Straight from Skinnytaste's new cookbook, this Blackened Air Fryer Salmon recipe, topped off with a fresh cucumber-avocado salsa, has the perfect texture & just the right amount of heat.
This Blackened Air Fryer Salmon recipe is a new weeknight favorite around here! An Air Fryer, you say? Not another appliance. Believe me, I get it. When I first bought my Instant Pot, I swore that it would be the last large kitchen appliance I bought and even reprimanded myself for adding another appliance to my collection. That is, until I started using it at least a couple of times per week for Instant Pot soups, stews and other dishes.
But then the Air Fryers starting showing up on the scene. I shielded my eyes and pretended I didn't see the gorgeously crisp fries, chicken and churros coming out of my fellow bloggers' kitchens, using only the tiniest amounts of oil. Well, fast forward a year and consider me smitten. This machine is magic!
My friend Gina of the popular blog, Skinnytaste, has come out with a new cookbook - The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook . The cookbook is filled with gorgeous photos and, most importantly, 75 healthy recipes that are doable for even the most novice air frying cook. It has everything from breakfast dishes (homemade bagels, anyone?) to entrées (Parmesan-Crusted Turkey Cutlets are next on my list) and desserts (I have my eye on the Baked Streusel Apples).
What you need for this air fryer salmon recipe
These are the main components for this recipe...
- Salmon: You will need about 1 ½ pounds of salmon fillets, but into four pieces. Whenever possible, I buy wild salmon fillets - around here, that's usually sockeye or coho salmon. Keep the skin on while cooking the salmon, then just cut the meat off of the skin while eating and set the skin aside.
- Spices: The rub for the blackened salmon is a mixture of sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, kosher salt and ground pepper.
- Olive oil spray: Lightly spray the salmon all over with the olive oil spray before rubbing on the spice mixture.
- Salsa ingredients: This simple salsa is a combination of avocado, Persian (mini) cucumbers, red onion, fresh lemon juice (lime juice or even white wine vinegar can be used in a pinch), extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. My friendly neighborhood Trader Joe's carries Persian cucumbers, but if you aren't able to put your hands on some, use English cucumbers instead. Don't peel them before dicing.
What to serve with blackened salmon
This is a really versatile recipe and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Grains: Cilantro brown rice or Quinoa, Avocado & Blueberry Salad
- Potatoes: Boiled Cilantro Lime Potatoes, Coconut Ginger Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Fries (these fries could be made in the air fryer, too).
- Salads: Black Bean & Corn Salad (one of my favorite sides for this salmon), Mediterranean Grated Cauliflower Salad or a simple green salad.
Printable Recipe
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Blackened Air Fryer Salmon with Cucumber-Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
The salmon:
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- 4 (6 oz each) wild salmon fillets
The salsa:
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 Persian (mini) cucumbers* diced
- 6 ounces Hass avocado (1 large) diced
Instructions
The salmon:
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt and black pepper.
- Spray both sides fo the fish with oil and rub all over. Coat the fish all over with the spices.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Working in batches, arrange the salmon fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket.
- Cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. (For a toaster oven-style air fryer, the temperature and timing remain the same.)
- Serve topped with the salsa.
The salsa:
- In a medium bowl, combine the red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Let stand for 5 minutes, then add the cucumbers and avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Wendy Davis
My husband was in Heaven! So easy so GOOD!
Sheena
Delicious!!! Especially the salsa.
Dara
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sheena!
Debbie
I cooked just the salmon last night because I didn't have the ingredients to make the salsa, it was delicious. Just the right amount of spice for me. As far as easy recipes, it doesn't get any easier that this. Today I made a grocery run to get ingredients for the salsa and another serving of salmon. Well let me tell you the salsa was way better than I ever imagined. I followed both recipes as written and they were both sooo delicious and super easy to make. This will be a meal I will be having often! Thank you so much for sharing!