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Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Crust

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A quick and easy air fryer salmon recipe featuring a crispy garlic Parmesan crust that delivers a perfect balance of crunch and tender, flaky fish in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 oz (170 g) each
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to help the crust stick and crisp the skin. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. (About 5 minutes)
  2. In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup finely grated Parmesan, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Stir to combine evenly. (2 minutes)
  3. Brush each fillet generously with olive oil on the top side only to help the crust adhere and crisp in the air fryer. (2 minutes)
  4. Press the Parmesan mixture firmly onto the top side of each salmon fillet to form a thick crust. (3 minutes)
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the fillets crust-side up in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
  7. Check doneness by flake test or internal temperature of 125°F (52°C).
  8. Carefully transfer to plates and squeeze fresh lemon over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure crust sticks and crisps well. Do not flip fillets during cooking to keep crust intact. If crust isn’t crispy enough, add 1-2 extra minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning. Freshly grated Parmesan is preferred over pre-grated for best crispiness. For dairy-free option, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast and crushed nuts, brushing olive oil generously.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer salmon, crispy salmon, garlic Parmesan crust, quick salmon recipe, healthy salmon, easy dinner, low-carb salmon, keto salmon, gluten-free salmon

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/crispy-air-fryer-salmon-recipe-easy-garlic-parmesan-crust-guide/