Description
This Air Fryer Lemon-Pepper Salmon recipe features tender salmon fillets coated in a zesty, creamy lemon-pepper sauce with a hint of horseradish and crushed red pepper flakes. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal that requires minimal prep and delivers a crispy exterior with moist, flaky salmon inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salmon
- 4 portions of salmon (6-8 oz each)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, crushed black peppercorns, mayonnaise, horseradish sauce, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly using a fork or whisk until the sauce is well blended and smooth.
- Coat the salmon: Take each salmon portion and cover it completely with the prepared lemon-pepper sauce. Ensure all sides of the fillets are evenly coated for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat the air fryer: Let the salmon marinate briefly while preheating the air fryer basket to 370°F (188°C) for 5 minutes, which helps achieve an even cook and crispy edges.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a small amount of olive oil. Place the salmon fillets skin side down carefully into the basket, avoiding overcrowding to allow even air circulation. Discard any leftover sauce.
- Cook the salmon: Air fry the salmon at 370°F (188°C) for 8–10 minutes depending on fillet thickness. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and has an opaque pink color inside.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh salmon portions, preferably with skin on to help keep the fillets moist during cooking.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit for milder flavor.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air flow and even cooking.
- Leftover sauce can be discarded or saved for use as a dip but is not recommended for further cooking.
- Use a food-safe brush or spoon to coat salmon evenly with the sauce.
