🍋 How to Make Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus

Quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor—this Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon with Asparagus is a weeknight dinner winner. It’s elegant enough for date night, but simple enough to throw together on a busy evening.

You’ll love how the salmon stays juicy with a golden crust, while the asparagus roasts to crisp-tender perfection—all in one air fryer basket!

đź›’ Ingredients

For the salmon:

  • 2 salmon fillets (skin-on or off, your choice)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • 2 thin lemon slices (for topping)

For the asparagus:

  • 200g (about 1 bunch) fresh asparagus, trimmed
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper
  • Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or crushed red pepper

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Marinade

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, salt, and pepper. Brush this mixture over both sides of the salmon fillets. Let them sit for 10 minutes while you prep the asparagus.

2. Season the Asparagus

Toss the trimmed asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or chili flakes.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 3 minutes.

4. Cook

Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the basket. Add the asparagus to one side, making sure everything’s in a single layer. Top each fillet with a lemon slice.

Air fry for 8–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. It’s ready when the fish flakes easily with a fork and the asparagus is tender with slight browning on the tips.

🔥 Tip: For extra crispy asparagus, you can air fry them solo for 1–2 more minutes after removing the salmon.

🍽️ How to Serve

This dish shines on its own, but you can easily make it a full meal by adding:

  • Steamed rice or quinoa
  • Garlic mashed potatoes
  • A simple side salad with vinaigrette

🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Reheat: Gently reheat in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3–4 minutes.

đź’ˇ Quick Tips

  • Choose even-sized fillets for consistent cooking.
  • Skin-on salmon helps retain moisture and adds crisp texture.
  • Add a few cherry tomatoes to the asparagus mix for a pop of sweetness and color!

🌟 Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus is the ultimate no-stress, high-reward meal. You get perfectly cooked fish, vibrant veggies, and a light lemony finish—all in under 20 minutes. Clean eating has never been this tasty or easy.