Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe
Air Fryer Parmesan crusted salmon is a delicious and easy recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fancy date night in. Air fryer parmesan salmon is a healthier alternative to the traditionally fried version and is just as crispy and flavorful.
You will also want to try this Air Fryer Scallops wrapped in bacon recipe too!
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
The hardest part about making salmon is getting it to stay together while cooking. With an air fryer, there’s no need to worry about that – the hot air will cook it perfectly without any sticking. This recipe coats the salmon in a delicious Parmesan crust, for a meal that’s healthy and satisfying. Enjoy!
- It only requires simple ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to cook.
- The crispy Parmesan coating is the perfect contrast to the delicate, flaky salmon that’s restaurant quality at home.
- Easily turn into a keto recipe by using pork rind crumbs in place of the panko.
- This dish is healthy and easy to prepare – perfect for busy weeknights.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
You will need a few pieces of equipment to help you make this simple and easy recipe that your entire family will enjoy.
- air fryer
- a baking dish that will fit in the air fryer
- parchment paper or aluminum foil
- medium mixing bowl
- small mixing bowl
- small saucepan
- basting brush
INGREDIENTS
This list of ingredients for air fryer parmesan salmon may seem long, but most of these ingredients are commonly found in your pantry and fridge already, so you shouldn’t have to go out and buy many items to make this tasty salmon recipe.
Ingredients
- salmon filet – get wild caught salmon!
Parmesan Cheese Coating
- finely grated Parmesan cheese – found in the refrigerator section. Grate your own for best tasting cheese.
- panko bread crumbs – for a keto version you can use pork rind crumbs.
- finely chopped chives
- finely chopped cilantro
- lemon for zest
- olive oil
Butter mix
- butter, unsalted and soften at room temperature
- minced garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the White Wine Sauce:
Serving the white wine sauce over the salmon is optional, but boy will you love the flavor it adds and it’s simple to make too!
- butter
- minced garlic
- dry white wine; Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris. Chardonnay
- heavy cream
- finely chopped chives
- finely chopped cilantro
HOW TO MAKE THIS AIR FRYER PARMESAN CRUSTED SALMON
This recipe is simple to follow and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry fridge. The air fryer does all of the work for you, so you can sit back and enjoy a delicious meal with hardly any effort at all.
STEP 1: PREHEAT THE AIR FRYER AND LINE A BAKING SHEET
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Line a sheet tray that fits your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Or lightly spray the air fryer insert with nonstick cooing spray and place salmon directly in the air fryer.
STEP 2: MIX TOGETHER THE PARMESAN BREADING
Combine Parmesan, panko, chives, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Stir in the olive oil. Set aside.
STEP 3: SEASON THE SALMON FILETS
Salt and pepper the filets.
STEP 4: MIX TOGETHER THE WET INGREDIENTS
Combine soft butter, mustard, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
STEP 5: ADD THE SALMON TO THE BAKING SHEET AND BRUSH WITH GARLIC BUTTER
Place salmon skin-side down and brush the top of the salmon generously with garlic butter.
STEP 6: PRESS THE PARMESAN MIXTURE ONTO THE TOP AND SIDES OF THE FILETS
Slice into filets and press the tops and sides of the salmon into the panko Parmesan mixture.
STEP 8: AIR FRY THE FILETS UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN
Place prepared salmon directly in the air fryer insert or place the prepared tray in the air fryer basket, then cook for 10 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon.
STEP 9: MAKE THE WHITE WINE SAUCE (OPTIONAL)
For the sauce, add the wine, garlic, chives and cilantro, and butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce by three-fourths.
STEP 10: ADD THE CREAM TO THE SAUCE
Add the heavy cream and reduce for 3 minutes or until the sauce slightly thickens. Season with salt to taste.
STEP 11: SERVE AND ENJOY
Serve with lemon slices and white wine sauce. Top with additional fresh herbs.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH PARMESAN CRUSTED SALMON
This simple air fryer salmon recipe is delicious on its own, but if you want to make it a full meal, there are plenty of options for what to serve with Parmesan crusted salmon.
Some of our favorites include:
- Wild rice
- Couscous
- Roasted vegetables or your favorite vegetable side dish
- A simple salad like this blue cheese wedge.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
Do you want to change up this easy dinner recipe? Here are some of my favorite substitutions and additions for this tasty recipe.
- If you don’t have white wine or don’t enjoy the wine you can use chicken broth or chicken stock instead.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the salmon in a preheated oven set to 350°F.
- Not a fan of salmon? You can use chicken breasts instead.
- If you don’t want to make the white wine sauce, you can serve the salmon with your favorite store-bought sauce or simply a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Add some heat to your breadcrumb mixture by mixing in a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Garlic powder can be used in place of the minced garlic.
- You can also add Italian seasoning or your favorite seasonings to your panko breadcrumbs to switch up the flavors of this recipe.
- Pulse pork rinds in a food processor or blender for a low carb breading (in place of panko).
- Garnish with fresh parsley, fresh basil leaves, fresh dill, or lemon wedges.
- Instead of garlic butter, you can brush the salmon with avocado oil instead. I recommend seasoning your salmon with garlic and sea salt if you are using oil instead.
HOW TO STORE
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the garlic parmesan crusted salmon on a sheet tray lined with foil or parchment paper and heat in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.
FAQS
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this dish.
This recipe calls for cooking the salmon for 10 minutes, but depending on the size and thickness of the fish, they may need more or less time. Check on the salmon after 8 minutes of cooking and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes if needed.
There are a few ways to tell when salmon is cooked. The first is to use a meat thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Another way to tell if salmon is done is to insert a fork into the thickest part of the salmon filet and twist. If the salmon flakes easily, it’s done.
No, you don’t have to flip the salmon while it’s cooking. The air fryer will cook the salmon evenly on both sides.
You can use any type of salmon you like for this recipe. We prefer Sockeye or Atlantic salmon, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
OTHER DELICIOUS SEAFOOD RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
- Baked Salmon with Red Curry Sauce Simple dish that can be made mid week and also worthy of preparing for guests.
- Salmon Patties – this is a low carb gluten free recipe that can be served as an appetizer.
- Salmon Bowl – leftover salmon can be turned into a delicious new meal. This bowl is made with quinoa.
- Smoked Salmon Pate – use as a spread on sandwiches or serve with crackers or celery sticks for an appetizer.
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon sliced into filets
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 2/3 cup panko crumbs
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
- 1 lemon for zest
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Butter Mix
- 1 tablespoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
White Wine Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup dry white wine; Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris. Chardonnay
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro
- 1 Lemon sliced to garnish salmon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Line a sheet tray that fits your air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil for easy clean up. Alternatively, place directly in air fryer insert (lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking oil).
- For the Parmesan breading mix, In a medium size bowl or shallow baking dish combine Parmesan, panko, chives, and lemon zest. Stir in the olive oil. Set aside.
- Salt and pepper the fillets on both sides of the fish.
- For the butter mix, in a small sperate bowl combine melted butter, mustard, and minced garlic.
- With a pastry brush top the salmon generously with garlic butter. Slice the salmon to fit in the air fryer basket.
- Press the tops and sides of the salmon with the panko Parmesan mixture and place the salmon in the prepared tray or directly in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- White Wine Sauce
- Add the wine, garlic, chives and cilantro, and butter to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, then bring to a simmer. Cook until the mix is reduce by three-fourths.
- Add the heavy cream and simmer for an additional 3 minutes or until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve salmon with lemon slices and wine sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
