Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Salmon fillets coated in a glossy sesame-honey sauce and air-fried until perfectly crisp, served with steamed broccoli. This asian-inspired air fryer ready in about 22 minutes pairs skin-on salmon fillets, sesame oil, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 2 cloves minced garlic in a small bowl until combined.
  2. Step 2: Place 1 lb salmon fillets skin-side down in air fryer basket. Brush with 2 tbsp of the sauce mixture. Air fry at 375°F for 12 minutes.
  3. Step 3: While salmon cooks, steam 2 cups chopped broccoli for 5 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Brush salmon with remaining sauce and top with 2 tbsp sliced green onions before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep skin-on salmon fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Air Fryer Sesame-Glazed Salmon?

Asian air fryer like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes