Description
Succulent air fryer honey mustard salmon delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors in mere minutes. Crisp exterior and tender fish interior make this simple dish a quick weeknight meal that delights home cooks with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each)
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse salmon fillets with paper towels, ensuring surfaces are completely dry. Apply a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper across each piece.
- Craft a velvety honey mustard glaze by vigorously whisking Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a compact mixing vessel until achieving a uniform, glossy consistency.
- Meticulously coat each salmon fillet with the luminous glaze, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Activate the air fryer, programming the temperature to 375F (190C). Allow the appliance to warm and stabilize for precise cooking conditions.
- Strategically arrange salmon fillets within the air fryer basket, positioning them skin-side downward. Maintain adequate spacing between pieces to facilitate even heat circulation.
- Initiate cooking process, allowing salmon to transform for approximately 8-10 minutes. Monitor closely for visual cues of caramelization and flaky texture.
- Validate doneness by confirming internal temperature reaches 145F (63C) and verifying fish easily separates when gently prodded with a fork.
- Delicately transfer golden-glazed salmon to a serving plate, accompanying with vibrant lemon wedges to provide a zesty, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, sweet glaze.
Notes
- Perfectly pat salmon dry to ensure the glaze adheres beautifully and creates a crispy exterior.
- Use a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve that gorgeous caramelized coating.
- Customize the glaze by adjusting honey and mustard ratios to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
- For a lower-sugar version, substitute honey with sugar-free maple syrup or use a reduced amount of honey.
- Space salmon fillets carefully in the air fryer basket to guarantee even cooking and crisp edges.
- Check salmon’s doneness by gently pressing the fish – it should flake easily and look opaque in the center.
- Experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika or cayenne for an extra flavor kick.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure your Dijon mustard is certified gluten-free and use certified GF ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and enjoyed cold on salads or gently reheated the next day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg