Basil-Parmesan Salmon (Air Fryer or Oven)
I’m obsessed with this Basil-Parmesan Crusted Salmon recipe! I make this in the air fryer, it’s quick and easy, and the fish comes out so juicy inside.
Air Fryer Parmesan Salmon
So simple to make in the air fryer, combining a little mayonnaise, basil and Parmesan which creates a delicious crust even the kids can’t resist! Of course, if you don’t have an air fryer you can make this in the oven.
The Skinnytaste by Vremi Air Fryer pictured above is finally available for pre-order on Amazon (US only). This is the air fryer I used to create all my air fryer recipes!
Is Salmon Good In The Air Fryer?
Salmon is one of my favorite things to make in the air fryer, it comes out so juicy and cooks so quick! Although you may have to cook this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer, in the time it takes to pre-heat a regular oven, both batches will be done. I make this at least once a week and switch it up with different herbs, but what makes this fish extra special is the Parmesan crust, I promise you will love it!
How Long Do I Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer?
How long to cook salmon in the air fryer will depend on the thickness of the fish. I like to cook salmon at 400F and cook it anywhere from 6 minutes to 10 minutes.
Air Fryer Tip:
Spraying the food rather than the basket is usually advised, but for some foods that may stick, spraying the basket is fine. Avoid cooking sprays, instead you can purchase an oil mister and use your favorite oil, or buy a propellant-free olive oil spray with no additives, such as Bertolli 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray.
Air Fryer Basil-Parmesan Salmon
Ingredients
- olive oil spray
- 4 about 5 ounce each salmon fillets, skin removed
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, I like Sir Kensington
- 6 fresh basil leaves, minced, plus more for garnish
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Instructions
Air Fryer directions:
- Preheat air fryer to 400F. Spritz the basket with olive oil.
- Season the salmon with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Mix the mayonnaise with basil and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Spread completely over the top of salmon. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- In batches, air fry 7 minutes, or longer depending on thickness of the salmon.
Oven directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Spritz a sheet pan with olive oil.
- Season the salmon with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Mix the mayonnaise with basil and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Spread completely over the top of salmon. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness of the salmon.
Followed this recipe to a T and am so glad I did. It turned out to be probably the best salmon I’ve ever had. I used two salmon fillets that were right under 5 oz. each and cooked them in the air fryer for the 7 minutes. They were cooked perfectly. My husband wont touch mayo so I made sure he wasn’t in the kitchen when I used it 😉 he couldn’t even tell mayo was used. I’ll never cook salmon another way! Thanks for such an awesome recipe!
Awesome!!!
This looks great! It’s on the menu for next week. What is the salad you served it with?
Oh, Gina. This is now one of my favorite recipes of yours. This was so tasty and EASY! I’ve been a fan of yours since 2008 and use so many of your recipes. Thank you!
This was easy and delicious!
This is a keeper–easily one of the best recipes of yours yet! (And I don’t even care for salmon that much!) My husband went nuts for this as well, so I know it will be on our rotation for sure. Been “frying” my way through your new cookbook–the veggie leek frittata was made this morning for breakfast and is also to die for. (Tomorrow morning? I am making the breakfast pockets!) Love your recipes Gina!
Thanks Heather!
Another great hit with our family! Thank you Gina! This one is going into our regular rotation. Simple ingredients, simple instructions and fantastic results!!!
I am new to air frying, and tried ghis recipe. It was delicious! Thanks gina….love your recipes.
WOWOWOW!! This was my first time trying a Skinnytaste recipe and I’ll be back for more! This turned out so delicious and yet still light (I served it with mushroom wild rice). I am thoroughly impressed with the flavor combination – basil was an excellent choice – and am excited to try other recipes!
Our new fav! Excellent and easy!
I couldn’t believe how easy and tasty this was!
I made this last night and it was so delicious! My two-year-old grandson ate a full piece and asked for more. I will definitely be making this again! Thanks, Gina! Love, love your recipes!
Thanks Debbie!
Thank you… This was delicious, simple and so quick! Just what I needed on a day like today. I used mahi mahi since we’re not fans of Salmon. It was still super juicy and flavorful. I seasoned fish with pepper and garlic salt. Can’t wait to make it again
Gina
My son said this taste better than restaurant fish! Probably the best recipe thus far, crispy and so tasty! Thank you for making healthy eating so delicious
Erika
The pictures have shredded parm. Is it shredded or grated (like what comes in a shaker)?
I never use a shaker, you can grate it fresh or shred it, from fresh.
I made this for my family in my Skinnytaste air fryer tonight. The prep was easy and the air fryer cooked the salmon perfectly and so fast! I had 3 7-ounce filets and cooked them for 9 min. Even my 4 and 6 year olds loved it…although they’ve had a long standing love of salmon because of Gina’s teriyaki salmon recipe 😊 Will definitely be adding this to the dinner rotation!
