This Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon is a fresh, easy, and healthy clean eating seafood dinner recipe to change up your boring old fish routine -- and it's ready in 20 minutes!
Well, here it is: the first Friday in Lent. Is seafood on your dinner menu tonight?
Whether it's the Lenten season or not, one of my goals for the year has been to serve my family seafood at least once each week (and often more, thanks to plenty of seafood inspiration)!
In the summer, that's not too difficult since every one of my boys LOVES grilled salmon (or shrimp).
It's a go-to, easy, Sunday night meal that makes everyone happy. BUT...in February?!
It gets a little bit trickier to come up with healthy, family-friendly seafood dinner recipes that the kids (and husband) will actually eat when the grill isn't an available option.
Instead, at this time of year I rely on my oven to do the cooking more often, and a simple oven-baked fish can get pretty dull pretty quickly!
By adding just a couple of additional pantry staples, I pulled together a rich, flavorful, and crispy topping for our fish that reminds the boys of those store-bought frozen fish sticks that are always a hit...but with a much better nutritional profile!
Ingredients - What You Need
- Salmon fillets: fresh or frozen, thawed
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and goes perfectly with pecans
- Greek yogurt: helps create a base with the crumb topping
- Panko crumbs: I used whole wheat for added fiber
- Pecans: finely chopped
- Garlic powder and salt: for seasoning
How to Make Pecan Crusted Salmon in 5 Easy Steps
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over top. Spray rack with cooking spray.
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In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup and yogurt until smooth. Spread on top of each salmon fillet.
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Mix remaining ingredients in a separate small bowl. Gently press breadcrumb mixture onto the top of each fillet.
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Lightly spray each piece of fish with cooking spray or canola oil (this will help it turn crispy and brown).
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Bake until salmon flakes easily with a fork and topping is browned and crispy.
This salmon is tender, buttery, crispy, sweet, and savory...all in one very satisfying bite! You might not even miss your summer grill!
What to Serve it With?
I love to serve this crusted salmon with a fresh side salad or grilled or roasted veggies. You can opt for whatever you prefer!
Looking for even more delicious seafood recipes? Try these:
- 30+ Favorite Seafood Recipes
- Garlic & Herb Baked Salmon
- Sheet Pan Supper: Maple-Glazed Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli
Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets about 4 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt can substitute with mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 10 grams about 4 teaspoons finely chopped pecans
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon dried garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over top. Spray rack with cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup and yogurt until smooth. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the syrup mixture on top of each salmon fillet.
- Mix remaining ingredients in a separate small bowl. Gently press approximately 1 tablespoon of the breadcrumb mixture onto the top of each fillet.
- Lightly spray each piece of fish with cooking spray or canola oil (this will help it turn crispy and brown).
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork and topping is browned and crispy.
Nutrition
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Oh this sounds so good! My husband and I eat salmon often, and now that it's Lent, we're eating fish even m ore. I love the sound of the maple pecan crust. Looks like it bakes beautifully!
Blair
Thanks, Gayle! This is a good way to change it up!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Oh my! I love salmon and haven't had it in awhile. On a student budget here! I need to try this recipe. I'm intrigued by the Greek yogurt addition.
Blair
Thanks, Megan! Salmon is definitely a favorite around here!!
Emily
Salmon is one of my favourite fish, love the sound of that crust!
Kathy lopez
I dnt care for the fish taste in salmon, what do you recommend in order to tk the fish taste out of it? IveIve tried salmon with soy sauce before n u can still taste that bad fish taste
Blair
Hi, Kathy! Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for covering up the taste of salmon. If you don't like it, I would just not eat it. 🙂 Maybe you would prefer other mild white fish like halibut?