Air Fryer Salmon with Garlic and Paprika
Tender salmon fillets seasoned with garlic and paprika, cooked quickly in the air fryer. A healthy and flavorful dinner ready in under 20 minutes.
Steps
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- 2
In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Brush the salmon fillets evenly with oil, then sprinkle the spice mixture over them, covering completely.
- 4
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket skin-side down in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- 5
Cook for 10-12 minutes. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F). Serve immediately.
Shopping list
4 salmon fillets, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp oil
Recipe story
Salmon is a fish native to the North Atlantic and Pacific, prized in Nordic and Asian cuisines. Seasoning with garlic and paprika is a popular technique in Mediterranean cooking, where fish is often prepared with aromatic herbs and spices. In Scandinavia, smoked salmon is a traditional delicacy, while in Japan, grilled salmon (sake) is served with rice. This recipe combines the simplicity of modern cooking with classic flavors.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
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