Looking for a new, super delicious fish recipe that is easy to make? This best ever crusted salmon recipe will knock your socks off! The crispy, smoky, and slightly spicy crust matches the soft, flaky salmon flesh perfectly. Did I mention it's done in only 30 minutes?
Do you ever send your husband shopping with a detailed description of what you need and he brings home...not that? I'm lucky enough that my husband loves shopping, so I know he doesn't do it on purpose just to get out of the chore.
However, a good percentage of my posts are created with something he bought "wrong" or in excess. Like that time I had four pounds of yogurt to use and made this yogurt cake and thousand other things, lol.
I guess his favorite number is four because when I sent him to buy me a salmon filet, for the two of us, I got a four-pounder, ha! The fillet was so big, I baked it on the largest cookie sheet I own, placed diagonally, and the tail side was still hanging over a bit. A huge hunk of fish for $40. But it was worth every penny!
We ate overate the salmon in two days and would eat it for two more if we had enough of it. Man, was it good! The best! This time I wasn't mad at him for buying more than needed.
Ingredients for The Best Crusted Salmon Recipe
- Atlantic salmon - we used a large whole fillet, but you can use individual pieces
- Olive oil - sub with oil of your choice or butter
- Mayonnaise - your favorite brand
- Grated parmesan cheese - one of the key ingredients for this dish!
- Italian seasoning - I found this herb grinder to taste the best.
- Cayenne pepper - add more if you like extra heat
- Old Bay seasoning - I urge you to pick up this seasoning. I always use it on fish and chicken, but it's also great on anything else, including salads!
- Lemon pepper seasoning - you can also use pepper and a lemon zest
- Smoked paprika - don't substitute with Hungarian paprika! This smoked version adds a deep flavor and color. You can always use leftovers in other dishes like this roasted cauliflower and Spanish tapas dishes, or use as a rub for roasted meats and poultry.
- Salt - to taste
- Italian style croutons - you can use garlic-flavored croutons instead and gluten-free if you have gluten restrictions.
How to Make The Best Crusted Salmon Recipe:
- Rinse salmon with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Place skin side down in a baking dish greased with olive oil.
- In a small bowl combine all ingredients except the croutons. Spread evenly over the salmon.
- Sprinkle crushed croutons evenly over the mayo mixture. Dust with more smoked paprika.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes in 350 F preheated oven or until bread crumbs get toasty and salmon easily flakes with a fork.
Why is salmon good for you?
Mild in flavor, salmon has a juicy meat texture. Amino acids in fish lower blood sugar levels. Salmon is beneficial for diabetics and those who want to prevent this disease.
The combined action of the antioxidants selenium, vitamin D, and omega-3 acids stimulates the action of insulin. As a result, sugar is absorbed faster and its level in the blood decreases. Enough reasons to include this healthy and delicious meal in your menu rotation!
Recipe Tips
- Don't substitute smoked paprika with the regular one, it will lack flavor.
- Serve with a side of rice and broccoli or another favorite vegetable.
- This is a perfect dish to entertain your guests, to serve on holidays, or your weeknight dinner.
More delicious salmon recipes you will love:
- CUBAN MARINATED GRILLED SALMON
- CHINESE PAN-FRIED SALMON
- HONEY MUSTARD GLAZED SALMON FILET
- BLACKENED SALMON FOCACCIA
The Best Crusted Salmon Recipe
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Small mixing bowl
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Atlantic salmon fillet whole or 4 individual pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more
- 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Italian style croutons
- fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse salmon with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place skin side down in a baking pan greased with olive oil.
- In a small bowl combine the mayo, parmesan, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, old bay seasoning, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and salt. Spread evenly over the salmon.
- Crush croutons leaving some bigger pieces for the texture. This is done easily by placing croutons in a Ziploc bag and hitting it a few times with a meat mallet or use a rolling pin. Sprinkle the croutons evenly over the mayo mixture. Dust with more smoked paprika.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bread crumbs get toasty and salmon easily flakes with a fork. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Don't substitute smoked paprika with the regular one, it will lack flavor.
