Air Fryer Everything Bagel Salmon

This air fryer everything bagel salmon is one of those recipes that sounds fancy but is actually super simple to make. We’re talking about 4 ingredients and less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

The everything bagel seasoning creates this amazing savory crust on the salmon that is so flavorful. If you’ve never tried this combo before, you’re in for a real treat.

The air fryer does all the heavy lifting here. It cooks the salmon perfectly – crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

This works great as a quick weeknight dinner or even for meal prep. Pair it with some rice and veggies and you’ve got yourself a complete, healthy meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Only 4 Ingredients – This salmon recipe uses just four simple ingredients, so you won’t need to buy a bunch of stuff or clutter up your counter with a million bottles and jars.

Ready in Under 15 Minutes – Between the quick prep and the fast air fryer cook time, you can have perfectly cooked everything bagel salmon on your plate in less than 15 minutes. It is one of the fastest dinners you will ever make.

It Tastes Way Fancier Than It Actually Is – If you served this to guests, they would think you spent serious time in the kitchen. The everything bagel crust looks and tastes restaurant-worthy, but you and I both know it took almost no effort.

The Dijon Mustard Creates a Perfect Crust – The mustard acts like a glue that holds the everything bagel seasoning onto the salmon while it cooks. It also adds a subtle tangy kick that pairs beautifully with the rich fish.

Ingredients

• 2 Salmon Fillets
• 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 2 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Olive Oil

How to Make

Step 1

Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel.

Step 2

Brush the top of each salmon fillet with a thin, even layer of Dijon mustard.

Step 3

Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning generously over the mustard layer, pressing down gently so it sticks.

Step 4

Lightly spray or rub the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Place the salmon fillets in the basket skin-side down.

Step 6

Air fry at 390F for 8 to 10 minutes depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Tips

Get the Salmon Really Dry First

This step matters more than you think. Use a paper towel and press down firmly on all sides of the salmon to soak up as much moisture as you can.

If the surface is still wet, the Dijon mustard won’t stick properly and the everything bagel seasoning will slide right off during cooking. You want a dry surface so everything has something to grip onto.

Don’t just give it a quick dab. Spend a good 10-15 seconds per fillet pressing the paper towel down until no more moisture is coming off.

Thickness of the Fillets Matters a Lot

The 8 to 10 minute cook time in this recipe works best for salmon fillets that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. If yours are thinner than that, start checking around the 6 to 7 minute mark so you don’t overcook them.

If your fillets are on the thicker side, closer to 1.5 inches, go with the full 10 minutes and then check. You can always add another minute or two if needed.

Try to pick fillets that are similar in thickness so they cook evenly at the same time. If one is way thicker than the other, the thin one will dry out before the thick one is done.

Use a Thin Layer of Mustard

You only need a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each fillet. A little goes a long way here. The mustard is mainly there to act as glue for the everything bagel seasoning, not to make the salmon taste like mustard.

Use the back of a spoon or a small brush to spread it evenly across the top. If you pile it on too thick, the seasoning layer gets soggy and won’t get that nice toasty crunch in the air fryer.

Don’t worry about the mustard flavor being too strong. It mellows out a lot during cooking and just adds a subtle tang that goes really well with the salmon.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
• Air Fryer Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Bites
• Air Fryer Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Air Fryer Cajun Cod Fillets
• Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to flip the salmon halfway through cooking?

No, you do not need to flip it. One of the best things about cooking salmon in the air fryer is that the hot air circulates all around the fillet, so it cooks evenly without flipping.

Keeping it skin-side down (or just leaving it in place if skinless) the entire time also helps the everything bagel seasoning stay put on top and get nice and crispy.

Should I use skin-on or skinless salmon for this recipe?

Either works great. Skin-on salmon is nice because the skin gets a little crispy on the bottom in the air fryer and also helps hold the fillet together while it cooks.

If you prefer skinless, that is totally fine too. Just make sure to lightly grease the air fryer basket so the salmon does not stick.