Oven baked salmon filets are tender and flaky and loaded with flavor… They’re a fast and delicious meal, made with only 5 ingredients and ready in 30 minutes. It’s perfect special occasions or busy weeknights! This post contains an affiliate link, read our disclosure policy here.
These salmon filets are delicious and so easy to prepare! This easy recipe can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven when you’re ready for dinner, so it’s great for entertaining too!
I try to make salmon at least once a week and have several salmon recipes in my rotation like glazed smoked salmon, grilled salmon and maple glazed baked salmon… But this parmesan crusted salmon recipe is one of my favorites because it’s nothing short of delicious and super easy to make!
Flaky Baked Salmon with a Flavorful Crispy Crust
Flaky salmon filets are coated in a savory mixture of parmesan cheese, finely chopped rosemary, and Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs. The filets roast to perfection, yielding tender salmon with a satisfyingly crunchy, golden parmesan herb crust. The irresistible combination is simple and satisfying… And it’s extra special with lemon dill cream sauce!
The Only Ingredients You Need
I buy salmon at Costco. It’s the best tasting salmon I’ve found. I like both the farm raised and the wild caught filets that they carry. You don’t need much to make Costco salmon filets taste good… But the ones from Walmart are a different story;)
The only ingredients you need to make delicious parmesan crusted salmon is thawed salmon filets, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs and 2 large eggs…. I also use the finely sliced fresh rosemary for another kick of flavor, it tastes amazing, but it’s totally optional.
In this picture I’m sharing the other ingredients I cooked with my salmon for a full meal: new potatoes, green beans, garlic and onion. I just roast them along with my salmon, and dinner is done… Super easy!
Why This Recipe Works
There is actually a little bit of “kitchen science” behind why this specific coating makes the best flaky salmon.
The Panko vs. Breadcrumb Secret: Unlike standard breadcrumbs, which can get soggy and dense, Italian seasoned panko has a larger, airier surface area. When mixed with the grated parmesan, the cheese melts slightly into the panko “flakes,” creating a structural “honeycomb” that stays crispy even as the salmon releases moisture during baking.
The Egg Wash “Seal”: The egg wash does more than just act as glue for the crumbs. It creates a thin protein barrier around the fish. This helps seal in the natural juices of the salmon, ensuring it stays tender and “flaky” on the inside while the outside gets that satisfying golden crunch.
High-Heat Roasting: By preheating to 425°F, we ensure the crust sears and crisps quickly before the delicate salmon fats have a chance to break down and make the bottom of the filet greasy.
Pro – Tip
How to Prep Salmon Filets
These salmon filets are so easy to prepare…. Working one at a time… Take a thawed filet and dip it in the egg mixture, turn it to coat each side. Immediately after covering the filet in the egg mixture, put it into the parmesan bread crumb mixture and turn to coat both sides.
(This works best if you place both the egg bowl and the bread crumb bowl right next to each other.) Then place that filet on the parchment lined balking sheet. You did one… Now do the other 3 filets!
Let me know what YOU think!
If you give this a recipe a try, I’d really appreciate a review or rating on the recipe card! You can also ask questions in the comments below. I answer them twice a week. 😉
Flaky Baked Salmon with Parmesan Herb Crust
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan parchment lined
- 1 Instant Read Meat Thermometer
- 2 shallow bowl for dredging
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets thawed
- 2 eggs large, whisked
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs Italian seasoned
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons rosemary OPTIONAL – fresh, thinly sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. And line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish whisk eggs together with a pinch of salt and black pepper
- In another shallow bowl mix your grated parmesan cheese with the Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs.
- Dredge the salmon filets in the egg mixture and then coat in the panko bread crumb parmesan mixture. Work one filet at a time, laying each coated filet on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add any other vegetables you'd like to roast along with your salmon filets to the baking sheet, if desired.
- Salt and pepper tops of salmon filets, and other veggies if you are using them.
- Bake for 15 minutes in preheated oven, then carefully flip each salmon filet over, and roast for another 10 to 15 more minutes till the internal temperature of each filet reaches 145-165 degrees F.
- Remove the baking sheet and salmon filets from the oven. Sprinkle tops with finely chopped rosemary, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About Juliea
Juliea is a mother of six, a sourdough baker, and a homestead builder living in Idaho. Alongside her husband and their horse, Dude, she manages a busy farmhouse and shares her love for scratch-cooking and simple homemaking. Through her blog and YouTube channel, she helps millions of families every year master the art of the handmade home.
2 comments
Dixie Clements
Who would have thought ?! Parmesan crusted salmon is my new weakness. Flaky, salty & baked to perfection !
Timber
Super healthy and a great flavor combo