Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon

If Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon has been on your “I want something healthy but I also want it to taste like a restaurant” list… hi, welcome, you’re in the right kitchen. This is the kind of dinner that feels fancy, yet it’s secretly easy enough to make on a weeknight when you’re tired, hungry, and one minor inconvenience away from eating cereal.

The sauce is sweet, tangy, and a little smoky—like it put on lipstick and decided to be confident today. And the air fryer? It’s basically your personal “dinner fast-forward” button.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon

• Fast comfort food energy without the heavy feeling afterward.
• Big flavor, small effort (my favorite cooking category).
• Perfect for picky eaters because honey + mustard is a classic “sweet-meets-zingy” combo.
• Minimal cleanup—and we all deserve less dish drama.
• Great for meal prep if you want lunches that don’t feel sad.

This recipe is also forgiving. Even if your day has been chaotic, your salmon doesn’t have to be.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the salmon

• 2 salmon fillets (5–8 oz each)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Honey mustard sauce

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Optional topping

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, but pretty!)

How to Make Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon Step-by-Step

1) Mix the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• honey
• whole grain Dijon mustard
• garlic powder
• smoked paprika
• lemon juice

Taste it (because life is short). If you want more tang, add a tiny squeeze more lemon. If you want it sweeter, a touch more honey.

2) Marinate the salmon

Take two-thirds (2/3) of the sauce and coat the salmon fillets.

• You can marinate for 30 minutes (ideal for deeper flavor),
• or toss and cook right away if you’re in “feed me now” mode.

Season the salmon with a little salt and pepper. Not too wild—salmon already has plenty of personality.

3) Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

If yours doesn’t have a preheat button, just run it empty for about 3 minutes. No big deal.

4) Air fry

Place salmon fillets in the air fryer basket (skin-side down if they have skin).

Now baste the salmon with the remaining one-third (1/3) sauce. This is your “glossy, delicious topcoat.”

Air fry for 7–8 minutes, depending on thickness.

5) Serve and drizzle

Plate the salmon and drizzle with any remaining sauce. Add parsley if you want it to look like you tried extra hard (even if you didn’t—and that’s our little secret).

Serve hot. Enjoy!

My Best Tips (So It Comes Out Perfect Every Time)

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Salmon needs a little breathing room, like the rest of us.
• Check thickness, not time. A thinner fillet might be done at 7 minutes; thick ones may need closer to 8–9.
• Want a caramelized top? Add 1 extra minute at the end. Watch closely—honey can go from “golden” to “oops” quickly.
• No whole grain Dijon? Regular Dijon works great too. Whole grain just adds a little texture.
• Sauce looks separated? Whisk it again. It’s not broken—it’s just having a moment.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

This Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon became one of my go-to “save dinner” recipes after a long day when I had salmon thawed… and absolutely no plan. I mixed honey and Dijon, tossed it on, and crossed my fingers.

My family took one bite and gave me that look like, “Wait… you made THIS on a Tuesday?” Now it’s in the regular rotation—especially on nights when I want something impressive without actually doing anything impressive.

What to Serve With It

If you want a full dinner that feels balanced and satisfying, try pairing with:

• Garlic green beans or asparagus
• Rice (white, brown, or jasmine) to soak up the extra sauce
• Roasted baby potatoes (air fryer them right after the salmon)
• A simple salad with lemon vinaigrette

Basically: anything that lets that honey mustard sauce shine.

FAQs About Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon

Bring a Little Magic to Dinner Tonight

If you’re craving something that tastes like you paid way too much for it—but you also want it done in under 15 minutes—Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon is your answer. It’s sweet, tangy, smoky, and feels like a “real meal” even on your busiest nights.

Make it once, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes your new “I can’t deal today but I still want to eat well” favorite. And honestly? That’s the kind of kitchen magic I live for.

Keep the Good Vibes (and Dinner Ideas) Going

• If you loved the sweet-and-tangy sauce in this salmon, you’ll probably fall hard for Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata—it’s bright, cozy, and feels like a “real restaurant dinner” without the stress.
• Want another easy seafood night? Try Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites for a fun, crunchy twist (hello, snackable dinner!).
• If honey mustard is your love language, don’t miss Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders—same sweet-meets-zingy vibe, but in handheld form (because some nights require carbs you can hold).
• And for an effortless veggie side that plays so nicely with salmon, make Maple Dijon Roasted Vegetables—it’s the kind of side that makes the whole plate feel extra special.

Now it’s your turn: If you made this Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon, please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐—it helps other readers pick a winner, and it absolutely makes my day!

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