Air Fryer Salmon and Brussels Sprouts
This 20-minute wonder pairs tender, flaky salmon with caramelized Brussels sprouts, all cooked together in your air fryer. The natural oils from the salmon flavor the vegetables while simple seasonings let the quality ingredients shine through for a nutritious, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets 6-8 oz each, skin-on
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. This ensures proper cooking temperature right from the start.
- Prepare the Brussels sprouts by placing them in a bowl and tossing with 1½ tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, half the minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they begin to brown on the edges.
- Meanwhile, prepare the salmon by patting fillets dry with paper towels (this is crucial for crispy skin). In a small bowl, mix remaining olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, smoked paprika, and remaining salt and pepper.
- Brush the salmon fillets with the seasoning mixture on all sides, making sure to coat evenly.
- Push the Brussels sprouts to the sides of the air fryer basket, creating space in the center. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the center.
- Reduce temperature to 370°F (185°C) and cook for 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F or flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges, placing the salmon over a bed of the Brussels sprouts for an attractive presentation.
Notes
- For extra crispy salmon skin, pat the skin very dry before cooking.
- If your air fryer is small, cook the Brussels sprouts first, then set them aside covered with foil while you cook the salmon, and combine when serving.
- This recipe works beautifully with frozen salmon too—just add 3-4 minutes to the cooking time.
- For meal prep, you can trim and halve the Brussels sprouts up to 2 days in advance.
- The seasoning mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator.