Delicious Air Fryer Salmon and Brussel Sprouts in 20 minutes! Perfectly cooked salmon is tender and flaky in the middle with crisp edges and when paired with nutritious veggies it’s a quick, simple high protein, low carb meal.
If youโre looking for more ways to enjoy salmon, you might also enjoy this simple salmon stir fry, healthy salmon burgers, hot honey salmon bites, or even canned salmon cakes!
Table of contents
In just 20 minutes, you can have restaurant quality air fryer salmon. Paired with a tangy lemon-dijon sauce and air fryer Brussel sprouts, this is a minimum effort maximum-reward meal that is a dinner saver on nights when you struggle for new meal ideas.
Not only is salmon in an air fryer delicious and quick, but it’s simple too โ and clean up is easy peasy. With versatile ingredients (use whatever veggies you have on hand), this will become one of your favorite healthy dinner ideas in your weekly rotation!
Want an oven baked version of this simple โone potโ meal? Check out this one pan salmon and veggies!
Why Make Salmon in Air Fryer with Brussels?
- Ready in 20 minutes: Great for a low effort, last minute, midweek meal.
- A handful of ingredients: Just salmon, veggies, and a handful of pantry basics!
- Super versatile: Use any number of marinades or dry spice seasonings and swap the Brussels for what you have on hand!
- Perfectly cooked: Flaky, juicy, flavorful, tender air fryer salmon โ no fuss!
- Nutrient dense: Salmon is packed with healthy protein, omegas, vitamins and minerals and Brussels are high in vitamin K!
- A full dinner: With minimal prep or effort! Enjoy alone (low carb) or pair with a grain or other sides.
Ingredients for Air Fried Salmon
- Salmon: I recommend using fillets around 6oz each โ or using a large piece of salmon to fillet yourself (as I did).
Wild vs. farmed salmon: Wild salmon is leaner, contains more minerals, higher levels of Omega-3โs and a 3x reduction in Omega-6โs. Farmed salmon can contain more contaminants and is often fed antibiotics and artificial GMO feed. However, farmed is a lower price point and often has a more ‘buttery’ texture.
- Brussels sprouts: Use fresh not frozen sprouts. Read the FAQs/optional add-ins sections for veggie alternatives (there are many!).
- Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral cooking oil (like avocado oil) will work.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh for the best flavor. You could optionally use a little zest too.
- Garlic: Adjust the amount to personal preference.
- Dijon mustard: I prefer to use creamy Dijon mustard over wholegrain to disperse into the sauce easily. However, either will work.
- Salt & Pepper: To season and taste.
Youโll also need some cooking spray. I use Misto.
Keep reading below (after the recipe how to) for more information on any add-ins and recipe variations!
How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer
- Prepare the salmon: If you aren’t using pre-prepared salmon fillets, first, you’ll need to debone, clean, and slice the salmon into four fillets. I left the skin on as it’s easier to cook that way.
- Prepare the sprouts: Wash, drain, and trim the ends from the Brussel sprouts using a small paring knife. There is no need to remove the outer leaves unless any look wilted/brown.
Donโt be tempted to cut the sprouts in half, or else they will overcook. Itโs also best to choose sprouts that are similar in size so that they cook evenly.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and salt and pepper. Then whisk well to combine โ it will foam up a bit, but that’s normal. At the same time, preheat the air fryer at 400F/205C for 5 minutes.
- Coat the salmon and sprouts: Pour half the sauce over the sprouts in the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Then brush the remaining sauce generously over the salmon fillets.
If you plan to use spices to season the salmon fillets, pat the fish dry with some paper towel first to help them adhere.
- Cook: Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with a bit of cooking spray, then add two of the salmon fillets and half the Brussel sprouts in the air fryer. Close and cook for 10 minutes; there is no need to shake halfway unless you brown the sprouts more evenly on all sides. Then plate those up and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
You can pop the first batch back into the air fryer for a minute or two at the end if you want to warm it up again.
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
- Seasoning blends: You can also experiment with other seasoning blends, like:
- Cajun seasoning – like I use for Cajun chicken.
