp edges and tender center landed at 400°F (204°C) with a light oil coat. For a typical 1-inch fillet, expect 10–12 minutes; thin tail pieces finish in 8–10 minutes, while thicker center cuts take 12–14 minutes.
Cooking from frozen works: preheat 3–4 minutes, cook 3 minutes to loosen the surface, separate any stuck portions, then continue with +4–6 minutes total time. Always check doneness in the thickest part; the USDA safe temperature for fish is 145°F (63°C). Visual cues help too—opaque flesh that flakes easily, with occasional white albumin on top near doneness.
For oven recipes, use our oven to air fryer conversion as a starting point: reduce temperature by about 25°F (≈14°C) and time by ~20%, or plug values into the air fryer conversion calculator / air fryer conversion chart for precise air fryer time conversion. Going the other way? Our air fryer to oven conversion (and air fryer to oven calculator) slightly increases temperature and adds time to match oven dynamics.
Flavor notes: Skin-on fillets protect the flesh and crisp beautifully. Brushed glazes like honey-garlic or teriyaki should go on in the final 3–4 minutes to prevent burning.
Pro tip: Tuck the thin tail under itself to create a uniform thickness—your fillet will cook more evenly, and the center stays tender.
Additional Information
Cooking Variants
- • 1-inch fillet: 10–12 min @ 400°F / 204°C
- • Thick center-cut: 12–14 min @ 400°F / 204°C
- • Skinless or thin tail piece: 8–10 min @ 400°F / 204°C
Brand Adjustments
- • ninja: ±0°F, time ×1
- • cosori: -5°F, time ×0.95
- • philips: ±0°F, time ×1.05
- • instant: 5°F, time ×1
Frozen Instructions
Cook from frozen: add 4–6 minutes; preheat 3–4 min and separate any stuck portions after 3 min of cooking.
Sauce Cautions
- • Sweet glazes (honey, maple, teriyaki) can darken above 390°F; glaze during last 3–4 minutes.
- • Garlic and herb rubs crisp nicely; avoid thick mayo coats until final minutes.
Visual Doneness
- • Flesh turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- • Albumin (white beads) may appear on top when near doneness.
- • USDA safe temp for fish is 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part.
Troubleshooting
- • Dry or chalky? Reduce temp by 10°F and pull 1–2 minutes earlier; rest 2 minutes.
- • Soggy skin? Pat fillets dry, preheat basket, and cook skin-side down first.
- • Uneven thickness? Tuck thin tail under itself to even thickness.
Leftovers
Store up to 2 days. Reheat at 325°F (163°C) for 3–4 min in air fryer, or flake cold into salads to avoid overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to cook salmon in the air fryer?
Most 1-inch fillets take 10–12 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Thin tail pieces may be done in 8–10 minutes; thicker center cuts need 12–14 minutes.
What temperature is best for air fryer salmon?
400°F (204°C) crisps the exterior while keeping the center tender. Check doneness in the thickest part.
Can I cook salmon from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes—add 4–6 minutes. Preheat first, then separate any stuck portions after ~3 minutes and continue cooking.
Skin-on or skinless—does it matter?
Skin-on helps protect the flesh and crisps nicely. Cook skin-side down first; remove skin after cooking if preferred.
How do I keep salmon juicy in the air fryer?
Pat dry, light oil, avoid overcooking, and rest 2 minutes. Sauces or glazes should be added in the last few minutes.
How do I convert oven salmon recipes to the air fryer?
Use our oven to air fryer conversion: reduce oven temp by ~25°F and time by ~20%, or use the air fryer conversion chart/calculator for precise time conversion.
How do I convert air fryer time to oven for salmon?
Use our air fryer to oven conversion (and calculator): increase temp slightly and add ~20% time as a baseline, then check early.
