This easy everything bagel salmon is made with just two ingredients and is ready in under 15 minutes — a crispy, high-protein dinner that works in the air fryer or the oven, perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Everything Bagel Salmon
If you love salmon and want a fast way to upgrade it, this everything bagel salmon recipe is a must-try. The seasoning bakes into a savory, crunchy crust while the air fryer keeps the inside tender and flaky — no marinade, no breading, no fuss.
Cooking salmon in the air fryer is one of my favorite ways to make this fish. It creates a golden, crispy exterior in a fraction of the time it takes to bake, and the everything bagel crust delivers big flavor without a single extra ingredient. If you’re an air fryer fan, you’ll want to bookmark this one right next to my Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon and Air Fryer Salmon Patties Using Canned Salmon.
Here’s why this everything bagel crusted salmon earns a spot in your weekly rotation:
- Ready in just 15 minutes — start to plate.
- Only two ingredients — salmon and everything bagel seasoning.
- Flaky, crispy, and packed with flavor thanks to the seasoned crust.
- A healthy, high-protein meal that fits low-carb and keto plans.
- So versatile — air fry it, bake it, or sear and finish it in the oven.
Ingredients Needed for Everything Bagel Salmon
For complete ingredients, quantities, and nutritional information, keep scrolling to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Salmon fillets: The star of the dish. Choose fresh, skin-on fillets for the best flavor, moisture, and texture. Wild-caught sockeye or Atlantic salmon both work beautifully.
- Everything but the bagel seasoning: This savory blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and sea salt is what gives everything bagel salmon its signature crunchy, flavorful crust.
How to Make Everything Bagel Salmon in the Air Fryer
Making everything bagel salmon is quick, hands-off, and nearly impossible to mess up. Follow these simple steps for a perfectly crisp, flaky fillet every time.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about 3 minutes. A hot basket helps the everything bagel crust set quickly.
Step 2: Prep the salmon
Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. Dry fillets let the seasoning grip the fish so you get a crust instead of a slide.
Step 3: Season generously
Sprinkle everything but the bagel seasoning evenly over the top of each fillet, then gently press it in so it sticks during cooking.
Step 4: Air fry
Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, depending on thickness. Your everything bagel salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part.
Prefer the oven? Bake the everything bagel crusted salmon in a cast-iron skillet at 350°F for 5–8 minutes, until cooked through. For extra-crispy skin, sear the skin side over medium heat on the stovetop for 3 minutes before transferring the skillet to the oven.
Pro Tips for the Best Everything Bagel Salmon
- Pat the salmon dry. This is the single most important step for a crust that actually sticks.
- Season generously and press. Coat the fillets well and press the seasoning in so every bite of your everything bagel salmon is flavorful.
- Buy quality fish. Fresh, high-quality salmon cooks more evenly and tastes noticeably better.
- Keep the skin on. Skin-on fillets hold moisture and add flavor, and the skin crisps nicely in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd. Leave space between fillets so hot air circulates and the edges crisp.
- Cook to temperature, not time. Air fryer models vary — pull the salmon at 145°F for perfectly flaky results.
- Finish with acidity. A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the rich fish and balances the salty crust.
What to Serve With Everything Bagel Salmon
This everything bagel salmon pairs with just about anything. Keep it low-carb with roasted vegetables or spaghetti squash, or round it out with rice, quinoa, or a crisp green salad. For a fun surf-and-turf spread, serve it alongside my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs or a batch of Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings for game day.
Craving more salmon dinners? Try my Ninja Woodfire Grill Salmon Recipe, light and fresh Teriyaki Salmon Lettuce Wraps, or saucy Air Fryer Salmon With Mushroom Sauce.
Everything Bagel Salmon FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for everything bagel salmon? Yes. Thaw it completely and pat it dry first so it cooks evenly and the seasoning sticks.
What type of salmon is best? Both wild-caught and farmed work well. Sockeye and Atlantic salmon are popular for their rich flavor and firm, flaky texture.
Can I use a different seasoning? Absolutely. Everything but the bagel seasoning is the classic, but you can experiment with your favorite herb and spice blends.
How do I store leftover everything bagel salmon? Cool it completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy it cold over salad or reheat gently.
How do I reheat it without drying it out? Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until just warmed through. Skip the microwave — it dries salmon out and intensifies the fishy smell.
Do I need to flip the salmon in the air fryer? No. Flipping can cause the delicate fillet to stick and break apart. Leave it undisturbed and cook until it hits 145°F.
Can I cook more than one fillet at a time? Yes — just keep the fillets in a single layer without overcrowding so each one crisps evenly.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Sockeye Salmon (Easy 10-Minute Recipe)
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties Using Canned Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon With Mushroom Sauce
- Air Fryer New York-Style Chopped Cheese Recipe
- Air Fryer Spicy Italian Sandwich
- Air Fryer Baking Powder Biscuits
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Everything Bagel Salmon (Air Fried or Baked!)
Description
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin-on
- 1/4 cup everything but the bagel seasoning
- Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil, optional, for crisping
- Fresh lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Dry the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel so the seasoning sticks.
- Season. Sprinkle everything but the bagel seasoning evenly over the top of each fillet and gently press it in.
- Air fry. Place the fillets skin-side down in a single layer, lightly mist with cooking spray if using, and air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Serve. Plate, add a squeeze of fresh lemon, and enjoy.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the salmon as above.
- For crispier skin, sear the skin side in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 5–8 minutes, until the salmon reaches 145°F. Serve warm.
Equipment
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Cooking Spray
Notes
- Cool completely to room temperature before storing so it doesn’t turn soggy.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed through. Avoid the microwave, which dries salmon out.
- Freeze cooked salmon for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Only reheat the portion you plan to eat, as repeated reheating dries out the fish.
Nutrition
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