Restaurant-Style Air Fryer Salmon with Creamy Lemon-Dill Sauce

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential nutrients. However, getting that perfect crispy skin and flaky interior on a skillet can be tricky. Enter the air fryer: it cooks crispy-edged, flaky salmon in just 10 minutes. Paired with a cool, creamy lemon-dill sauce, this dish feels fancy but requires almost zero effort.

Why Air Fryer Salmon is the Best

• Fast & Fail-Proof: No flipping required, and it cooks in under 10 minutes.
• Crispy Exterior, Flaky Center: The circulating air cooks the fish evenly without drying it out.
• Amazing Sauce: The homemade lemon-dill sauce cuts through the rich flavor of the salmon beautifully.

Ingredients Breakdown

• Salmon Fillets (2 fillets): About 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless.
• Olive Oil (1 tsp): To rub on the salmon.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: For seasoning.
• For the Lemon-Dill Sauce: 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt), 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped), 1 tbsp lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.

Cooking Steps

1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the fillets dry. Rub with olive oil and season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Air Fry: Place the salmon skin-side down in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
3. Make the Sauce: While the salmon cooks, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl.
4. Check Doneness: The salmon should easily flake with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
5. Drizzle and Serve: Spoon the lemon-dill sauce over the hot salmon and serve with fresh lemon wedges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I leave the skin on? Yes, cooking skin-on salmon helps protect the delicate flesh from drying out. The skin will also crisp up beautifully in the air fryer!

Can I use frozen salmon? You can, but make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator beforehand and pat dry to ensure crispiness.