- Serve with a side of rice and broccoli or another favorite vegetable.
- This is a perfect dish to entertain your guest, to serve on holidays, or your weeknight dinner.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used.
This looks delicious! Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Your post has been pinned!
Thank you, Sheri! Have a lovely day.
This looks amazing Jas! I love salmon and love the idea of having one with a bit of crunch!
Thanks, Jelica! The crunch is perfect with the tender flesh. 🙂
I just pinned this delicious Crusted Salmon! Thanks so much for sharing with us at our Thanksgiving Edition of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you, and thanks for the 5-star review! We LOVE this recipe.
I am a big salmon fan and this recipe looks fantastic Jas
Thanks for the 5-star review, Amber. This recipe is my favorite!
Hi Jas, I was so glad to see that you had shared this recipe at Party in Your PJs! I am trying to find more fish recipes and this sounds delicious! I will be trying it very soon. I pinned and shared on social media.
I'm so glad you like it, Teresa! Thank you and have a great week!
This looks YUMMY!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy!
That crust looks amazing! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
Thank you!
I never would send my hubby shopping as he would come home with everything except for what I sent him to get. I love salmon and you have indeed created a wonderful crust with lots of good flavors. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday.
Good to know my husband is not the only one, lol. Thanks, Judith!
I can see why you call this the best! It looks exquisite!
Mollie
Thank you, Mollie! 🙂
Hmm... I love salmon. Add cheese and cayenne to it, I love it even more. This recipe looks really delicious.
Thank you, it really is so delicious. 🙂
This looks really delicious. I eat a lot of salmon so I'm always on the hunt for new ideas. Thanks so much. #BrilliantBlogPosts
Thanks, Sam!
I have made salmon with a parmesan crust before and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I don't' think you can go wrong with salmon, no matter what 🙂
This looks delicious! I’m pinning so I can try it as soon as Thanksgiving is over.
Thank you, Donna! Let me know how you liked it. 😀 Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving!
Hello Jas, this salmon dish looks delicious. I would love to make this sometime.
Thanks for sharing the recipe at Cooking and Crafting with J&J.
Enjoy the week.
Julie
Hello Julie, I hope you make it someday and let me know how you liked it 🙂
Wow! This looks like a very delicious meal!! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jhuls! We are obsessed with it, LOL.
That sounds so yummy and flavorful. We make a similar dish with chicken and pork so I can't wait to try this with salmon. Pinned.
Oh, I never tried it on chicken or pork for the fear of my topping getting burned before the meat is done. Do tell, please! I'm intrigued 😀
When I was a kid there were years when we ate the regular prairie proteins (beef, pork, chicken) and some years (my Dad was a Search & Rescue Leader=travel to remote areas) when we ate all wild. My family never did live by an ocean (though I did for a lot of years as an adult - but still gained no better palette (sp?) because, happy meal budget: spoiler - no fresh salmon at McDs).
I've eaten a lot of pike, a lot of pickerel, a lot of trout, some cod, and even some ling (tip: eat it HOT), but that's my fresh fish experience.
So my Mom was Queen of tinned Salmon... she loved it. She made us love it, whether we wanted to or not. I still love it (had to be said). You won't ever have to share your fresh salmon with a rube like me, but give me a tinned salmon cake recipe & I'll be all over it.
Mrs. Shoes, when I was a kid I hated food. I mean, I HATED it! Not just some dishes, but food in general. Mom was dragging me to doctors all the time to find out what was wrong with me. No appetite and gag reflex on food. That all changed when I got pregnant with my daughter. Look at me now, ha! Mom was and is an excellent cook, but if I'd only cook what she cooked, I'd be rotating same meals over and over. If I'd only eat what I ate as a child, I'd be as skinny as then, lol! Thankfully, my palate changed and I love exploring new flavors and gaining a new appreciation for food. Life would be so boring otherwise. 😉