This air fryer everything bagel salmon is one of the easiest dinners you can make. It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and the result is perfectly flaky, flavorful salmon every time.
The everything bagel seasoning creates this amazing crust on top that adds so much flavor and texture. Combined with a thin layer of Dijon mustard, it’s honestly restaurant-level good.
I love how little effort this takes. You just season the fillets, pop them in the air fryer, and you’re done. No babysitting a pan, no preheating the oven for 20 minutes.
It works great as a main dish with some rice and veggies on the side. Or you can break the salmon apart and toss it into a salad or a bowl.
If you’ve been looking for a quick, high-protein dinner that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or cleanup, this one is for you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Incredibly Flavorful Crust – The everything bagel seasoning creates a savory and crunchy topping that makes each bite of salmon taste amazing.
Perfectly Crispy on Top and Tender Inside – The air fryer gives the seasoning a golden crunch while keeping the salmon soft and flaky underneath.
The Dijon Mustard Is a Game Changer – It adds a subtle tangy kick and works like glue to hold that delicious everything bagel crust in place.
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
Dry the Salmon Really Well
This is the most important step. If there’s any moisture left on the surface, the mustard won’t stick properly and the seasoning will slide right off during cooking.
I use two or three paper towels and press firmly on all sides of each fillet. You want the surface to feel completely dry to the touch before you do anything else.
This also helps the outside get that nice slightly crispy texture from the air fryer instead of steaming.
Go Thin With the Mustard
You only need a very thin layer of Dijon on top of each fillet. It’s there to act like glue for the everything bagel seasoning, not to overpower the salmon.
If you spread it on too thick, the seasoning will sit on a wet layer and won’t crisp up. A light brush across the top is all you need.
I’ve found that using the back of a spoon works just as well as a brush if you don’t have one handy.
Press the Seasoning Into the Mustard
After you sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning on top, use your fingers to gently press it down into the mustard layer. This makes a huge difference in how much seasoning actually stays on the salmon while it cooks.
The air fryer blows hot air around at high speed, so any loose seasoning will get blown off and end up at the bottom of the basket. Pressing it down keeps it locked in place.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
You can, but you will get the best results if you thaw it first. Frozen salmon releases extra moisture during cooking, which can make the everything bagel seasoning soggy instead of nice and toasty.
To thaw it quickly, place the sealed fillets in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. Then pat them really dry before adding the mustard and seasoning.
Air Fryer Everything Bagel Salmon
- air fryer
- 2 Salmon Fillets
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
- Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel.
- Brush the top of each salmon fillet with a thin, even layer of Dijon mustard.
- Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning generously over the mustard layer, pressing down gently so it sticks.
- Lightly spray or rub the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the salmon fillets in the basket skin-side down.
- Air fry at 390F for 8 to 10 minutes depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.