Free Reference · Updated 2026

Air Fryer Salmon: Exact Time & Temp

Fresh, frozen and skin-on fillets — with the doneness temps that actually matter.

The short answer: 390 °F (200 °C) for 8–10 minutes, skin-side down, no flip. It's done when the thickest part reads 145 °F (63 °C) — or 125 °F (52 °C) if you like it medium and silky.

Times by cut & starting point

SalmonTempTime
Fresh fillet, 1 inch (150–180 g)390° (200°)8–10 min
Fresh fillet, thin tail piece390° (200°)6–7 min
Skin-on fillet390° (200°)9–11 min, skin down
Frozen fillet (no thawing)390° (200°)12–15 min
Salmon bites (1-inch cubes)400° (205°)6–8 min, shake once
Salmon burgers (fresh)380° (195°)10–12 min, flip once

🌡 Pull at 140 °F (60 °C) and rest 3 minutes — carryover heat finishes it at 145 °F without drying the edges.

The 3 mistakes that dry salmon out

1. Flipping it. Salmon is one of the few foods you never flip in an air fryer. The circulating air cooks the top; flipping just breaks the fillet.

2. Skipping the oil mist. A light, even mist keeps the surface from parching before the inside cooks. A drizzle pools; a mist coats.

3. Trusting the clock over the thermometer. Fillets vary wildly in thickness. Check 2 minutes early the first time in your fryer.

Cooking frozen salmon

No need to thaw. Run 4 minutes at 390 °F to defrost the surface, then season (seasoning slides off ice), then finish the remaining 8–11 minutes. Glazes go on in the last 3 minutes so the sugars don't burn.

Sticky glaze, clean basket. Teriyaki and honey-garlic salmon are what silicone liners were made for — the Air Fryer Essentials Kit has 2 reusable liners, a 90-food magnetic times chart, and a mist-control oil sprayer.

Get the kit — $34.99 →

More air fryer guides

The full 90-food times chart · Chicken breast · Chicken wings · Frozen fries · Bacon