Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon and Herbs – Quick and Easy
Tender salmon fillets, quickly cooked in the air fryer with lemon and herb flavor. A healthy and delicious dinner in just 22 minutes.
Steps
- 1
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and brush both sides with olive oil.
- 2
Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried parsley evenly over both fillets.
- 3
Place 2–3 thin lemon slices on top of each fillet.
- 4
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Arrange the salmon skin-side down in the basket and cook for 12 minutes.
- 5
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Serve hot with your favorite side.
Shopping list
2 salmon fillets (170g each), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 lemon thinly sliced
Recipe story
In the royal kitchens of Byzantium, salmon was considered a gift of the seas, cooked with lemon and herbs to highlight its nobility. This modern recipe, adapted for the Air Fryer, preserves the essence of those lavish banquets, turning a dish once reserved for emperors into a healthy and accessible dinner.
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'.
Parsley
In Greek mythology, parsley was associated with death and rebirth, planted on graves to symbolize the cycle of life. Romans used it generously in cooking and as a remedy for hangovers.
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.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Lemon
The lemon is an ancient hybrid between citron and bitter orange, likely originating in northern India or China. In the Middle Ages, lemons were so valuable that they were given as gifts to kings. Fun fact: during the Gold Rush, British sailors were given lemons to prevent scurvy, leading to the nickname 'limey'.
You may also like
Air Fryer Tuna Steak – Quick and Easy Recipe in 12 Minutes
Fish
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp
Fish
Salmon stuffed with ricotta and harissa in Air Fryer
Fish
Air Fryer Tuna Melt – Crispy Tuna and Cheese Sandwich in 15 Minutes
Fish
Air Fryer Fresh Cod Fillet - Quick & Easy 15-Min Recipe
Fish