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Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe with Lemon Dill Butter in 12 Minutes Easy

crispy air fryer salmon - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy skin salmon cooked in an air fryer, topped with a bright and flavorful lemon dill butter. Ready in just 12 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Zest of half a lemon
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush the skin side with olive oil and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Stir until smooth and set aside.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 2 minutes.
  4. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork but remains moist inside. Do not flip the fillets.
  5. Transfer the salmon to plates and dollop the lemon dill butter over the top while the fish is hot, allowing it to melt into the salmon.

Notes

Pat salmon skin completely dry before cooking to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Avoid flipping the salmon to preserve crispy skin. Softened butter blends best for the lemon dill butter sauce. If salmon is thick, add 1-2 minutes cooking time but watch closely to avoid dryness. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to restore texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, lemon dill butter, quick salmon recipe, healthy dinner, easy salmon, weeknight meal