Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon

Total Time: 20 Mins | Servings: 4 | Calories per Serving: 330

This Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Fresh salmon fillets are brushed with melted garlic-ginger butter, seasoned with a smoky seafood rub, brightened with fresh lemon, and air-fried to perfection in under 15 minutes. It’s a fast, flavorful, protein-packed dinner that tastes like a restaurant meal but comes together with almost no effort.

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INGREDIENTS

2 lbs salmon fillets, cut into 4–6 pieces
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (melted)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tsp fresh ginger (minced)
2 tsp seafood seasoning (like Salmon Rub — smoked paprika, brown sugar, thyme)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Juice from 1/2 lemon, plus extra lemon slices for serving
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1. Prep the Salmon
Cut salmon into even fillets and pat dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and helps the salmon crisp slightly in the air fryer.

STEP 2. Make the Garlic-Ginger Butter
In a small bowl, combine: Melted 1/2 stick butter, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Brush this mixture generously over the tops and sides of each fillet.

STEP 3. Season the Fillets
Sprinkle fillets evenly with: 2 tsp seafood seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Squeeze the juice from 1/2 a lemon directly over the seasoned fillets. Optionally lay thin lemon slices on top of each fillet before cooking for extra citrus aroma.

STEP 4. Air Fry
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Add salmon fillets skin-side down in a single layer. Cook for 10-14 minutes depending on thickness. Salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach 125–130°F for medium.

STEP 5. Finish & Serve
Remove salmon from air fryer. Top with fresh parsley and extra lemon slices, and serve with rice, broccoli, arugula salad, or your favorite side dish. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

330 calories | 34g protein | 2g carbs |1g fat