Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe | Sweet, Savory & Crispy

I just made this air fryer honey garlic salmon recipe, and wow—it turned out so beautifully caramelized and flavorful. I couldn’t wait to share how simple it was—in just minutes, I had sticky, sweet, garlicky salmon that tastes restaurant-worthy. From marinating to crisping in the air fryer, I felt like a home chef leveling up.

If you’ve been looking for a fast but impressive salmon dinner, this one’s a keeper. If you love trying easy yet impressive dishes, you might also enjoy my Spinach and Mushroom Quiche Recipe, which is perfect for a light lunch or brunch.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need (and a few pro tips from my experience):

• 2 salmon fillets (5–8 oz each): Choose fresh (not frozen) salmon for better texture and flavor. If your fillets are thicker than 1 inch, they may need an extra minute or two in the air fryer.
• 2 tablespoons honey: The natural sugars in honey caramelize nicely under heat, giving that glossy sticky finish.
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce: Using low sodium helps keep the sauce from becoming overly salty when reduced.
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic): Garlic powder works in a pinch and distributes easily, but fresh garlic gives a brighter bite.
• Optional garnishes: black or white sesame seeds, sliced green onions.

Note: serves 2

Variations

Want to tweak it a bit? Here are a few ideas:

• Dairy-free / lighter: The original recipe is already dairy-free since no butter or cream is used.
• Sugar-free substitute: Swap honey for a sugar-free syrup or a touch of stevia + molasses (but watch consistency).
• Flavor add-ins: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat; or stir in freshly grated ginger for a warming kick.
• Soy alternative: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
• Citrus twist: Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to brighten the flavors.

If you want a sweet treat afterward, my Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe pairs beautifully with a savory meal like this salmon.

Cooking Time

Here’s the time breakdown as I timed it in my kitchen:

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 13 minutes

Equipment You Need

• Air fryer (to crisp the salmon beautifully)
• Small mixing bowl (for making the sauce)
• Brush or spoon (to baste the salmon)
• Tongs or spatula (to flip / remove salmon safely)

How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

Marinate the Salmon

In a bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, and garlic (powder or fresh). Reserve half of the mixture for drizzling later. Use the rest to coat both sides of your salmon fillets, then let them sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the flavors penetrate.

Preheat and Baste

Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (≈ 200 °C). Place the marinated salmon fillets skin-side down (if they have skin), then spoon or brush some of the reserved sauce over the tops just before cooking begins.

Air Fry to Perfection

Cook the salmon for about 7–8 minutes, depending on thickness. When it’s done, the salmon should no longer be translucent and should flake easily with a fork. Remove it carefully and drizzle over any remaining sauce before serving.

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

Here are some lessons I learned when making this:

• Don’t overcrowd the basket — leaving space lets the air circulate for crisp edges.
• Use room-temperature salmon (not straight from the fridge) so it cooks more evenly.
• Midway through cooking, I like to quickly brush more sauce to boost depth.
• If your glaze is thickening too fast or looks like it might burn, lower temperature by 10–15 °F or reduce cook time slightly.
• Always rest the cooked fish for a minute—juices settle, and it slices cleaner.

How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon

Serving this salmon is fun because it looks gorgeous and tastes even better:

• Place the fillet on a bed of steamed rice, quinoa, or mixed greens.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions for color and crunch.
• Add lemon or lime wedges on the side so people can squeeze fresh citrus over top.
• Serve with air fryer veggies (broccoli, asparagus, green beans) tossed in olive oil and garlic—timed so veggies finish just when the salmon does.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a rough idea of the nutrition per serving (two-fillet version):

• Calories: ~ 350 kcal
• Protein: ~ 30 g
• Carbohydrates: ~ 12 g
• Fat: ~ 18 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Refrigeration

You can refrigerate cooked salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep sauce separate if possible so fillets don’t get soggy.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dish because the glaze can change texture, but you can freeze cooked salmon (wrapped tightly) for up to 1 month. Thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop it back into the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes, or use a gentle oven or toaster oven. Avoid microwaves if possible to preserve texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons this recipe became a favorite for me—and might do the same for you:

• It’s impressively fast — from start to finish in just over ten minutes (after marinating).
• It uses few ingredients, most of which are pantry staples.
• It’s adaptable — you can tweak sweet, spicy, or acidic notes to your taste.
• It gives you restaurant-style results at home with minimal fuss.
• It’s healthy — high in protein and doesn’t rely on heavy sauces or frying.

Ben Carraoli

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe

I just made this air fryer honey garlic salmon, and wow—it turned out so beautifully caramelized and flavorful. I couldn’t wait to share how simple it was—in just minutes, I had sticky, sweet, garlicky salmon that tastes restaurant-worthy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 salmon fillets 5–8 oz each: Choose fresh (not frozen) salmon for better texture and flavor. If your fillets are thicker than 1 inch, they may need an extra minute or two in the air fryer.
• 2 tablespoons honey: The natural sugars in honey caramelize nicely under heat giving that glossy sticky finish.
• 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce: Using low sodium helps keep the sauce from becoming overly salty when reduced.
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic: Garlic powder works in a pinch and distributes easily, but fresh garlic gives a brighter bite.
• Optional garnishes: black or white sesame seeds sliced green onions.

Method

 

1. In a bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, and garlic (powder or fresh). Reserve half of the mixture for drizzling later. Use the rest to coat both sides of your salmon fillets, then let them sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the flavors penetrate.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (≈ 200 °C). Place the marinated salmon fillets skin-side down (if they have skin), then spoon or brush some of the reserved sauce over the tops just before cooking begins.
3. Cook the salmon for about 7–8 minutes, depending on thickness. When it’s done, the salmon should no longer be translucent and should flake easily with a fork. Remove it carefully and drizzle over any remaining sauce before serving.

Notes

• Don’t overcrowd the basket — leaving space lets the air circulate for crisp edges.
• Use room-temperature salmon (not straight from the fridge) so it cooks more evenly.
• Midway through cooking, I like to quickly brush more sauce to boost depth.
• If your glaze is thickening too fast or looks like it might burn, lower temperature by 10–15 °F or reduce cook time slightly.
• Always rest the cooked fish for a minute—juices settle, and it slices cleaner.