This crispy honey garlic air fryer salmon is one of those weeknight wonders that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. The first time I tried it, I couldn’t believe how perfectly the salmon turned out — golden on the edges, flaky in the middle, and coated in a sticky-sweet garlicky glaze that had me licking my fork.
Air frying salmon is a total game-changer. It cooks fast, stays moist, and gives you those gorgeous crispy edges without turning on the oven. Plus, the air fryer makes cleanup a breeze!
The flavor combo of honey and garlic is a winner here. You get a sweet-savory punch that balances out the rich, buttery salmon beautifully. Add a touch of soy sauce and a hint of spice, and you’ve got a glaze you’ll want to drizzle over everything.
Start to finish, you’re looking at just 20 minutes. It’s beginner-friendly, weeknight-approved, and definitely impressive enough for guests. Let’s make it happen!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
- Salmon fillets: Skin-on or skinless both work here. Look for evenly sized fillets so they cook at the same rate. Fresh or thawed frozen salmon is fine.
- Honey: The base of our glaze — adds that signature sticky sweetness.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor punch. Garlic powder can work in a pinch.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami depth and balances the sweetness.
- Olive oil: Helps crisp the edges and keeps the salmon moist.
- Cornstarch: Just a tiny bit to thicken the glaze and give it that glossy finish.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick of heat.
Substitutions & Notes:
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
- Maple syrup works if you’re out of honey.
- Want it low-carb? Use a keto-friendly honey substitute.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Pro Tip: Starting with a hot basket helps get those crispy edges.
2. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir in 1/2 tsp cornstarch until smooth.
3. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt. Pro Tip: Drying the salmon helps the glaze stick and ensures crispiness.
4. Brush half the glaze over the tops of the salmon fillets.
5. Place salmon in the air fryer basket, skin-side down if using skin-on. Make sure they’re not touching. Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket — air circulation is key to crispiness.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 7-9 minutes, depending on thickness. The salmon is done when it flakes easily and reaches 125-130°F internally.
7. Brush with remaining glaze and air fry for 1-2 more minutes until caramelized.
8. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t skip preheating the air fryer
- Avoid overcooking — salmon dries out fast
- Don’t crowd the basket
- Skip the glaze at your peril — it makes the dish!
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Healthy: Use less honey or a natural sweetener alternative like monk fruit syrup.
- Low-carb/Keto: Swap honey for sugar-free honey or allulose syrup.
- Spicy: Add sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the glaze.
- Kid-Friendly: Skip the red pepper flakes and serve with a side of rice or veggies.
- Asian-Inspired: Add a splash of rice vinegar and sesame oil to the glaze.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
You can prep the glaze up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before using.
Cooked salmon keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or enjoy cold on a salad.
Freezing is not ideal once glazed, but plain cooked salmon can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Honey Garlic Salmon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
- Pat salmon dry, brush lightly with olive oil, and season with salt.
- Brush half the glaze over salmon.
- Place salmon in air fryer basket, skin-side down.
- Air fry for 7-9 minutes, until salmon flakes easily.
- Brush with remaining glaze and cook 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use tamari for gluten-free
- Swap honey for maple syrup or keto-friendly syrup
- Store leftovers in fridge for 3 days
If you give this crispy honey garlic air fryer salmon a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! It’s quickly become one of my go-to recipes for a fast but fancy dinner. Feel free to tweak the glaze to your taste or double it to drizzle over veggies or rice. Want another quick salmon idea? Check out my air fryer teriyaki salmon — it’s sweet, tangy, and just as easy!
