This crispy, smoky, slightly spicy parmesan-crusted salmon will knock your socks off! The soft, flaky baked salmon recipe melts in your mouth. Did I mention it's done in only 30 minutes?
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Salmon is a regular feature on our menu - you'd be missing out if it wasn't part of your weekly routine!
The parmesan-crouton crust is the perfect combination of crunchy, smoky, and cheesy goodness, while the fish is perfectly cooked.
The result is a dish full of flavor and texture, sure to leave everyone satisfied. Plus, it's an easy recipe to put together so that you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time.
🐟 Why You'll Love This Parmesan-Crusted Salmon
✔ A flavorful combination of herbs, spices, and parmesan cheese.
✔ This is a perfect dish to entertain guests, serve on holidays, or for your weeknight dinner.
✔ Juicy and flaky flesh.
✔ A simple and flavorful crust.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
🔪 Instructions
- Salmon - We prefer wild Alaskan sockeye with skin-on or freewheeling fish from the Pacific, but farm-raised Atlantic salmon is more affordable. You can use individual fillets, also called portions or steaks (as pictured), or a whole fillet (filet).
- Olive oil - Sub with oil of your choice or butter. *Do not use it if you want to discard the skin (see the Top Tip below).
- Mayonnaise - Your favorite brand.
- Grated parmesan cheese - One of the critical 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 use freshly ground black pepper mixed with 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 roasted cauliflower or as a rub for roasted meats and poultry.
- Croutons - Italian-style croutons add extra flavor, but you can also use garlic-flavored instead and gluten-free if you have gluten restrictions.
Step 1
- Combine all the spices with mayo and parmesan cheese; set aside.
Step 2
- Rinse fish with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Spread the parmesan-mayo mixture evenly on top of the salmon.
Step 3
- Sprinkle crushed croutons evenly over the mayo mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes in a 375 F preheated oven or until bread crumbs get toasty and salmon easily flakes with a fork.
📝 NOTE: Looking for the FULL recipe to print? Find the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the recipe card below.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- For an unforgettable flavor, don't settle for regular paprika when smoked is what you need. Smoked paprika has the perfect smoky-sweet taste your dish deserves!
- Don't overcook the salmon. Prepare it until it is medium to medium-well (135-145 F internal temperature) and the flesh is tender and opaque (*see the Food Safety section below).
- Let the parmesan-crusted salmon cool for at least 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
💡 Top tip
Wild-caught salmon skin is an excellent choice for those who want to try it, but it must be descaled and oiled. Otherwise, place the fish skin-side down on an ungreased aluminum foil. When baked, the skin will stick to the foil, and you can easily separate the flesh with a fish spatula.
👉 Variations
- Consider using other herbs depending on what you have on hand. Try dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, or marjoram.
- Try substituting parmesan with pecorino cheese, or use a combination of both.
- The mayo adds richness to the dish. If you'd prefer a less rich flavor, use egg wash to coat the fillets before topping them with parmesan and herbs.
- This parmesan crouton crust is also great on tilapia or other white fish.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Mild in flavor, it 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!
Bake salmon uncovered. It will take 6 to 9 minutes per 8 ounces of dressed salmon (as in this crusted recipe). Don't let your fish get overcooked - always check it at the earliest recommended baking time!
This salmon is an excellent main course to serve for a dinner party. Pair it with Swiss Chard and Potatoes and a simple salad like this cucumber salad. Or consider serving it with a side of rice and broccoli, green beans, or another favorite vegetable.
It is best to enjoy this dish fresh. However, if you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
✅ Food Safety
- Cook salmon to a minimum temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C), but if you prefer medium-rare, cook until the temperature reaches 135 °F (57 °C). Don't have a thermometer on hand to check the doneness? No worries! Just grab a fork and give it a little flake test. When the fish starts to separate, you'll know it's cooked perfectly.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw fish/meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw fish.
- Don't leave any seafood sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
🐟 More Delicious Salmon Recipes!
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Parmesan Crusted Salmon
EQUIPMENT
- baking sheet or pan
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 salmon steaks, or a whole filet
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional, see notes
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 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 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, parmesan, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, old bay seasoning, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and salt; set aside.
- Crush croutons leaving small chunks for the texture. This is done quickly by placing croutons in a Ziploc bag and hitting them a few times with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Rinse salmon with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place skin side down in a baking pan greased with olive oil or lined with ungreased aluminum foil (*see notes below).
- Spread the parmesan-mayo mixture evenly on top of the salmon. Sprinkle the croutons evenly over the mayo mixture - dust with more smoked paprika.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until croutons get toasty and salmon easily flakes with a fork; garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- For an unforgettable flavor, don't settle for regular paprika when smoked is what you need. Smoked paprika has the perfect smoky-sweet taste your dish deserves!
- Don't overcook the salmon. Prepare the salmon until it is medium to medium-well (135-145 F internal temperature) and the flesh is tender and opaque (*see the Food Safety section below).
- Let the salmon cool for at least 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- If you're not eating the skin (in which case it should be descaled), place the unscaled fish skin-side down on an ungreased aluminum foil. When baked, the skin will stick to the foil, and you can easily separate the flesh with a fish spatula.
- Bake salmon uncovered. It will take 6 to 9 minutes per 8 ounces of dressed salmon (as in this crusted recipe).
- Serve it with a side of rice and broccoli, green beans, or another favorite vegetable or over fresh salad greens.
- Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and updated in February 2023 with new photos and recipe tips.
Jasmin b says
This was really really yummy I found this recipe and your name is Jas too so I was like this is a sign. My salmon came out really well I enjoyed every bit!!!
Jas says
Welcome, fellow namesake (my full name is Jasminka). I'm so glad you liked this salmon recipe and hope it will stay on your menu rotation. 🙂
Sheri says
This looks delicious! Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Your post has been pinned!
Jas says
Thank you, Sheri! Have a lovely day.