If you’re looking for a super easy, crazy delicious weeknight dinner, this Dijon Dill Panko Crusted Salmon is it. The salmon is slathered in a mix of Dijon mustard, honey, fresh dill, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, then topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs and air-fried until perfectly golden. It’s got that perfect combo of tangy, herby, slightly sweet, and a little smoky from the paprika. I like to serve it with buttery garlicky green beans and some fluffy, bouillon-infused rice to soak up all the flavor. And if you’re feeling fancy, a quick lemon butter drizzle takes it totally over the top.
Components:
- Salmon
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- Fresh dill
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Panko bread crumbs
- Butter
How to Make Dijon Dill Panko Crusted Salmon
Prep the Salmon
Start with two salmon fillets and pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps everything stick better and gives you a crispier result. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Set them aside while you mix up the magic.
Make the Dijon Dill Mixture
In a small bowl, stir together a heaping tablespoon of Dijon mustard, a tablespoon of honey, one minced garlic clove, a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill, and the juice of ¼ of a lemon. This mixture is tangy, sweet, garlicky, and herby — seriously so good. Spread it evenly over the top of each salmon filet.
Add the Crunch (Panko Topping)
Sprinkle 3–4 tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs over the top of the mustard-covered salmon. Press it down gently so it sticks. Then give the tops a light spray with avocado oil — this helps the panko get nice and golden in the air fryer. I also recommend you add one more sprinkle of salt to the panko to make sure it delivers on flavour.
Air Fry to Perfection
Pop the salmon into your air fryer at 360–375°F for 8–9 minutes. The exact time might vary depending on the thickness of your fillets and your air fryer model, but the salmon should be cooked through and the panko crispy and golden. That’s it!
Make the lemon butter sauce
If you want to take things up a notch (and who doesn’t?), gently melt 1–2 tablespoons of butter in a small pan or in the microwave (about 10-20 seconds) and add in the remaining dijon mixture along with a little squeeze of lemon juice. Drizzle it over the salmon right before serving for a buttery, tangy finish that ties everything together.
Easy Sides to Complete the Meal
Garlicky Lemon Green Beans
In a skillet, heat 1–2 tablespoons of butter or oil over medium heat. Add 1–2 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in your green beans with a pinch of salt and sauté until tender-crisp. Finish with some lemon juice.
Savory Bouillon Rice
Rinse 1 cup of Italian-style or risotto rice about 4-6 times to remove extra starch (trust me, it’s worth it). In a pot, heat a tablespoon of oil, then add the rice, 1 bouillon cube, and lightly toast- then add in 1.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover, then reduce the heat and simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy (about 15–20 minutes). It’s simple, but super flavorful and the perfect base for the salmon.
Tips for Perfect Dijon Dill Panko Crusted Salmon
1. Pat the Salmon Dry First
Before seasoning, gently blot the salmon with a paper towel. This helps everything stick better and prevents the panko from turning soggy.
2. Press the Panko & Spray It
Once you’ve added the breadcrumb topping, press it down lightly with your fingers so it really adheres to the mustard layer. Then give it a light spray of avocado oil to help it crisp up nicely while it cooks.
3. Don’t Overcook the Salmon
This is a big one! Salmon should be buttery, juicy, and flake apart easily — not dry or tough. Keep an eye on it toward the end of the cook time. If it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center, it’s done.
4. Know Your Air Fryer
Not all air fryers are created equal! Some heat up super fast and cook evenly, while others take longer and have hot or cold spots. I use one that gets hot quickly and has strong, even heat distribution — that’s key for getting a crispy top without overcooking the fish. If your air fryer runs cooler or has a smaller basket, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cook time.
5. Crisp It Up at the End (Optional)
Want that extra crunchy top? After your salmon is cooked through, you can bump the temp up to 390°F for the last minute. Just keep a close eye on it — panko can go from golden to burnt fast!
6. No Air Fryer? Oven Works Too!
You can totally make this in the oven! Bake at 400°F for about 12–14 minutes, and broil for the last 1–2 minutes if you want a crispier topping.
Storage & Reheating
To store: Let the salmon cool completely, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 2–3 days. You can also store the rice and green beans separately if you made the full meal.
To reheat: The best way to reheat the salmon is in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to help bring back a bit of that crisp on top. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. If you’re in a pinch, the microwave works too — just do short bursts (30 seconds at a time) to avoid overcooking it.
Dijon Dill Panko Crusted Salmon
This Dijon Dill Panko Crusted Salmon is crispy on the outside, buttery and juicy on the inside, and packed with bold, tangy flavor. It’s made in the air fryer for a quick and easy dinner, topped with a zesty mustard-dill sauce and crunchy panko. Served with garlicky green beans and savory rice, it’s the perfect well-rounded weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Salmon
Dijon Lemon Butter
Green beans
Rice
Instructions
For the Salmon:
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Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Season the top with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, gently rubbing the seasoning in.
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In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, honey, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, and lemon juice until well combined.
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Spread about 1 tablespoon of the Dijon mixture evenly over the top of each salmon fillet.
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Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the mustard layer and press gently so they stick.
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Lightly spray the tops with avocado oil and a light sprinkle of salt.
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Air fry at 360–375°F for 8–9 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and the panko is golden and crispy.
For the Rice:
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Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
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Add the rinsed and drained rice along with the bouillon cube, and toast for 30–60 seconds while stirring frequently.
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Pour in 1.5 cups of hot water and bring to a vigorous boil.
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Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
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Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
For the Green Beans:
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Heat 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
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Add the green beans and sauté for 1–2 minutes with the lid on.
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Sprinkle generously with salt, then add minced garlic.
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Continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes with the lid on, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender to your liking.
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Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Prob best salmon recipe I’ve made. Made arborio rice on side, also very good. Didn’t need to add the dill butter, was very tasty on its own
I made it once, today repeating as the salmon made this way is amazing:) my kids loved it too:)
This was fabulous and FAST- a win-win!! I wanted a lemon dill salmon that wasn’t basic/bland and this is IT! It was tangy with a hint of sweet flavor we all loved. I doubled the recipe so had to wait a bit, as only two filets fit in my air fryer. So only tip would be if making 4 filets I would bake in the oven. It’s a keeper!!
This was really really good. I have to play around with the cooking times because I have a super powered air fryer, but only I would think that. People raved. And so ridiculously easy and quick to make. I used fresh caught coho salmon.
love it! made it for my mother with a baked potato on the side and it was incredible. will now be in my rotation!
Fantastic recipe – restaurant quality! Will yank the airfryer up at the end as suggested to get that extra crisp! Thanks for this!
Made it for my family and they said that this is was Michelin’s star worthy!! We couldn’t get about if it and made it almost every week in the past month.
I made this recipe last night for my partner and I, and we really loved it. The sauce was delicious, and using the air fryer was such as easy way to cook the salmon. This will definitely be in our dinner rotations.