Crispy Parmesan Salmon Bake (Printable)
Tender salmon topped with a crisp, cheesy Parmesan crust baked to golden perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salmon
01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Parmesan Crust
04 - 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if required)
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
→ Topping (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
12 - Extra chopped parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Place the salmon fillets onto the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine the Parmesan, panko, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest. Pour in the melted butter and mix until evenly combined and crumbly.
04 - Press the Parmesan mixture evenly on top of each salmon fillet, covering the surface completely.
05 - Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the crust is golden and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
06 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy cheesy topping turns ordinary salmon into something restaurant-worthy
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes with almost zero active cooking time
02 -
- Watch closely during broiling because the crust can go from perfect to burnt in seconds
- Press the topping down firmly or it will slide off during baking
03 -
- The lemon zest is absolutely worth the extra effort
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes