This Air Fryer Cajun Salmon is light and flaky, and ready in less than 30 minutes. Fresh salmon filets are brushed with olive oil, then rubbed with a mouthwatering homemade cajun spice rub. It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner!
This is one of my Air Fryer recipes I know you’ll want to keep on hand!
![cajun salmon filet on a plate with broccoli florets and a lemon wedge.](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Cajun-Salmon-recipe-card-1-680x680.jpg)
Until a few years ago, I was adamant that I didn’t like salmon (or much seafood at all, for that matter). But recipes like my honey garlic salmon changed my mind.
We all know how nutritious salmon is… loaded with omega 3’s, high in protein and tons of vitamins, so I’m glad I can enjoy those benefits. And now, so can you!
The salmon filets are brushed with a little oil, then rubbed with a simple yet delicious cajun seasoning blend. Cooking the salmon in the air fryer ensures that it stays nice and juicy, instead of ending up dried out.
You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack SO much flavor. And it’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
What do I need to make this recipe?
![Ingredients for making cajun salmon in the air fryer](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ingredients-needed-to-make-air-fryer-cajun-salmon-680x1019.png)
- Olive oil – you don’t have to use olive oil for this recipe, a good semi-neutral oil will work. Avocado is the oil I typically choose.
- Salmon – where I’m located, Atlantic salmon is what’s most readily available, but your favorite type of salmon will work in this recipe. You can also use skin-on filets, or skinless.
- Spices – the smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, white pepper, and dried thyme combine to make a cajun-style seasoning.
- Lemon – this is for garnish, as the little bit of acid helps bring out all the other flavors.
- Parsley – this is also a garnish, that brings a bit of freshness.
How to make air fryer cajun salmon?
This is just an overview; the full ingredients and directions are in the recipe card toward the bottom of this post.
![step by step photo collage of how to make air fryer cajun salmon](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/how-to-make-air-fryer-cajun-salmon-1-680x227.png)
- Make seasoning blend. To ensure the seasoning is blended evenly, I like to combine the seasonings in a small bowl first and stir well.
- Brush with oil. This makes sure the seasoning blend will adhere to the salmon.
- Season. Sprinkle liberally with the seasoning blend, then rub it in to the fish with your hands.
- Air fry. Make sure you leave a little room in between each filet, so the air can circulate and they cook evenly.
- Garnish and serve. Nothing fancy here, just a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon.
Helpful Tip!
I prefer to buy fresh salmon from the seafood counter of my grocery store, instead of frozen filets in bags, since those tend to be very thin. Cooking Light has a great article on how to pick the best salmon at the grocery store. Also, salmon can go “off” or bad pretty quickly, so I prefer to buy my salmon no more than 1 day ahead of time.
![This Air Fryer Cajun Salmon is light and flaky, and ready in less than 30 minutes. Fresh salmon filets are brushed with olive oil, then rubbed with a mouthwatering homemade cajun spice rub. It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner!](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Cajun-Salmon-feat-1-680x884.jpg)
Variations of this recipe
- Types of salmon – where I’m located, Atlantic salmon is what’s most readily available, but your favorite type of salmon will work in this recipe.
- Seasoning – if you’d prefer not to make your own cajun seasoning, you can pick up your favorite store-bought blend.
- Oil – in place of the olive oil, you can try using avocado or vegetable oil.
- Oven – if you don’t have an air fryer, no worries, this can be made in the oven as well. Check the “chef tips” section right below the recipe instructions for all the info.
- Sauce – while it’s not called for in this recipe, if you’d like a sauce to serve alongside the salmon, you could try a remoulade, or a ranch.
- Doneness – The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. However, some people prefer their salmon to be more rare or more well-done, like a steak. To be on the safe side, I stick to the USDA’s recommendation though.
![squeezing a lemon wedge over a cajun salmon filet on a plate.](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Cajun-Salmon-4-1-680x850.jpg)
FAQ’s
The most accurate way to tell is to use an internal thermometer. These are generally inexpensive, and invaluable in the kitchen. If you have one, the temperature you’re looking for is 145°F, which is what the USDA recommends for safety. However, some people prefer their salmon at different levels of doneness, so please do so at your own discretion. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can also gently press down on the filet with a fork. If it flakes easily and separates along the white lines running through the fish, then it’s done.
Making cajun salmon ahead of time
Since seafood tastes best when made fresh, I don’t recommend making this recipe ahead of time.
However you can absolutely mix up the cajun seasoning ahead of time and keep it stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
![using a fork to flake a salmon filet](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-Fryer-Cajun-Salmon-6-1-680x850.jpg)
Storage
Any leftover salmon should be refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoyed within 3 days.
Leftover cajun seasoning blend can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 6 months.
![air fryer](https://www.thechunkychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/air-fryer-680x836.jpg)
My Favorite Air Fryer!
This is a newer air fryer for me, but I really enjoy it! I love the larger, rectangular basket, and that the basket is nonstick, removable, and dishwasher safe!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 1/2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 Tbsp black pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 Tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Salmon
- 4 (about 3 oz each) salmon filets with skin or without
- 2 Tbsp cajun seasoning (from the recipe above)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- lemon wedges for garnish
- minced fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Make seasoning blend
- In a small bowl, add all cajun seasoning blend ingredients and stir well to combine.
Prepare salmon
- Brush olive oil over the tops and bottoms of the salmon filets, then rub on all sides with cajun seasoning, dividing the seasoning equally among the filets.
Air fry
- Add salmon filets to air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not touching each other. This may need to be done in batches.
- Set air fryer to cook at 400°F for about 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Salmon is cooked through when cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, or it flakes easily when pierced with a fork.
Serve
- Remove from basket and sprinkle with parsley and serve with a lemon wedge.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
Chef Tips
- This recipe makes 4 salmon filets, which I’ve estimated will serve 4. However the exact amount of servings is up to you.
- Please feel free to adjust the seasoning blend to your tastes.
Oven cooking directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Mix cajun seasoning blend as directed.
- Brush salmon filets with oil and rub with seasoning blend as directed.
- Add salmon filets to prepared baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 8-12 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork, and the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- The exact cooking time will vary, depending on the thickness and size of your salmon filets.
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Janelle says
This was sooooooo tasty! My kids devoured it. Thanks!!
Catalina says
I tried the Air Fryer Cajun Salmon last night, and it was a game-changer! The seasoning was spot on and the salmon turned out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Sandra says
My husband loves this! So glad that I can cook salmon in an air fryer and it turned out perfect! It looks fancy yet very easy to make!
Krystle says
The cajun seasoning is such a good match for salmon. This air fryer recipe comes out perfectly cooked every time.
Beth says
The spiciness is perfect with with texture the fish gets when you air fry it. I really like this one!