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Home » Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer BBQ Salmon

Published: Feb 2, 2023 · Last Updated: Jan 21, 2025 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Air fryer BBQ salmon is so easy to make! This salmon only uses a few simple ingredients and can be ready in less than 15 minutes start to finish.

Air fryer bbq salmon flaked with a fork.

If you've seen some of my other recipes, you know my love for air fryer salmon.

I make air fryer salmon several times a week, and I love playing around with new flavors. But recently I realized I hadn't made salmon using bbq sauce. So of course, I tried it a few times and came up with a recipe for it.

And it's so good. Seriously. I can't believe I hadn't made this before. Adding this to the dinner rotation.

There are so many reasons to love this dish. First, salmon is healthy. And bbq sauce adds that delicious flavor that just makes me happy (coming from a Texas girl here who grew up eating delicious bbq).

Second, it's so easy! It only uses 6 ingredients! Four if you don't include salt and pepper.

And quick. There is zero marinade time required, no preheating time, and the salmon cooks up in less than 10 minutes.

Can you see why I love the air fryer bbq salmon so much? Flavorful and delicious, easy, fast. Perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillet - This can be fresh or frozen, but if using frozen, thaw completely before cooking.
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • BBQ Sauce - You can use whatever type of bbq sauce you love! I used a mesquite bbq sauce here.
  • Salt and pepper

How to customize

While I used smoked paprika to add an additional boost of flavor, you could use chili powder instead or regular paprika.

Instead of (or in addition to) onion powder, you could also use garlic powder.

If you want a little sweetness to your air fryer bbq salmon, add ½ a teaspoon honey or brown sugar to the bbq sauce and mix together before adding to your salmon.

What to serve with the salmon

If you're wanting to serve the air fryer bbq salmon with a side dish that is made in the air fryer, I recommend air fryer smashed potatoes, air fryer radishes, air fryer mini potatoes, air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer green beans and bacon, or air fryer lemon asparagus.

If looking for a side dish NOT made in the air fryer, I love these crispy battered french fries, roasted red cabbage, or smashed cucumber and mint salad.

Recipe notes

  • All air fryers cook a little differently. Cook time will depend both on your air fryer and on the thickness of your salmon. Thinner fillets may be ready at 6 minutes, while thicker fillets may take 8 minutes. (Mine was on the thicker side and took 8 minutes).
  • To prevent the salmon from sticking to the air fryer, either brush or spray the basket with oil or use air fryer parchment paper.
  • This recipe serves 1, but is easy to double, triple, or quadruple.
  • I typically cook the salmon with the skin on, and then remove after cooking. However, you can take the skin off prior to cooking if you prefer.

How to make air fryer bbq salmon

Take your salmon fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Place salmon on a plate.

Salmon fillet on a plate.

Season with the onion powder and smoked paprika. Then rub into the top surface of the salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Seasoned salmon fillet on a plate.

Add bbq sauce to the top and spread over the top.

Uncooked bbq salmon on a plate.

Brush or spray the air fryer basket to prevent salmon from sticking. (Or use air fryer parchment paper, like I did).

Place salmon in the air fryer basket.

Uncooked bbq salmon in air fryer basket.

Air fry at 400 degrees F (200 degrees celsius) for 6-8 minutes or until salmon is done to your preferred temperature.

Plate and enjoy!

Air fryer bbq salmon on a plate.
Air fryer bbq salmon on a plate.
Air fryer bbq salmon flaked with a fork.

More air fryer salmon recipes

  • Air fryer salmon with crispy skin
  • Air fryer brown sugar salmon
  • Air fryer pesto salmon
  • Air fryer maple dijon salmon
  • Air fryer honey mustard salmon
  • Air fryer miso salmon
  • Air fryer honey garlic salmon
Air fryer bbq salmon.

Air Fryer BBQ Salmon

Recipe by Aimee
Air fryer BBQ salmon is so easy to make! This salmon only uses a few simple ingredients and can be ready in less than 15 minutes start to finish.
5 from 33 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 13 minutes mins
Course Air Fryer, Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 273 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz salmon fillet
  • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon bbq sauce

Instructions
 

  • Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Place on a plate.
  • Season salmon with onion powder and smoked paprika on the top. Rub into the salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Top the salmon with bbq sauce. Spread evenly over the top of the salmon.
  • Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil (to prevent sticking) or use air fryer parchment paper.
  • Place salmon in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through. Plate and enjoy!

Notes

  • All air fryers cook a little differently. Cook time will depend both on your air fryer and on the thickness of your salmon. Thinner fillets may be ready at 6 minutes, while thicker fillets may take 8 minutes. (Mine was on the thicker side and took 8 minutes).
  • To prevent the salmon from sticking to the air fryer, either brush or spray the basket with oil or use air fryer parchment paper.
  • This recipe serves 1, but is easy to double, triple, or quadruple.
  • I typically cook the salmon with the skin on, and then remove after cooking. However, you can take the skin off prior to cooking if you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 294mgPotassium: 884mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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Comments

  1. Liz

    June 09, 2023 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    So simple and we loved the seasoning mixture!!!

    Reply
5 from 33 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I'm Aimee, and I'm so glad you stopped by! I love sharing easy recipes that are flavorful and delicious.
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