- Curry powder
- BBQ seasoning
- Lemon herb seasoning
- Simple spice rub: One of my favorite simple ways to season this air fried salmon is to combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper with just a drizzle of olive oil.
- Other vegetables: Brussel sprouts are just one of many veggies you could pair with the salmon and cook in 10-15 minutes. Other favorite options include air fryer cauliflower, zucchini, asparagus in air fryer (6-8 minutes is best), bell peppers, etc. Harder veggies like cubed potatoes / sweet potatoes or butternut squash usually take a little longer (15-20 minutes) unless chopped into small cubes (1/2 inch pieces).
- Other marinades: I love using Thai chili sauce, honey garlic glazed salmon, baked teriyaki salmon, lime and ginger marinated salmon, and even peanut butter marinades/sauces.
Love salmon like I do? Try grilled salmon, broiled like Thai salmon, cedar plank salmon on the grill or baked salmon in foil!
Tips for Air Frying Salmon
- Adjust the cooking time for salmon size: I used wild chinook salmon around 1.5″ thick. If your pieces are thicker/thinner, then youโll need to adjust the time accordingly. If they need longer, remove the sprouts if they start to look too brown.
- My air fryer size: I use a large 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer. If yours is smaller, fit as many ingredients as you can, as long as they are in a single layer. You can also cook a batch of fish first, then a batch of veggies.
- Leave the skin on the salmon: Even if you don’t want to eat it, it’s best to cook the salmon with the skin on, as it will help hold the salmon together, and skinless salmon can become dry quickly if overcooked even slightly.
- Be wary of pin bones: If you purchase your salmon from a fishmonger, they tend to remove the pin bones. However, when doing so at home, youโll need a pair of tweezers to help remove them โ it only takes a few minutes.
- If youโre using an oven air fryer: I’ve found that in oven air fryers tend not to use the same cooking times as smaller air fryers. After all, an air fryer is basically a tiny convection oven โ so if it’s oven sized, the cooking time will increase.
- Preheat your air fryer: This will speed up the cooking time and ensure the salmon filets cook evenly, same goes for air fryer lamb chops.
FAQs
Absolutely! I’ve found that I prefer the texture of air fried salmon when it’s cooked from fresh (or thawed), but it’s simple to cook frozen salmon in air fryer. Just add on a few extra minutes when cooking!
No, as written above – just pop frozen salmon in air fryer for a few extra minutes and you’re good to go.
The easiest way to tell if salmon air fryer recipe is done is to gently press the top of the salmon with your finger (or a fork). If it begins to separate into flakes then it’s ready. The fish should also have turned from the translucent red/pink to an opaque pink color.
If you have a meat thermometer/ instant read thermometer, you can also use that to check the salmon. The internal temperature at the thickest part of the salmon needs to be above 110 ยฐF to be safely considered ‘cooked’. However, below 125 ยฐF is ‘rare’ and between 125-140 ยฐF is a medium-rare. I wouldn’t go above 145 ยฐF as it will become dry and tough.
Absolutely. Luckily most veggies cook in around 10-15 minutes in the air fryer, though you may want to shake them halfway for even cooking (depending on their size). See optional add-in’s and variations above for vegetable recommendations.
No. In fact, salmon air fryer recipe doesn’t need to be marinated at all. If you do want to try a marinade, a quick 15-30 minutes is usually enough.
There is no right answer for this. I use a large 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer that can cook this meal in two batches. If yours is smaller, simply cook in more batches. You can always reheat them for a minute or two at the end to make sure everything is warm to serve.
Just use a little cooking spray or oil. You shouldn’t need much!
Technically yes, though it may lead to some uneven cooking. To avoid that, allow it to rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
Serving Recommendations
You can enjoy the air fried salmon and veggies warm either alone, as a simple, healthy low carb dinner. Alternatively, pair it with a grain like brown rice or learn how to cook quinoa. My other favorite serving options include:
- Alongside other veggie sides: You can double or even triple up on veggie sides; roasted, grilled, or steamed. Broiled asparagus (or roasted asparagus recipe) and sauteed broccoli are some of my favorites.
- With potatoes: This air-fried salmon pairs perfectly with potato sides like mashed potatoes.
There are also several ways that you can use the leftovers (chilled or reheated).
- Added to salads: You can add the chilled air fried salmon (whole or flaked) to leafy green salads, veggie salads, or serve alongside a side salad.
- Mix into quiche: Like this spinach, or broccoli quiche, or spaghetti squash quiche with veggies. It would also work added into a frittata.
- Mixed into a pasta salad: The combination of browned sprouts and salmon with the fresh ingredients in a pasta salad (like this healthy pasta salad or tomato pasta salad) is delicious.
- Served over grains/grain bowls: Serve with your favorite grain (like brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice) or as part of a grain bowl/salad โ like this Mediterranean quinoa salad or quinoa tabbouleh.
- Use it in a stir fry: For example, in place of shrimp in this shrimp and vegetable stir fry!
- Mixed into pasta dishes: Leftover air fried salmon is an easy way to add protein to homemade pasta dishes, like broccoli and penne pasta, zucchini tomato pasta, or pesto pasta with broccoli.
- Added to wraps/sandwiches: Flake the salmon and combine it with fresh salad veggies and some cream cheese for a simple lunch wrap. Likewise, this salmon works great flaked up into sandwiches.
Making This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can coat the salmon and sprouts (separately) with the sauce and cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before cooking. You could also turn this salmon into a freezer meal by freezing the coated salmon until solid for up to 3 months. You can then cook the salmon from frozen. Adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Storing: Store any leftover air fried salmon and sprouts in an airtight container for up to four days. It makes for perfect meal prep, too โ read the serving recommendations for tons of ideas on using the precooked air fryer salmon and veggies!
Freezing: Place the salmon on a paper lined tray and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer safe container or bag and store for up to three months. I donโt recommend freezing the cooked Brussel sprouts.
Reheat: Pop the salmon and veggies back in the air fryer at 400F/205C for several minutes (3-4 usually) until warm.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Salmon and Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets 6 oz each
- 1 lb brussels sprouts
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard creamy
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Cooking spray I use Misto
Instructions
- Prep salmon fillet by deboning, cleaning and cutting into 4 pieces. I recommend to keep the skin on for easier cooking.
- Wash, drain well and trim the ends of brussels sprouts using a paring knife. No need to remove the outer leaves.
- In a small bowl, add olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and whisk well. It will foam a bit.
- Preheatย air fryerย at 400 F degrees for 5 minutes.
- Pour half of the sauce over brussels sprouts in the bowl and stir with a spoon to coat. Set aside. Brush remaining half of the sauce over salmon pieces generously.
- Spray basket of the air fryer with cooking spray, add 2 salmon fillets, half of brussels sprouts and air fry at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. No need to shake.
- Remove cooked fish and veggies onto a platter, and repeat with remaining ingredients one more time.
- Serve hot as is for a low carb dinner or with a side of Instant Pot brown rice or how to cook quinoa on stove.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat air fried salmon and veggies in air fryer at 400 degrees F for 3-4 minutes or until warm.
- Freeze:ย Freeze leftover salmon (I do not recommend to freeze cooked Brussels) in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Salmon thickness: I used wild chinook salmon pieces about 1.5″ thick. If thicker, add a few extra minutes to cooking time. At that point you can also remove brussels sprouts if they look a bit too brown.
- Frozen salmon? Add a few minutes to cooking time.
- Keep Brussels whole: Do not cut them in halves otherwise they will overcook.ย
- My air fryer size: I use 5.8 quart (large) Cosori air fryer.ย
- Leave the skin on the salmon: Even if you don’t want to eat it, it’s best to cook the salmon with the skin on, as it will help hold the salmon together, and skinless salmon can become dry quickly if overcooked even slightly.
Absolutely delicious ๐
So glad you enjoyed it!
Loved this fast and easy way to cook salmon and those crispy edges on both the fish and Brussels! Can’t wait to try with other veggies!
So happy to hear this, air fryer crispy results for a dinner win!