Baked Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumbs

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This recipe for Baked Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumbs is the best of the best. So simple, so flavorful and ready in about 20 minutes. Fancy enough for company or a dinner party but fast enough for dinner on busy weeknights. Serve alongside some butter rice and Roasted Green Beans.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon Recipe

So thrilled to be sharing this Baked Salmon recipe with you today! I have been making this for years because it’s my go-to recipe that never fails to impress. The best compliment to a beautiful piece of salmon is a crisp garlic and parmesan bread crumb topping. Everyone loves it and never are there leftovers. It’s the only baked salmon recipe you’ll need.

Selecting Your Salmon Filet

There are many types of salmon in the ocean, but Atlantic salmon is easily the most widely found type of salmon in grocery stores. If you like a rich, oily flavor, king salmon or Atlantic salmon is a good choice. If you prefer a milder flavor, sockeye, pink, chum or coho salmon may be a better option.

You’ll want to look for salmon that appears moist rather than dried out. Moisture content is a great indicator of freshness and how carefully the fish was handled. Avoid salmon with any browned spots on the belly or around the edges of the filet. You’ll also want to avoid filets with bruised skin or “gaping” in which flakes at the cut edges of the fish begin to separate from each other.

Main Ingredients for Baked Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumbs

You only need 5 main ingredients for this easy recipe! A piece of salmon to bake (obviously) and then the ingredients for the garlic parmesan topping. Here are the basics:

• A fresh salmon filet– I like to use a large piece of salmon (1 1/2-2 lb). Wild-caught salmon is preferred, but farm-raised is fine if that’s all you can find. Whatever you can get your hands on is great, even if they are smaller salmon fillets, as long as it’s fresh.
• Italian style breadcrumbs– instead of using plain breadcrumbs, I love these seasoned ones. They taste great and give lots of flavor. Italian style Panko breadcrumbs will also work.
• Fresh garlic– mince this up finely and add to the coating. I use about one tablespoon total, but feel free to add or take away to make this your own.
• Melted butter– I use salted butter because that is my preference, but use what you have. Heck, even olive oil will work.
• Parmesan cheese– adds a salty, cheesy bite.
• Pantry Staples– Be sure you have a large enough baking sheet for your piece of salmon for baking. I find a half sheet pan is perfect! Also, I like using parchment paper to line all my pans, but that is an optional step.

How to Make Baked Salmon with Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumbs

If you have an oven and the ingredients as listed above, you too can bake some seriously good salmon. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements see the printable recipe card below. Here are step-by-step directions for making this recipe:

Preheat Oven + Prep Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.

Prep Salmon

Unwrap the salmon and press with paper towels to dry. Place salmon filet onto baking sheet, skin side down.

Make Garlic Parmesan Bread Crumb Topping

In a small bowl, stir melted butter together with minced garlic, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. It should look like damp sand.

Bake

Spread crumb mixture over salmon and press an even layer over the top of the salmon filet. Bake 12-15 minutes or until fully cooked. (Thicker pieces of salmon will take longer.)

Pro Tip: I find fish, in general, bakes best at a high temperature for a shorter period of time. This baked salmon is no different. I recommend baking at 400° F for 12-15 minutes or until just baked. You are looking for an internal temperature of 145° F. Of course the time will vary slightly based on how thick your piece of fish is and if your oven runs hot or cold, but this is a great guideline.

Cool + Serve

Cool slightly, cut into pieces and serve. If you like, squeeze some fresh lemon juice on your salmon. Enjoy!

Good Side Dishes for Fish

Salmon can go with nearly any side dish. So I’ve gathered a few of my favorites to go with a protein-heavy main dish.

• Famous Butter Rice – buttery rice is perfect with this oven-baked salmon recipe. This is my go-to choice.
• Sweet Potato Rolls – another carby side dish to go along with salmon, but this time these rolls are flavored with sweet potatoes.
• Roasted Veggie and Quinoa Salad – for a lighter and healthier side dish to go with this already healthy main dish.
• Perfect Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – a creamy and hearty side dish to comfort and fill you up!

Baked Salmon Storing Directions

Unfortunately, reheated salmon with bread crumbs doesn’t reheat very well due to the bread crumbs losing their crunchy texture and get soggy over time. If you want to store any leftovers anyway, make sure it’s cooled to room temperature and store in an airtight container.

If you have an air fryer, use that to reheat your salmon so it brings back that crispy bread coating.

Make Ahead– If you’d like to make this ahead somehow, I would recommend making the bread crumb coating ahead of time and pressing the salmon free of extra moisture. Store both items in the fridge and then assemble right before baking.

Side Dishes for Baked Salmon

• Linguine
• Roasted Root Vegetables
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Classic Coleslaw
• See 30+ Side Dishes for Baked Salmon

Love Salmon? Try Some of My Favorite Salmon Recipes:

• Asian Baked Salmon Recipe
• Honey Butter Sesame Salmon
• Leftover Salmon Croquettes with Avocado Salsa
• Honey Glazed Sesame Salmon
• Mom’s *Famous* Salmon Dip

So, there you have it! My delicious garlic parmesan salmon recipe. I hope you love it as much as my family does! Be sure to print, save, pin, bookmark or share this recipe because it’s one you’re not going to want to lose. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.