Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is my go-to move when I want something absolutely delicious, but I am just not in the mood to bust out pots, pans, and twenty-five ingredients. Like, is anybody else always trying to pull off a healthy dinner that tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant — but you only want to do three minutes of work? I am right there with you. And hey, if you have already loved simple quick dinners like this air fryer chicken sausage recipe or are browsing around for more easy air fryer recipes, trust me this honey garlic salmon is about to steal hearts (and stomachs). 
How To Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
Trust me. You are about to realize how shockingly quick and easy this is. First thing you need are salmon filets (I do skin-on, but hey, up to you). Dry them with a paper towel so the sauce sticks. The real fun part is the honey garlic sauce. I mean, who does not love garlicky, sticky-sweet stuff? Stir together a bit of honey, soy sauce, fresh minced garlic (or jarred if you are like me and sometimes lazy), and a tiny splash of oil. If you are craving a little heat, toss a pinch of red pepper flakes in.
Pour or brush the sauce all over the salmon, then plop those filets straight into the air fryer basket. No preheating needed unless your air fryer is one of those special ones. Pop it at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes. I cannot believe how beautifully caramelized and rich the salmon turns out in such little time. Sometimes I peek and give it a quick brush of extra sauce halfway through, but that is just me being dramatic.
“I made this in my tiny apartment kitchen after work and could not believe there was basically no clean-up. The salmon was so flavorful even my picky brother ate it.” — Jess, real person who claims she does not even like fish
| Ingredient | Quantity | Nutritional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon | 2 fillets (about 6 oz each) | High in omega-3 fatty acids, supports heart health |
| Honey | 2 tablespoons | Natural sweetener, may help with allergies |
| Soy Sauce | 2 tablespoons | Provides umami flavor, contains antioxidants |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced | May boost immune function and reduce blood pressure |
| Red Pepper Flakes | 1 teaspoon (optional) | May improve metabolism and provide flavor |
Recipe tips
Alright, here is where I spill the beans on all the weird little mistakes and unexpected wins I have had with this recipe. For starters, pat your salmon dry every single time, or the sauce swims off and you end up with bland fish. Trust me, I learned that one the embarrassing way.
Let the salmon chill on the counter for about ten minutes before popping it in the air fryer. It cooks up nicer that way. Oh and seriously, do not overcrowd the basket. Air fryers are magic, but they are not miracle workers. Give those filets some breathing room.
If you want that honey garlic sauce to get sticky and glossy, brush extra on halfway through cooking. Do not overload at the beginning or it can burn (I have done this, learned, and lived to tell the tale). Quick tip: a little squeeze of lemon at the end wakes up all the flavors. Not a must, but totally worth the zesty punch if you’ve got a sad lemon lurking in your fridge.
Customize It!
Here is where the creative jazz hands come out. Loving this honey garlic situation but want to make it bold? Add a squirt of sriracha or a little extra ginger. If you are out of soy sauce, coconut aminos are a nifty swap (also gluten-free).
Not really about fish tonight? The sauce works crazy well on chicken or even roasted tofu. I once dumped the leftovers on steamed broccoli—delicious. You can swap in maple syrup for honey if that is more your style (or if your honey is a solid rock in the pantry, which happens to me… a lot).
And if you want super crispy edges, run a little broil at the end, but watch close or you’ll go from “crispy” to “uh-oh, burned.”
Sides To Eat With Your Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon
Okay, so, you made the star of the show—now what do you put with it? I always need easy sides that do not take all night.
- Try some steamed rice or cauliflower rice. Soaks up all that sauce, seriously good.
- Autumn harvest salad with honeycrisp apple and feta is fresh, crisp, and brings that sweet-savory perfection.
- Quick pan-seared green beans or snap peas if you are feeling veggie-forward.
Some nights, I just throw that salmon on top of leftover salad or tuck it into a grain bowl. Works every time!
No Air Fryer? No Problem! You Can Make This Honey Garlic Salmon In The Oven!
I totally get it. Not everyone has an air fryer taking up precious counter space. Good news: you can still totally make this honey garlic salmon the old-fashioned way in the oven. Use the same basic technique—marinate or brush the salmon with your honey garlic sauce and lay it on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Pop it in a 400°F oven and bake about 12 to maybe 15 minutes, depending how thick your fish is. Give it a little love with more sauce partway through if you want it extra glossy. It will not get quite as caramelized on the edges as the air fryer, but it is still fantastic. I have even broiled it for the last minute to get a bit of extra color.
If you are more into high protein beef dinners, here’s a solid swap: try this high-protein slow cooker garlic butter beef bites for a changeup. Nobody will be mad about options at the table.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need to flip the salmon in the air fryer?
A: Nope! Leave it as is. Air flow takes care of both sides and the top gets nicely glazed.
Q: Can I use frozen salmon filets?
A: Yes, just thaw them fully and pat them dry. Otherwise, the sauce will slide off and things get soggy.
Q: How do you know salmon is done?
A: When it flakes easily with a fork and looks opaque all the way through. If you poke the thickest part and it comes apart, you are golden.
Q: Any way to make it lower-sodium?
A: Use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. You do not really lose flavor—promise.
Q: What if I cannot eat honey?
A: Agave or maple syrup works. It is not exactly the same, but honestly, still pretty dang tasty.
Give Dinner a Five-Star Upgrade Tonight
And there it is. Seriously, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon is the move if you want something wildly tasty with almost zero effort. Do not forget—this is way easier than you think, plus you can swap things around to make it yours.
Honestly, if you have got the salmon and a couple pantry basics, you are twenty minutes away from dinner. For some more inspiration, check out the versions from The Cooking Jar and Good Food Baddie. Now, go on—give it a whirl. Your dinner game is about to get a five-star boost!
Print
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A quick and easy honey garlic salmon made in the air fryer that tastes like a five-star restaurant dish.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, stir together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Brush or pour sauce over salmon fillets.
- Place salmon in air fryer basket and set temperature to 400°F.
- Air fry for 7-9 minutes, brushing with extra sauce halfway through if desired.
Notes
For best results, let the salmon rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before cooking. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 60mg