Okay, let me tell you about my absolute go-to weeknight lifesaver: Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon! Seriously, if you’re wrestling with the age-old question of “What’s for dinner?” after a long day, this recipe is your answer. It’s one of those magical dishes that looks fancy and tastes like you spent ages in the kitchen, but in reality, it’s ridiculously fast and incredibly easy, all thanks to my trusty air fryer. I remember the first time I made this Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon; my kids, who can be super picky, were actually asking for seconds! The salmon comes out perfectly flaky and moist with this incredible sweet and savory glaze that just coats everything. It’s healthy, it’s quick, and it’s seriously delicious – what more could you ask for?
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Honey Salmon
Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer! You’re going to fall in love with it because:
- It’s SO Fast: We’re talking about a total time of about 15 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those super busy weeknights!
- Crazy Easy: If you can whisk together a few ingredients and press a button, you can make this salmon. No fancy techniques needed!
- Healthy & Delicious: Packed with protein and good fats, plus that sweet and savory glaze makes it taste like a treat. Way better than greasy takeout!
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer does most of the work, and you’ll only have a bowl and maybe your salmon fillets to wash. Easy peasy!
Ingredients for Your Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this super simple but oh-so-tasty dish. It really doesn’t take much, which is part of what makes it so perfect for any night of the week!
- About 1 pound of salmon fillets – I usually go for skin-on because it helps keep them moist, but either works great!
- 2 tablespoons of honey – this is our sweet star!
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce – for that addictive salty-sweet kick. You can use tamari if you need it gluten-free!
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil – just a little bit to help everything meld together.
- 1 clove of garlic, minced – fresh garlic is best here for maximum punch!
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper – freshly ground is always my favorite.
- Optional: Some lemon wedges for serving – a little squeeze of fresh lemon brightens it up beautifully!
How to Make Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon: Step-by-Step
Making this delicious salmon is honestly a breeze! You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up something so flavorful. Just follow these super simple steps and you’ll have a perfect dinner on the table in no time.
Preheating and Glaze Preparation
First things first, let’s get that air fryer nice and hot – set it to 400°F (200°C). While it’s warming up, grab a small bowl and whisk together your honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, and black pepper. Give it a good whisk until it’s all combined into a lovely, glossy glaze. So easy, right?
Preparing the Salmon Fillets
Now, take your beautiful salmon fillets and give them a gentle pat dry with some paper towels. This step is a little secret weapon for helping the glaze stick better and ensuring you get a nice texture on the salmon.
Glazing and Air Frying Your Salmon
Pop those dried salmon fillets into your preheated air fryer basket. Brush about half of that gorgeous honey glaze all over the tops of the salmon. Then, pop it in and air fry for about 8 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you want them cooked through and flaky! During the last couple of minutes of cooking, brush on that remaining glaze. This little trick makes sure the glaze gets perfectly caramelized without burning.
Serving Your Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
Once it’s done, carefully take out that perfectly cooked, glistening salmon. Serve it up immediately, and if you’re feeling it, a little squeeze of fresh lemon over the top is pure magic. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe, but let me give you a few little secrets to make your Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon absolutely sing! First off, cooking time *really* depends on how thick your fillets are. Thicker ones might need a few extra minutes, so keep an eye on them. Trust me, checking with a fork is your best friend – you want it to flake easily, but not be dry! Also, and this is a big one, don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. Seriously, give those beautiful salmon pieces some breathing room so the hot air can circulate properly. If you’re cooking more than two fillets, it’s way better to do it in two batches. My favorite way to jazz it up is to add a little pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a tiny kick, or even a tiny swirl of options from air fryer salmon marinade ideas if I’m feeling extra adventurous. You can even swap out some of the honey for maple syrup for a different kind of sweet!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Air Fryer Salmon
Let’s chat a bit more about these ingredients, shall we? The honey is key for that lovely sticky glaze, but if you’re out, maple syrup works beautifully in a pinch for a slightly different, but equally delicious, flavor. And for the soy sauce? If you need to keep things gluten-free, tamari is a fantastic swap. You could even use coconut aminos for a soy-free option, though the flavor will be a little different. Fresh garlic is always my preference for that bright, punchy flavor, but garlic powder can work in a pinch – just use about 1/4 teaspoon.
Serving Suggestions for Your Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
This amazing salmon is so versatile! It’s divine served alongside some crispy air fryer brussels sprouts or maybe some simple air fryer broccoli. A fluffy bed of quinoa or some fluffy rice also makes a perfect base to soak up any extra glaze. Honestly, though, it’s so good you could just eat it on its own!
Storage and Reheating Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your delicious Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the air fryer is your best friend again! Just a quick zap at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes should do the trick to warm it through without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
Got questions about this super simple salmon? I’ve got answers!
Can I use a different type of fish for this recipe?
Absolutely! This glaze is amazing on other fish like cod or even tilapia. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as thinner fillets might cook a bit faster.
How do I know when the salmon is cooked through?
You’ll know it’s ready when it flakes easily with a fork. It should look opaque and not translucent in the center. If you’re ever unsure, just gently poke it!
Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
Yep, you totally can! Just whisk up the glaze, pop it in an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Give it a quick stir before you use it.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just so you know, the nutritional info can vary a bit depending on the exact size of your salmon fillets and the brands you use. But generally, one serving of this Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon comes in around 350 calories, with about 18g of fat (mostly good fats!), 30g of protein, and around 18g of carbs thanks to that lovely glaze. It’s a pretty balanced meal right there!
Share Your Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon Creation!
I absolutely LOVE hearing from you! Did you try this Honey Glazed Air Fryer Salmon? Did your family devour it as much as mine does? Please drop a comment below, give it a star rating if you loved it, or even share a pic on social media – I promise to cheer you on! You can also check out my About Us page to learn more about my cooking adventures!
PrintHoney Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner recipe for perfectly cooked, flavorful salmon using an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, and black pepper to create the glaze.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Place the salmon fillets in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if applicable.
- Brush about half of the honey glaze over the top of the salmon fillets.
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush the remaining glaze over the salmon.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- For thicker salmon fillets, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a touch of heat.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg