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Cajun Air Fryer Salmon

This air fryer salmon is full of flavor with a hint of sweetness. It's moist, delicious, and ready in under 10 minutes. If using an unsalted Cajun seasoning, you may want to season the fillets with salt before serving. I like to use a Misto sprayer with oil, but feel free to use regular cooking spray. For best results, use 1-inch-thick, center-cut fillets.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American, nordic
Servings 2 people
Calories 1145.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Dinner Plate
  • 1 Paper Towels
  • 1 Cooking Spray or Oil Mister For even application of oil

Ingredients
  

Main

  • cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 6 ounce skin-on salmon fillets

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Rinse and dry salmon fillets with a paper towel. Mist fillets with cooking spray. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Mix together Cajun seasoning and brown sugar in a small bowl until combined; spread onto a plate. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Press fillets, flesh-side down, into seasoning mixture. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray and place salmon fillets skin-side down. Mist salmon again lightly with cooking spray. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Close the lid and cook in the preheated air fryer for 8 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Notes

For optimal results, select 1-inch thick, center-cut salmon fillets; thicker cuts cook more evenly and retain moisture better. When preparing the fillets, ensure they are thoroughly patted dry; this allows the seasoning to adhere properly and promotes a superior crust. The sweetness from the brown sugar balances the spice of the Cajun seasoning, but always taste your seasoning blend first. If using an unsalted Cajun blend, consider a pinch of fine sea salt. After cooking, allowing the salmon to rest for 2 minutes is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender final product. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to steaming instead of crisping; cook in batches if necessary.