Maple Dijon Salmon

This classic Maple Dijon Salmon recipe makes the most tender and juicy glazed salmon in just 15 minutes. This quick air fryer recipe will make weeknight dinners easier than ever!

Looking for more easy salmon recipes? Try my oven baked dijon maple glazed salmon or this honey garlic air fryer salmon.

Easy Maple Dijon Salmon Recipe

It can be hard to cook a salmon perfectly, especially if you like crispy edges and tender, juicy meat. With this quick and easy air fryer recipe, though, it’s a piece of cake! This salmon will come out super flaky and moist every time you make it, even on your busiest night of the week. And, the maple dijon sauce that goes with it is irresistible. Win-win!

This flavorful dinner recipe is healthy, too! Salmon is packed with protein, vitamins, potassium and more. Plus, this air fryer recipe is gluten-free, low-carb, and Paleo. If you were to score a dish based on convenience, tastiness, and nutritional value, this salmon would get a perfect 10! This is seriously my new favorite way to make a fish dinner… hands down!

Why You’ll Love This Dijon Salmon Recipe

Maple dijon salmon is constantly on the meal plan at my house. Here’s why I think you’ll want to try it, too!

• Sweet, tangy flavor. The glaze for this salmon contains both sugary maple syrup and tangy, somewhat spicy dijon mustard. It’s a classic combination that always pleases a crowd!
• Perfect texture. This salmon is tender, moist, and flaky on the inside, with a thin crispy layer on the outside. Yum!
• Quick and easy. Dinner done in 15 minutes? Sounds like a good deal to me! On days when I can’t be in the kitchen for too long, this dijon salmon recipe is a lifesaver.

Why Make Salmon in the Air Fryer?

I’m definitely thankful for the invention of the air fryer. Its ability to cook a perfect salmon in under 10 minutes is incredible! I’ve never gotten this good of a tender-crisp combination with another cooking method, even under the broiler in the oven. It’s a game changer for sure!

The air fryer traps the juices in with the salmon, and it doesn’t leave you with a huge mess to clean up. Factor in the super fast preheating time and the quality of the fish, and it’s clear that air fryer salmon is superior!

Recipe Ingredients

This dish comes together with fewer than 10 ingredients, maple dijon sauce included. All you need are the salmon filets, the seasonings, and a handful of ingredients for the sauce. See the recipe card below for the exact ingredient amounts.

For the Salmon

• Salmon filets – I highly recommend using wild caught salmon for this recipe. Farmed salmon simply isn’t the same in terms of flavor or texture. You can use frozen salmon, if you want, as long as it’s completely thawed. If you’d like to remove the bones from your fish, you can easily do so with a sanitized pair of pliers.
• Avocado oil – You could use another oil with a high smoke point, such as grape seed oil, if desired.
• Salt & pepper – Add the salt and pepper to taste.
• Lemon slices – I love the zesty flavor that the lemon gives this salmon!

For the Maple Dijon Sauce

• Dijon mustard – Equal parts mustard and maple syrup make this sweet and savory sauce shine.
• Maple syrup – Opt for pure maple syrup rather than the artificial stuff.
• Garlic – You can mince your own garlic or buy it pre-minced.
• Thyme – Use fresh thyme for the best flavor!
• Salt & pepper – Again, to taste.

How to Make Air Fryer Maple Dijon Salmon

Making this air fryer salmon may be the easiest 15 minutes of your life! It really couldn’t be simpler, and the aroma of the salmon cooking will make you swoon.

Here’s the basic step by step guide (the full set of directions can be found in the recipe card below):

• Make the maple dijon sauce. To a small bowl, add dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together and set it aside.
• Preheat the air fryer. Heat the air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes.
• Dry the salmon. Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel.
• Oil and season the filets. Brush the avocado oil on the flesh side of the salmon and season it with salt and pepper.
• Cook the salmon. Using tongs, gently place the salmon, skin side down, in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 7-9 minutes (depending on the thickness of your salmon).
• Add the sauce and lemon slices. After 5 minutes, open the air fryer, brush the salmon with maple dijon sauce, and place 2 slices of lemon on top of each salmon.
• Finish cooking. Close the air fryer and air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. Check for desired doneness with a fork.
• Serve. Remove your fish from the air fryer and serve!

Can I Cook Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer?

I get asked this question all the time. Can salmon be cooked from frozen? Yes. Do I recommend it? No. Fresh is always best. If you’re a texture person, I’d recommend thawing your salmon out. However, if you simply just don’t have the time, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the salmon skin side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then follow the rest of the directions in the recipe card.

Tips for Success

It’s an easy enough process, right? If you’re new to the air fryer or inexperienced with cooking salmon, these tips and tricks are here to help!

• Use filets that are similar in width. If some of your salmon filets are significantly thicker than others, it will be difficult to cook them all evenly. Make sure they’re pretty similar in width.
• Don’t forget to preheat the air fryer. Preheating the air fryer is an essential step for a seared exterior. The air fryer needs to be hot before the filets go in.
• Check for doneness. Use a fork to check for doneness so you know when your salmon has cooked to perfection. It should get nice and flaky.
• Cook your salmon in batches if need be. If you have a smaller air fryer or larger salmon filets, be careful about overcrowding your air fryer basket. It’s better to work in separate batches than to try and stuff everything in at once.

What Goes With Maple Dijon Salmon?

Salmon is a flexible main course that pairs well with pretty much every appetizer and side dish in the book! Here are some of my very favorite things to serve with mine:

• Veggies. Keep things healthy by serving your fish with roasted vegetables. My Paleo honey roasted carrots are a tasty choice!
• Pasta. For a super hearty and flavorful meal, serve your salmon with this easy burst tomato pasta. Talk about comfort food!
• Salad. My light and creamy goat cheese asparagus quinoa salad is a fresh and simple side dish for air fryer salmon.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Maple dijon salmon is super easy to store if you have leftovers! Here’s how to do it:

• To store. Keep your leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• To reheat. To heat up your leftover salmon, just pop it back in the air fryer! Preheat it to 360°F and heat your salmon for about 4 minutes. It’s that simple!

Can I Freeze Dijon Salmon?

Yes! You can freeze your salmon for 2-3 months, if desired. Remember to thaw frozen salmon in the fridge overnight before you reheat it.

More Easy Salmon Recipes

While I 100% swear by this salmon recipe, there are so many more delicious ways to cook this fish! Check out a couple of my other favorites:

• Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil
• Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil
• Pan Seared Salmon with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
• Pineapple Chipotle Salmon Tostadas
• Honey Mustard Baked Salmon
• Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Dijon Sauce

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