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Air fryer cedar plank salmon gives you that smoky, woodsy flavor of grilled salmon — no grill, no smoker, and no waiting for coals to heat up. In about 15 minutes, the air fryer's circulating heat cooks the fish on a soaked cedar plank, sealing in moisture while the wood infuses each bite with a subtle campfire aroma. If you've ever wondered can you actually put a cedar plank in an air fryer?, the answer is yes — and this recipe walks you through exactly how to do it safely.

Air Fryer Cedar Plank Salmon

5 from 2 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Soaking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings

Description

Smoky, restaurant-quality cedar plank salmon made in the air fryer — no grill required. Tender, flaky fillets with a subtle woodsy aroma in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients 

  • 2 salmon fillets, about 6 oz each, skin on
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional, for extra smokiness
  • 1 lemon, half juiced, half sliced for serving
  • Fresh dill or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  • Soak the plank. Submerge an untreated cedar plank in water for 1–2 hours (1 hour minimum), weighing it down so it stays fully underwater. Pat dry before using.
  • Season the salmon. Pat the fillets completely dry. Rub with olive oil and season all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Brush on the maple-Dijon glaze now, if using.
  • Preheat with the plank. Place the dried plank in the air fryer basket and preheat to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  • Air fry. Set the salmon skin-side down on the hot plank. Air fry at 380°F for 10–12 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Add 1–2 minutes for thicker fillets.
  • Rest and serve. Carefully remove the hot plank and rest the salmon 2–3 minutes. Finish with fresh lemon juice, lemon slices, and herbs. Serve straight off the plank.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • 1 untreated food-grade cedar plank (sized to fit your air fryer basket)
  • Instant-read thermometer

Notes

  • Safety: Always soak the plank first, never leave the air fryer unattended while cooking on wood, and keep a spray bottle of water nearby for any flare-ups. Confirm your air fryer's manual allows a plank inside.
  • Plank: Use only untreated, food-grade cedar. A lightly charred plank can be re-soaked and reused once or twice.
  • Doneness: Pull at 145°F for juicy results; timing varies by fillet thickness and air fryer model.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 2–3 days, or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently at 300°F.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 35gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1240mgPotassium: 955mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 575IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg