Air Fryer Maple Salmon Fillets: Quick & Healthy Recipe

Discover a quick and healthy air fryer maple salmon fillets recipe! With olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings, this easy dish is perfect for a nutritious meal in just 8 minutes. 

Life is busy, and we don’t have time to spend hours cooking. Many people order takeout or eat fast food because they think cooking healthy meals takes too long.

But guess what? You can make healthy meals quickly, even if you’re not a skilled cook, especially if you have an air fryer. I highly recommend getting one if you don’t have one—it’s an excellent investment!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Maple Salmon Recipe

Because it’s quick and easy, you’ll have dinner ready in no time!

This recipe uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry: salt, maple syrup, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and sweet paprika. 

And guess what? The slightly sweet flavor is totally kid-approved! Even your little picky eaters will be asking for seconds—trust me, I know from experience!

The best part is how long the salmon goes in an air fryer-only 8 minutes total! 

You might wonder if salmon needs to be flipped in the air fryer. The answer is yes—flip it halfway through cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1.5 lb salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika powder

Tips for Making the Perfect Air Fryer Salmon with Maple Syrup

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, salt, Italian seasoning, and sweet paprika powder until well combined.
2. Marinate the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the salmon, ensuring each fillet is evenly coated. Let the salmon marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), the best temperature for cooking salmon fillets, for about 3 minutes.
4. Air-Fry the Salmon: Lightly grease the air fryer basket; this is how you keep the salmon from sticking to the basket. Place the marinated salmon fillets in the basket, skin-side down, if applicable. Cook the salmon at 375°F (190°C) for 8 minutes. Flip the fillets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
5. Check for Doneness: The salmon should be cooked through and easily flaked with a fork. 
6. Serve: Remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious air-fried salmon fillets with your favorite sides (check below)!

Perfect Pairings for Your Air Fryer Maple Salmon Dish

Salmon is a versatile fish that goes well with many different flavors and ingredients. Here are some tasty ideas to pair with your salmon dish:

• Grilled or steamed asparagus with a squeeze of lemon.
• Brussels Sprouts: air fryed or oven-baked
• Sweet potato wedges or sweet potato cubes
• Steamed broccoletti 
• Greek Potatoes 
• Corn on the cob
• Fried rice with vegetables

What to Do with Leftover Salmon?

Got leftover salmon? Don’t let it go to waste! Here are some delicious ideas to transform your leftover salmon into new and exciting dishes:

• Add the salmon to your favorite pasta.
• Warm up the salmon in soft tortillas with avocado, salsa, cabbage, and lime cream.
• Stir-fry the salmon with rice, veggies, soy sauce, and some sesame oil.
• Roll up the salmon in a whole wheat wrap with fresh veggies and hummus.

Conclusion: Enjoying the Nutritious and Delicious Air Fryer Maple Salmon

Cooking salmon can be quick and easy, especially with an air fryer. You can make a healthy and delicious meal in just 8 minutes with simple ingredients like olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings. 

There are many ways to enjoy leftover salmon, from adding it to pasta or tacos to making salmon salad or wraps. With these tips and pairings, you can create tasty salmon dishes that even picky eaters will love. 

So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, try these recipes for a nutritious and flavorful meal!