Awesome!
Wow, what a great recipe. I’m just starting to like salmon – great flavor, moist, and easy to make.
Thanks for a great receipt, can’t wait to try another one of your recipes. It was so simple and easy, I’m making it for my friends when they come over for Game Night. They’ll think I slaved in the kitchen all afternoon.
They don’t need to know you didn’t! 🙂
Made this on the grill. Delicious! Thanks!
For one, I mixed 1 tbsp light mayo, 1 tbsp grated parm, 2 basil leaves. Easy, quick, and tasty!
What can I use in place of mayonnaise? No one in my family likes mayonnaise or sour cream or mustard.
Same was just going to ask.
Same wanted to ask too
I really think the mayo makes it, but you could try olive oil or pesto.
So yummy and fast!! I love the new Vremi fryer too.
Great I am so glad!
Absolutely delicious! Made it 2 nights in a row it was so good. Definitely will share this recipe with family and friends.
Delicious and not dry!
I do not eat mayo (at all), do you think I can sub greek yogurt for the mayo in this recipe?
This was so easy and delicious! I generally don’t like salmon but this was perfect.
What is the recipe for the salad? This looks delicious!
Gina, Gina, Gina!!! I will definitely be making this again! This was magically delicious!!!! I haven’t had a bad recipe from you yet. THANK YOU!
Thanks Aisha!
Love that crust! thanks for the great idea
Delicious!!!!!
So delicious and rich! The salmon came out perfectly in the air fryer. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
This was SOOOO Good!! Thank you!
This was delicious! I made it with light mayo because that is all I had. We made it in the air fryer. So simple and amazingly delicious. I sprinkled a little bit of whole wheat panko on top just for some crunch. This will be on our rotation!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it tonight! Wilmington, DE
Hi Gina, love your Skinnytaste Recipe book. Now trying your Airfryer recipes, making this salmon tonight! What’s the “Points + 8′” mean? I am familiar with WW Freestyle point. Thanks!
That is an older WW program. 🙂
Would it work with Greek yogurt instead of mayo?
Made this salmon earlier this week. It is delicious! I followed the directions for baking in the oven and the top browned nicely and the salmon was moist and juicy inside. I eat salmon at least once a week and am always looking for easy very low carb recipes. Love your website!
I’ve made this twice now, and it is so delicious!! It will become a staple in our house. It is so incredibly easy to make and full of flavor-perfect for a week night dinner!
I’ve been following & making your recipes for YEARS but just now saw this one and I was craving Salmon! If I HAD to choose 1 meal to eat for the rest of my life this would be it!!! It was literally THAT good!! And so easy!!! I did it in the oven since I don’t have an air fryer yet but now I’m curious and thinking I will go order yours!!!
Thanks Abby!
What type of salmon is shown in this recipe? We live in the Pacific Northwest, and have many options, but am curious what your favorite is.
Gina,
My vremi air fryer was delivered today. So excited.. can’t wait to try some of your recipes from the skinnytaste air fryer cookbook. You rock Gina.. thanks for teaching me how to cook. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! I hope you love it!
Can you use maybe cod instead of salmon? I have cod in my freezer
Should be good.
This sounds awesome! Do you think it will work with chicken breast too? My husband does not like seafood. Thank you!
There is a very similar recipe using chicken breasts from Hellman’s/Best Food Mayonnaise. It uses bread crumbs and no basil but I am on a very low carb diet so I make it with Parmesan, mayo and almond flour on chicken breast then bake. Sure you can find the recipe. The chicken comes out so moist and yummy.
Could this be cooked on the grill?
Just made this for lunch and served it over arugula that I tossed with lemon juice, parmesan, and basil. It was really, really delicious, super easy, and quick. Thanks for always having such great recipes.
I made this last night in the oven because I don’t have an air fryer. I added chopped sun dried tomato to the mayo mixture. This recipe was really delicious. Thank you so much!
Gina, is that full fat mayo or light?
Thanks!
I LOOOOVE salmon. Cannot wait to try this!
Full fat
Sooooo good!! Made it in the oven, this is our new favorite way to make salmon!
I did light Mayo and stillness AMAZING
How long can I store the recipe in the fridge? Just thinking about meal prep!
I wouldn’t do more than 2 days.
Does a convection oven produce a similar result as an air fryer? Many of us have limited space for large appliances. But if I would really have superlative results, I might try hard to find space! I guess I just wonder how MUCH better is an airfryer than a regular oven, or convection oven?
