Hot Honey Glazed Salmon | Simple Air Fryer Recipe
This air fryer hot honey glazed salmon is the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors! Ready in just 30 minutes, this healthy dinner recipe features tender, flaky salmon with a gorgeous caramelized glaze. The air fryer creates perfectly crispy edges while keeping the fish moist and delicious. Great for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests! Includes step-by-step photos, cooking tips, and serving suggestions.
Equipment
- Air fryer (any size that fits your fillets)
- Small saucepan
- Instant-read thermometer (optional but recommended)
- Small bowl or jar
- Whisk or fork
- Pastry brush or spoon for glazing
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce fresh salmon filets, skin-on
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup hot honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes *optional for extra heat
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Optional garnishes: green onions, cilantro, lime wedges, seasame seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the salmon: In a medium-sized mixing bowl or glass jar, combine the hot honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, grated ginger, and lime juice. Whisk or shake vigorously to combine. Pour ⅓ of the marinade over the salmon filets and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the glaze: While the salmon marinates, cook down the remaining marinade to create the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Pour in the remaining ⅔ of the marinade and bring to a simmer. Allow to cook down and thicken until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Preheat air fryer and prepare the salmon: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray if desired. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer preheats, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season with a small amount of sea salt and black pepper. Then coat the tops of the salmon fillets generously with the hot honey glaze.
- Air fry: Place the salmon in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 6 minutes. Open the air fryer and brush the salmon with an additional layer of glaze. Reserve the remaining glaze for serving. Continue to cook the salmon for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon and the model of air fryer. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Salmon is perfectly cooked at 125–130°F (medium doneness). For well-done salmon, cook to 145°F.
- Finish: Let salmon rest for 2 minutes. Drizzle with remaining glaze and garnish with lime wedges, cilantro, green onions, or toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Top Tips
- Don't Overcrowd: Leave space between fillets in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Know Your Airfryer: Different air fryers cook differently. The size of the basket and air flow of your air fryer might mean adjustments to the cooking time and temperature. Smaller baskets may need less cook time and a lower temperature than larger models.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer: Salmon is perfectly cooked at 125–130°F (medium doneness). For more well-done salmon, cook to 145°F.
- Choose the Right Thickness: Aim for fillets that are 1-1.25 inches thick for even cooking. Thinner pieces will cook too quickly and may dry out.
- Don't Skip the Pat-Down: Thoroughly drying the salmon before seasoning is crucial for proper seasoning adherence and achieving crispy skin.
- Watch the Glaze: Hot honey can burn quickly due to its sugar content. If your air fryer runs hot, reduce the final cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Preheat is Key: A properly preheated air fryer ensures immediate searing and better texture.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The glaze may thicken when cold but will loosen when reheated gently.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Avoid microwaving as it can make the salmon rubbery.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
Substitutions and Variations for Easy Salmon Recipe
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Cooking method variations:
- Oven: Bake salmon in a 425°F oven for 12-15 minutes, skin side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Stovetop: Pan-sear in a skillet with oil over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
- No spicy honey? Make your own by mixing 4 tablespoons of honey with ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha. Let it infuse for 10 minutes before using.
- Soy sauce alternatives: Swap with tamari (gluten-free) or coconut aminos for a lighter flavor.
- Citrus twist: Substitute lime with lemon juice or orange juice.
- Ginger Substitutions: ½ teaspoon ground ginger can replace fresh ginger, although fresh ginger provides a better flavor.
- Spice Level Adjustments: Add red pepper flakes for more heat, or use regular honey if you prefer no heat at all.
Nutrition
Calories: 502kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 40gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 3646mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16g
Nutrition Facts
Hot Honey Glazed Salmon | Simple Air Fryer Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
502
% Daily Value*
Fat
29
g
45
%
Saturated Fat
9
g
56
%
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Cholesterol
108
mg
36
%
Sodium
3646
mg
159
%
Potassium
307
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
22
g
7
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
16
g
18
%
Protein
40
g
80
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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