Almond Crusted Salmon (Oven-Baked)
This almond crusted salmon recipe adds a delicious crunch to buttery-soft baked salmon. Made with just 9 simple ingredients, including lemon, parmesan, honey, and dijon. You will love this easy + healthy dinner idea that’s ready in 30 minutes!
You’ll find many easy baked salmon recipes on my website, like this baked chili salmon or this baked harissa salmon. As a dietitian, I’m always trying to come up with new combinations for what is clearly one of my go-to proteins and this almond crusted salmon was another hit in my household!
It’s made with simple ingredients that you may already have on hand, like almonds, dijon, honey, garlic, and lemon. You may use either freshly grated parmesan or nutritional yeast (for a dairy-free option) – both are delicious.
As always, I’ve shared some nutrition benefits and a handful of recipe pairing ideas for what to serve this almond coated salmon with. It goes great with a refreshing side salad or some roasted veggies 🙂
Want more salmon cooking inspiration? Check out my roundup of simple, healthy salmon recipes for more ideas! We’ve got more baked salmon, pan-seared options, canned salmon recipes, and more.
About the ingredients
- Salmon: I like to use fresh rather than previously frozen salmon whenever possible. I find the texture is SO much more soft and tender! You can ask the people behind the fish counter to cut you 2 nice pieces of salmon for this recipe – I usually aim for somewhere between 4-6 ounce per piece.
- Almonds: Raw almonds are chopped into small pieces to make a “crust” on top of the salmon. They taste delicious when roasted in the oven and add the perfect crunch and texture to complement the buttery-soft salmon.
- Parmesan OR Nutritional Yeast: For a cheesy flavour, you may use either freshly grated parmesan (I like parmigianno-reggiano) OR nutritional yeast (for a dairy-free alternative) – it gets combined with the chopped almonds to make the crust topping.
- Garlic: I like to use freshly minced garlic here as it adds a nice bit of texture to the top of the salmon. In a pinch, you are welcome to use garlic powder instead. I’d aim for at least 1 teaspoon, spread evenly across the salmon.
- Olive Oil: Stirred together with honey, dijon, and garlic, olive oil is used to cook the salmon in the oven and to help the almond crust stick to the fish.
- Honey: See above! Used to help the ingredients stick together, while providing a subtle sweetness to this recipe.
- Dijon Mustard: As above, and provides a subtle mustard flavour which pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice ties the flavours together with a little acidity! Used just before serving.
- Parsley (optional): Used for a garnish and to add a little freshness. If you have some on hand, it’s a great way to use it up but not entirely necessary.
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Step-by-step: how to make almond crusted salmon
Start by combining minced garlic, honey, dijon mustard, and olive oil in a small bowl.
In another small bowl, combine chopped almonds with nutritional yeast (or parmesan).
Place salmon fillets in a baking dish or on a baking sheet. Spread the honey-garlic mixture on top, until the fish is evenly coated. Season with salt + pepper.
Then, carefully sprinkle and press the almond crust on top of the honey-garlic mixture until each piece of fish is coated. Transfer to the oven for 15 minutes!
How to know when salmon is cooked? You can check to make sure the salmon is cooked all the way through by cutting through the thickest part of the fish. It should no longer have a translucent-pink colour, and should instead be opaque with a whitish-pink colour. If your salmon is still a little pink, return it to the oven for a minute or two.
What to serve with this recipe
This almond crusted salmon is super versatile and pairs with everything! As a protein dish with healthy fats, I love serving it with a side of non-starchy veggies, a salad, and a healthy starch.
- For a light and simple salad – why not try it with this watercress salad (as pictured) or this kale walnut salad?
- For a side of veggies – this recipe would go so well with these honey roasted broccolini or this roasted zucchini with parmesan. You can cook them in the oven at the same time!
- For a starch – you can’t go wrong with roasted japanese sweet potatoes or some cooked quinoa.
For more pairing ideas, check out my roundup of salmon side dishes 🙂
Salmon nutrition benefits
Salmon is an excellent source of quality, complete protein, which helps to protect bone health and prevent muscle loss, among many other functions.
- a 3-ounce serving provides 17 grams
- a 6-ounce piece will give you 34 grams
In addition to protein, salmon is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3s. Omega-3s are known to support heart health, brain health, and to reduce inflammation overall.
On the micronutrient side, salmon is a great source of B vitamins like:
- vitamin B12
- vitamin B6
- thiamin
- riboflavin
- niacin
Salmon is also a good source of minerals like potassium and selenium.
Almond nutrition benefits
A standard 1-ounce or 28-gram serving of almonds provides:
- 3.5 grams of fiber
- 6 grams of plant-based protein
- 14 grams of heart-healthy fats
- 48% of the daily value of vitamin E
- 27% of the daily value of manganese
- 18% of the daily value of magnesium
As you can see – these nutritious nuts are more than just a tasty, crunchy addition to this salmon recipe!
Healthy Seafood Dinners Ebook
Enjoy this recipe? You will love my 118-page eCookbook of 50 easy, delicious, and nutritious seafood dinner recipes. Get instant access from your phone, tablet, or computer – ad-free!
More baked salmon recipes:
- Baked Chili Salmon
- Baked Chimichurri Salmon
- Balsamic Baked Salmon
- Baked Harissa Salmon
- Baked Salmon With Pesto
Did you give this Almond Crusted Salmon Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
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Get the Recipe: Almond Crusted Salmon (Oven-Baked)
Ingredients
- 2 fillets salmon (about 4-6 ounces each)
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast (or freshly grated parmesan)
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 lemon
- Salt + pepper, to serve
- Optional garnish: parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- CHOP ALMONDS: You can use either a chef's knife or a food processor to chop the almonds into small pieces for the crust. Feel free to have a variety of sizes for texture – some pieces will be really fine, with others a bit larger!
- In a small bowl, combine chopped almonds with either nutritional yeast or parmesan. Stir together well.
- In another small bowl, stir minced garlic, olive oil, honey, and dijon mustard together.
- Place salmon fillets in baking dish or on a lined baking sheet. Spread the honey-garlic mixture on top, until the fish is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Then, carefully sprinkle and press the almond crust on top of the honey-garlic mixture until each piece of fish is coated in the crust.
- Transfer the fish to the oven for about 15 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness (this may vary depending on your oven and on the thickness of your salmon).
- Remove from oven and serve salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with chopped parsley (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
- Leftover cooked salmon will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- If you have leftovers that you don’t want to reheat (I know that can compromise the texture of salmon), I’d recommend keeping them cold and adding them as the protein component of a grain bowl or salad the next day. It would make the perfect, healthy lunch!
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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6 Comments on “Almond Crusted Salmon (Oven-Baked)”
Excellent recipe, my family was delighted! Healthy and tasty, I will definitely make it again 🙂
Greetings from @cocinero.84 <3
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Luka! It’s so appreciated. I’m so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed this one 🙂
This recipe was a absolute massive hit at my wife’s birthday dinner. We live on Vancouver Island and we have salmon like almost every week. This was a to die for flavor with the Salmon and made me look like a rock star chef!
Hi Chris!! Thank you so so much for taking the time to leave this kind review. It makes my day to hear that this was a hit at your wife’s birthday!! So kind of you to make it for her 🙂 Hello from the mainland!
Super yummy
Thank you so much, Lori!!