Air Fryer Salmon Tacos Slaw (Print Version)

Crispy salmon paired with crunchy cabbage slaw, served on warm corn tortillas for a quick nutritious meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets (4 oz each), skinless
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Cabbage Slaw

07 - 2 cups shredded cabbage (red or green)
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
12 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For Serving

13 - 8 small corn tortillas

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Rub each fillet evenly with olive oil, then season with chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
02 - Set air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and preheat for 2 minutes.
03 - While air fryer preheats, combine shredded cabbage, cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
04 - Arrange salmon fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Adjust cooking time based on fillet thickness.
05 - While salmon cooks, warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a microwave until pliable.
06 - Flake cooked salmon into large pieces. Layer salmon onto each tortilla, top generously with slaw, and garnish with additional cilantro or lime juice. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Dinner is actually ready in 25 minutes, which means you're eating before your energy crashes.
  • The slaw is bright and tangy enough to feel fresh without being precious about it.
  • Air frying salmon means no fishy smell lingering in your kitchen or making your neighbors wonder what you're doing.
02 -
  • Wet salmon won't get crispy, so that paper towel step isn't optional—it's the difference between a mediocre taco and one you'll crave.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; give each fillet breathing room so the heat circulates evenly and the outside crisps instead of steaming.
03 -
  • Make the slaw first so it has time to meld while you're cooking—this 5-minute rest makes a real difference in flavor depth.
  • If your salmon fillets are particularly thick, add a minute or two to the cooking time, but start checking at 8 minutes so you don't accidentally overcook and dry them out.
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