Air Fryer Garlic Lime Butter Salmon (Keto & Low-Carb)

Tender, flaky salmon brushed with a rich garlic lime butter and crisped in the air fryer in about 12 minutes — with just 2g net carbs per serving. If you want all the flavor of a buttery restaurant salmon without the sugar, this keto air fryer salmon is the one to bookmark.

I love a sweet glaze as much as anyone (my chili lime air fryer salmon leans into honey and it’s a family favorite), but some nights you want savory, low-carb, and done fast. This recipe swaps the honey for garlic, lime, and good butter — so it stays keto while still tasting indulgent.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Salmon

• Truly low-carb. No honey, no sugar, no breading — the garlic lime butter does all the work.
• Fast. Start to plate in around 15 minutes, which makes it a perfect weeknight dinner.
• Forgiving. The butter keeps the fillets from drying out, so even if you’re new to cooking salmon, it’s hard to mess up.
• Flexible. Works with skin-on or skinless fillets, fresh or thawed.

If you’re building a rotation of quick, healthy mains, this slots right in next to the other air fryer recipes on the site.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets: Fresh, firm, rich, healthy protein
• Unsalted butter: Melted, smooth, rich flavor base
• Fresh lime juice: Bright citrus, tangy fresh squeeze
• Lime zest: Bold citrus oils, extra aroma boost
• Minced garlic: Pungent, savory, classic flavor enhancer
• Kosher salt: Simple seasoning, balances natural flavors
• Black pepper: Mild heat, subtle earthy spice note
• Chopped parsley or cilantro: Fresh herb finish, colorful garnish
• Lime wedges: Extra citrus squeeze, bright serving touch

Keto note: the only carb source here is the lime, so each serving lands around 2g net carbs. Compare that to a honey-glazed version, which can run 18g+ sugar per serving.

How to Make Garlic Lime Butter Salmon in the Air Fryer

Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the garlic, lime juice, and lime zest and cook for about 60 seconds, just until fragrant. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Pat the fillets very dry (this is the secret to a good crust). Place them in the air fryer basket, skin side down, with a little space between them.

Step 3: Brush the fillets generously with the garlic lime butter, then season with salt and pepper. Cook at 390°F for 7–10 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part. Spoon over any remaining butter, scatter with herbs, and serve with lime wedges.

How Long to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

Most 1-inch-thick fillets need 7–10 minutes at 390°F. The single most reliable doneness test is a thermometer: pull the salmon at 145°F. Thin tail-end pieces cook faster, so check them first. As with my garlic, lemon and herb roasted salmon, it’s better to under-check and add a minute than to overshoot — salmon goes from perfect to dry quickly.

Tips for the Best Keto Air Fryer Salmon

• Dry, dry, dry. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Blot the fillets before brushing on the butter.
• Skin up or down? Skin side down gives the best texture, but either works. (I break this down more in the chili lime version.)
• Don’t crowd the basket. Air needs to circulate, so cook in batches if your air fryer is small.
• Fresh lime only. Bottled juice tastes flat here; the zest is where most of the aroma lives.

What to Serve With It

Keep the whole plate low-carb with roasted or air-fried vegetables, cauliflower rice, or a crisp salad. If you’re feeding a crowd or planning ahead, this pairs nicely with ideas from the weekly meal plan, and it’s a natural fit for any dinner menu.

More Air Fryer Salmon Recipes

If salmon’s in your regular rotation, you’ll want these too:

• Chili Lime Air Fryer Salmon — the sweet-and-zesty honey version
• Air Fryer Salmon with Whole-Grain Mustard
• Air Fryer Salmon with Mushroom Sauce
• Air Fryer Maple Glazed Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon Patties
• Instant Pot Lemon Roasted Salmon
• Air Fryer Firecracker Salmon

And if you love seafood in the air fryer generally, try the air fryer shrimp tacos or the air fryer shrimp po’boy next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air fryer salmon keto? Plain salmon with butter and seasoning is naturally keto. This recipe stays low-carb because it uses garlic lime butter instead of a sugar-based glaze, landing around 2g net carbs per serving.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer? No. Preheating doesn’t meaningfully change the cook time here — just add the fillets to a cold basket and start the timer.

Can I use frozen salmon? Yes, but thaw it first and pat it completely dry. Cooking from frozen leads to steaming instead of that buttery, slightly crisp exterior.

What temperature should salmon reach? Pull it at 145°F at the thickest point for flaky, fully cooked fillets.

Made this? Tag @forktospoon and use #forktospoon — I’d love to see it!