This Air Fryer Salmon in Foil is an easy way to make tender, flavorful salmon without drying it out. The salmon is coated in a simple brown sugar seasoning that becomes lightly caramelized as it cooks, with smoked paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper adding plenty of savory flavor.
It comes together quickly enough for a weeknight dinner, but the sweet and smoky seasoning makes it feel like a little more effort went into it.
Air Fryer Salmon in Foil
If you’ve ever made salmon in the air fryer and wished it were a little more tender, cooking it in foil is worth trying.
For this recipe, the foil is formed into a loose packet or boat rather than completely sealing the fish. That gives the salmon some protection while leaving the seasoned top exposed to the heat.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon
- Quick: Average-thickness fillets cook in about 8–11 minutes.
- Tender: The foil helps protect the salmon during cooking.
- Sweet and savory: Brown sugar balances the rich flavor of the salmon.
- Easy cleanup: The foil catches the juices and seasoning.
- Simple ingredients: The seasoning uses everyday pantry staples.
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets, about 5–6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
How to Make Air Fryer Salmon in Foil
1. Pat the salmon dry.
Use paper towels to pat the salmon fillets dry. This gives the seasoning a better surface to adhere to.
2. Make the brown sugar seasoning.
Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
3. Season the salmon.
Place each salmon fillet on a piece of aluminum foil. Brush the salmon lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle the brown sugar seasoning evenly over the top.
4. Make the foil packet.
Fold the foil up around the salmon, leaving the top open or loosely tented. You want the sides high enough to catch the juices without covering the seasoned surface completely.
5. Air fry.
Place the foil packets in the air fryer and cook at 400°F. Begin checking the salmon at about 8 minutes.
6. Check for doneness.
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon. Once it reaches 145°F and flakes easily with a fork, it’s ready to serve.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
How Long to Cook Salmon in Foil Using an Air Fryer
At 400°F, salmon fillets cook fairly quickly. The thickness of the fish is the biggest factor in determining how long it will take.
| Salmon thickness | Approximate cooking time at 400°F |
|---|---|
| Thin fillet | 7–9 minutes |
| Average 1-inch fillet | 8–11 minutes |
| Thick fillet | 10–13 minutes |
Use the cooking times as a guide rather than an exact rule. Air fryers vary, and salmon fillets can have noticeably different thicknesses even when they weigh about the same.
An instant-read thermometer is the best way to determine when your particular fillets are finished.
What Temperature Should You Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer?
400°F works well for this recipe because it cooks the salmon quickly while giving the brown sugar seasoning enough heat to caramelize.
The higher temperature also helps develop some color on the exposed seasoning without requiring a long cooking time.
Should You Wrap Salmon Completely in Foil?
You don’t have to completely seal salmon in foil.
For this recipe, I prefer a loose foil packet or foil boat with the sides folded up and the top open or loosely tented. This catches the juices while allowing the brown sugar seasoning to brown.
A completely sealed packet will create more of a steaming environment. The salmon will still cook well, but the seasoning won’t brown as much.
If you want more color on top, open the foil during the final couple of minutes.
Can You Open the Foil During Cooking?
Yes. Opening the foil near the end exposes the seasoned surface to more direct heat and can help the brown sugar mixture develop additional color.
How to Tell When Air Fryer Salmon Is Done
Check the thickest part of the fillet with an instant-read thermometer. Salmon should reach 145°F for food safety and should flake easily with a fork.
The thickest part is the best place to check because it will take longer to cook than the thinner end.
Can You Cook Frozen Salmon in Foil in the Air Fryer?
You can cook frozen salmon in an air fryer, but thawed salmon works better for this recipe.
The brown sugar seasoning adheres more easily to a dry surface, and thawed fillets cook more evenly. If you’re starting with frozen salmon, thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning.
Can You Cook Salmon With the Skin On in the Air Fryer?
Yes. Place the salmon skin-side down on the foil and season the flesh side.
The skin won’t become especially crisp when it is sitting on foil. If crispy skin is your priority, cooking the salmon directly against the air fryer basket will give you a better result.
How to Keep Air Fryer Salmon Moist
The simplest way to keep salmon moist is to avoid overcooking it.
Start checking the fish toward the beginning of the suggested cooking range, particularly if your fillets are thin. If you’re cooking several pieces at once, choosing fillets with similar thickness will also help them finish at about the same time.
Common Mistakes When Cooking Salmon in the Air Fryer
Cooking by time alone
A cooking time that works for one salmon fillet may not work for another. Thickness matters, so check the fish rather than automatically adding several minutes.
Using too much seasoning
Brown sugar is concentrated, so you don’t need a thick coating. Spread the mixture evenly over the salmon for the best balance of sweetness and savory seasoning.
Adding too much liquid
The olive oil is enough to help the seasoning adhere. Additional liquid isn’t necessary and can make it harder for the brown sugar mixture to caramelize.
Crowding the air fryer
Give the foil packets enough room for air to circulate. Avoid making one large packet that covers most or all of the air fryer basket.
What Makes the Brown Sugar Salmon Seasoning So Good?
Brown sugar provides the sweetness and helps create the caramelized coating, while the other seasonings add layers of savory flavor.
Smoked paprika gives it a subtle smoky quality.
Garlic and onion powder add savory depth without overwhelming the salmon.
Black pepper brings a little bite.
Thyme adds a light herbal note.
The combination is sweet, smoky, savory, and salty. It’s a nice change from a traditional lemon-and-dill salmon.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Salmon
Because the salmon already has a flavorful seasoning, simple sides work especially well.
Try serving it with:
- Roasted or air-fried broccoli
- Rice or quinoa
- Roasted potatoes
- A simple green salad
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Mashed potatoes
For an easy dinner, rice and a green vegetable make a simple combination that doesn’t compete with the brown sugar seasoning.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Salmon
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3–4 days.
To reheat it, use the air fryer at a lower temperature for a short amount of time, just until the salmon is warmed through. Avoid overheating it, since salmon can dry out when reheated.
Leftover salmon can also be served cold over a salad or flaked into a grain bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put foil in an air fryer with salmon?
Yes. Foil can be used with salmon in an air fryer as long as it doesn’t block the appliance’s airflow or come into contact with the heating element.
Is it better to cook salmon in foil or directly in the air fryer?
Foil is useful when you want tender salmon and easier cleanup. Cooking directly in the basket gives the surface more exposure to the hot air and can produce more browning, particularly on the skin.
How long does salmon take in an air fryer at 400°F?
An average-thickness salmon fillet generally takes about 8–11 minutes at 400°F. Thin and thick fillets may fall outside that range, so check the thickest part for doneness.
Can you cook frozen salmon in foil in an air fryer?
Yes, but thawed salmon is preferable for this recipe. The brown sugar seasoning adheres better to thawed, dry salmon.
Can you cook salmon with the skin on in an air fryer?
Yes. Place the salmon skin-side down and season the flesh. The skin won’t become especially crisp when the fish is cooked on foil.
How do you keep salmon from drying out in the air fryer?
Avoid overcooking it and begin checking the thickest part toward the start of the recommended cooking range.
Air Fryer Salmon in Foil
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Place each salmon fillet on a piece of aluminum foil and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar seasoning evenly over the salmon.
- Fold the foil up around the salmon, leaving the top open or loosely tented.
- Place the foil packets in the air fryer.
- Air fry at 400°F, beginning to check the salmon at about 8 minutes.
- Continue cooking until the thickest part reaches 145°F and the salmon flakes easily with a fork.