Air Fryer Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon

This quick and easy Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon is tender, flaky, flavorful, and ready in about 20 minutes. The sweet honey balances the tangy mustard, while garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika add extra depth. Air frying gives the salmon beautifully caramelized edges while keeping the inside moist.

Servings: 4
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: About 20 minutes

🧾 Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets, about 6 oz (170 g) each
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, optional
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika, optional
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for serving

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the honey mustard glaze
In a small bowl, combine the honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

2. Prepare the salmon
Pat each salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the glaze adhere to the fish and encourages better browning.

Check the fillets for any remaining pin bones and remove them if necessary.

Lightly season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper.

3. Coat with the glaze
Place the salmon fillets on a plate or tray. Brush a generous layer of the honey mustard glaze over the top of each fillet.

Reserve a small amount of glaze separately if you want to use it for finishing. Do not reuse glaze that has touched raw salmon unless it is cooked first.

4. Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3–5 minutes.

Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil if needed to prevent sticking.

5. Air fry the salmon
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket skin-side down, leaving space between the fillets for proper air circulation.

Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches a safe internal temperature. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness.

For thicker fillets, you may need another 1–3 minutes.

6. Rest the salmon
Carefully remove the salmon from the air fryer and let it rest for 2–3 minutes. This allows the juices to settle and keeps the fish tender.

7. Garnish and serve
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Serve immediately with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower rice, or a fresh salad.

💡 Helpful Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cook in batches if necessary.
• Watch the glaze: Honey caramelizes quickly, so avoid cooking at excessively high temperatures.
• For extra flavor: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the glaze.
• For meal prep: Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days.
• For a lower-sugar version: Reduce the honey and use a sugar-free honey-style sweetener if desired.

🥦 Easy Healthy Pairing

For a balanced, protein-rich meal, serve one salmon fillet with steamed broccoli + roasted asparagus + a small portion of cauliflower rice. This keeps the meal filling while adding plenty of vegetables.