I’m not one to jump on the bandwagon of appliances like air fryer, insta pot, sous de vie, etc. On the other hand I LOVE to cook, and always looking for ways to produce amazing results in my kitchen….
Is there a convincing reason to get an air fryer?? Can you tempt me with good reasons, or do you honestly think a convection oven would produce similar results?
Gina, I’m considering purchasing an air fryer. What makes yours superior to others on the market? Mostly, I’m cooking for one now. I rarely cook fish in the house because of the odors. Would air fryer eliviate this problem? Love to hear your thoughts.
I used an air fryer and had ZERO smell. I never knew you could cook fish in an air fryer but it was perfect and super quick. No setting off the alarm with smoke either lol.
I despise mayonnaise! Is there a substitute you can suggest? Greek yogurt or sour cream maybe?
I really think the mayo makes it, but you could try olive oil or pesto.
Thanks! Maybe I’ll be bold and go for the mayo!
It’s definitely not going to taste at all like mayo. I make a similar salmon recipe all the time and the purpose of the mayo is essentially to use its main ingredients (oil, eggs) to keep the fish nice and moist under the breading/topping. The mayo itself just kind of cooks into an oil base, it doesn’t stay creamy at all. People get so freaked out over this ingredient!
Mine tasted exactly like mayo….maybe I used too much
Did you measure? It may also be the brand you are using.
I cannot use mayo. Is there a substitut
This comes out to be 7 ww points per servings, according to the values given in the nutrition information. Am I missing something?
Hi Kate. Are you using the recipe builder? The only accurate way to determine any recipe’s SmartPoints® value is to plug the ingredients into the recipe builder on the Weight Watchers website (Click on “My Foods,” select “Recipe,” and click “Create a recipe.”) which does not count fruits and vegetables in recipes in the calculations as they are now 0 points.
The SmartPoints® calculator isn’t meant for recipes and will often give you the wrong points (usually higher) because it’s counting the fruits and vegetables. So if you see a recipe with a SmartPoints® value that’s different from what the calculator tells you, now you know why.
Hi Gina,
I cooked this tonight and it was the best salmon I’ve had! I’ve just got a question about the Mayo with the WW points. Even when I put the recipe in the WW recipe builder in the ap it puts the 3 tablespoons of mayo at 19 points so makes it more than 3SP per serve. Am I missing son too?
Is it possible to brown chicken breasts in the air fryer before finishing in the oven?
I cook boneless, skinless chicken all the time in the air fryer. Just rub with olive oil and season the way you want. I airfry at 375 for about 15 – 20 min according to the size of the chicken. Comes out moist. No need to put in oven. Mayonnaise and mustard on breast is good too.
I have done a similiar recipe using chicken and tarragon
How long do you think the recipe would keep in the fridge? Just thinking meal prep as this looks amazing, but I’m always wary of how long I can keep fish! Thanks!
2 days.
Could defrosted frozen salmon be used?
I used defrosted salmon that I patted dry with a paper towel. Came out delicious in the air fryer.
Do you think any other herbs would be good? I have a bunch of cilantro in my refrigerator. I can’t wait to try this! I love my air fryer!
Parsley would be great, or even rosemary.
I have your new air fryer cookbook and love that you included toaster oven type air fryer modifications. For this recipe, would time and temp modifications be needed for the Cuisinart toaster oven/air fryer?
How long would you cook the salmon if you don’t preheat the air fryer??
I would add 2 to 3 min.
I have been waiting for this one since I saw it on your stories a few time. Looking forward to trying it!
enjoy!
Any other fish you might recommend for this same recipe.
Looks so delish! Where are the plates from?
Bet you this can be under Keto friendly.
My husband isn’t a salmon fan, what other fish can I use for him? Can’t wait to try this for my daughter and myself who love salmon lol
Hi! If mayo makes me sad, can I use plain Greek yogurt?
I am the same – mayo just isn’t my thing at all! I’m hoping there is an alternative l!
It will not be the same if you take out the mayo. Perhaps use pesto instead.
Hi! Is there a reason this recipe wouldn’t be considered Keto?
Yes I just forgot to label it.
Is there something you can use in place of the mayo? Sour cream? Greek yogurt?
It won’t be the same.
We have an egg allergy, you said that it will not be the same if you remove the mayo… But we don’t have a choice, Do you think sour cream would be better them yogurt?
Have you tried vegan mayo? (Veganaisse.)
Hellman’s makes a really good vegan mayo! Doesn’t taste sorry mayo like either.
Oops I meant doesn’t takes super mayo like***
Hello, Gina!
If i don’t have an air fryer but would still like to make this recipe but use my oven instead, what temperature/cooking time would you recommend?
Thanks!
425, oven directions are listed under the air fryer ones. 🙂