Breaded Salmon Air Fryer Recipe (2024)

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If you’ve never tried a breaded salmon air fryer, now is the time! Encased in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, the flesh is wonderfully soft and flaky, and it practically melts in your mouth.

Coated in a layer of crisp breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, this breaded salmon air fryer is just as delicious as the deep-fried version but without the extra saturated fat! Ready in under 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick dinner.

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is the best way to make the most of the rich, decadent flavors of the fish. The air fryer works by passing hot air to cook quickly and evenly, conserving moisture and ensuring the flesh is tender while the outside goes gorgeously crispy.

Panko breadcrumbs give this crispy crust on salmon a satisfying crunch, while paprika and garlic compliment the delicate flesh and create a sensational flavor.

Ingredients you’ll need to make breaded salmon

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Salmon filet (skinless). Salmon is an excellent source of Vitamin D and Omega 3, which can help prevent heart disease and may also lower the risk of cancer and depression due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Seasoned breadcrumb. Make the breadcrumbs for the salmon breading by grating or blending bread until it reaches the right consistency and then adding salt and pepper to taste. Use gluten-free bread if you want the recipe to be gluten-free.

Garlic powder and paprika. A warm and earthy combination that adds depth to the rich flavor of the salmon. Onion powder, cumin and cayenne pepper all work well, or you could use lemon juice, parsley and basil for a fresh, herby taste instead.

Eggs. Eggs are a binder, and ensure that the breadcrumb sticks to the salmon filet.

Panko. Panko breadcrumbs are a staple in Japanese cooking. They are lovely for crusty salmon recipes because they are drier and flakier than regular breadcrumbs and absorb less oil, creating a perfect crunch! If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, Kikkoman makes gluten-free panko bread crumbs.

Parmesan cheese. Adds richness to your crust. You can substitute for nutritional yeast flakes if you don’t want to use dairy.

Tools used to make the recipe

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How to cook breaded salmon in an air fryer?

Season Salmon: Pat dry salmon filet with paper towels, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Mix ingredients: In a shallow dish combine the seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder and paprika. In a second dish add the beaten eggs, set a side. In a third shallow dish add the panko and grated parmesan, stir to combine.

Coat salmon: Working one piece at a time dredges both sides of the salmon in the seasoned breadcrumbs mixture. Then lightly dip the salmon into the egg, letting excess drip off. Finally coat both sides of the salmon while pressing into the panko parmesan mixture to coat well. Repeat this step with the remaining pieces.

Air Fry: Place the breaded salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Using the oil sprayer, spritz the salmon and cook to 400ºF for 8 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature reaches 145ºF in the thickest part of the salmon filet. Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer basket and serve. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

If more than one batch is needed place the cooked breaded salmon on a cooling rack to avoid the crust to get saggy.
To avoid overcooking your salmon, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check for a safe internal temperature of 145°F
If you have a mesh air fryer basket and want to avoid sticking, use parchment paper to line the basket. I’ve recommended the best kind to use below.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the air fryer or oven. Check the post for directions on how to.

How long do you air fry breaded salmon?

It takes around 10 minutes (8 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other side) at 400°F to cook breaded salmon in air fryer.

Depending on which model of air fryer you are using and the size of your salmon filets, the time can vary, so always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 145°F before serving.

What is a good side dish with breaded fried salmon?

Air fryer acorn squash is a good side dish with salmon, particularly for the holidays, as it’s slightly sweet and complements the rich, savory flavors of the fish.

Squash is in season in the early fall through winter, meaning it’s usually cheaper and of excellent quality at this time of the year.

Other options are:

How to store air fried salmon

Move any leftover breaded air fryer salmon to the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking as bacteria will grow more quickly at room temperature. Always store in an airtight container or ZipTop bag to ensure freshness.

Salmon will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to three months.

How to reheat salmon

You can reheat this recipe for breaded salmon in the air fryer or the oven.

In the air fryer, preheat to 360°F and then place the salmon in the air fryer basket. Heat for 4 to 5 minutes, and use your meat thermometer to check the temperature. If you are heating from frozen, you will need to allow an additional 5-10 minutes.
When reheating salmon in the oven, it’s best to use a low temperature to avoid drying it out. Preheat your oven to 275°F and then loosely wrap the salmon in foil and place on a baking tray. Heat for around 15 minutes, and use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If your salmon is frozen, you will need to defrost it before reheating it.

How to cook salmon without sticking in the air fryer basket?

If you want to avoid sticking to the basket when making a salmon air fryer, reusable liners are your best bet! You’ll get great results without creating lots of waste.

You can easily place these air fryer liners at the bottom of the air fryer basket, or these liners with raised silicone dots will line your basket and help improve airflow at the same time.

This silicone po t for your air fryer is also a great tool to help avoid sticking and can be easily removed and put in the dishwasher or washed by hand.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Salmon
Salmon Steak in the Air Fryer
Blackened Salmon in Air Fryer
Smoked Salmon Taquitos in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Salmon Cakes

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Air Fryer Breaded Salmon

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients

4 (6 oz) salmon filet, skinless
1 cup seasoned breadcrumb
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup Panko
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Oil Sprayer bottle with olive or avocado oil

Instructions

Pat dry salmon filet with paper towels, season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a shallow dish, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and paprika.
In a second dish, add the beaten eggs, and set aside. In a third shallow dish, add the panko and grated parmesan, and stir to combine.
Working one piece at a time, dredges both sides of the salmon in the seasoned breadcrumbs mixture. Then lightly dip the salmon into the egg, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat both sides of the salmon while pressing it into the panko parmesan mixture to coat well. Repeat this step with the remaining pieces.
Place the breaded salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Using the oil sprayer, spritz the salmon and cook to 400ºF for 8 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other side or until an internal temperature reaches 145ºF in the thickest part of the salmon filet.
Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer basket and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

If more than one batch is needed, place the cooked breaded salmon on a cooling rack to avoid the crust getting soggy.
To avoid overcooking your salmon, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check for a safe internal temperature of 145°F
If you have a mesh air fryer basket and want to avoid sticking, use parchment paper to line the basket. I’ve recommended the best kind to use above.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the air fryer or oven. Check the post for directions on how to.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 370Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 576mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 18g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.