This panko crusted salmon is coated in a lemony garlic mayonnaise and baked with a crispy panko-parmesan crust. Every bite is so scrumptious!
If you love salmon recipes be sure to try our salmon Wellington, cedar plank salmon, and baked pesto salmon recipe.
Table Of Contents
Why this salmon recipe is a winner
This panko-crusted salmon is one of the most effortless ways to bake salmon. It requires very little prep time and looks so fancy! Its great for weeknight meals or formal gatherings. The flavors of this easy salmon recipe is simply divine. Crunchy panko-parmesan crust and garlicky salmon in an incredible combination! It goes great with creamy mashed potatoes or even garlic butter couscous.
Ingredients for this recipe
- Salmon: King or pink salmon fillet (skin removed)
- Marinade: Mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper
- Crust: Panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan, and dried dill, and unsalted butter
How to make panko crusted salmon
This is a quick breakdown of how to make panko crusted salmon. For the full detailed recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
- Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Season each salmon fillet with salt and pepper to taste. Then transfer the salmon to a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
- Spread the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture on top of each fish fillet.
- Then, in a bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried dill, and melted butter.
- Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mayonnaise on each salmon fillet. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Or until the internal temperature of the fish is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recipe TIPS
- Serving a crowd– This can be made with a whole salmon fillet instead of small fillet cuts. The bake time will be longer though.
- Substitutions– If you don’t have panko bread crumbs, you can use plain bread crumbs instead
- Make-ahead– the mayonnaise mixture can be slathered on hours before topping with the crust and baking.
- Bake time– If the salmon is cold out of the fridge, it may take longer to bake.
- Internal temperature– the best way to check if the salmon is done cooking is by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the fish. It should read about 145 degrees F.
How to make it ahead of time
You can season the fillets and smother them in the mayonnaise mixture, then refrigerate for about 4-5 hours or until ready to use. The panko crust can also be made a few hours in advance. Then, whenever you’re ready to bake the panko crusted salmon, sprinkle the panko mixture on top and pop the salmon in the oven.
Serving suggestions
- creamy mushroom and spinach gnocchi
- scalloped potatoes
- pasta salad
- pasta with zucchini
- wild brown rice
- Air fryer asparagus
- Garlic green beans
Full Recipe Instructions
Panko Crusted Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 lb salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove grated or pressed
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp dried dill
- 3 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
- Season both sides of the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Then transfer the fish to a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
- Spread the mayonnaise mixture on top of each fillet.
- In a separate bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried dill, and melted butter.
- Evenly spread the bread crumb mixture over the mayonnaise on each salmon fillet. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillet.
Notes
- Serving a crowd– This can be made with a whole salmon fillet instead of small fillet cuts. The bake time will be longer though.
- Substitutions– If you don’t have panko bread crumbs, you can use plain bread crumbs instead
- Make-ahead– the mayonnaise mixture can be slathered on hours before topping with the crust and baking.
- Bake time– If the salmon is cold out of the fridge, it may take longer to bake.
- Internal temperature– the best way to check if the salmon is done cooking is by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the fish. It should read about 145 degrees F.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on Dec 13, 2017, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
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char says
I haven’t made this yet but was wondering if I could put together on a foil lined tray and cook on the unlit side of my gas grill to cook, it is almost 90 degrees here and I don’t want to turn my oven on .Thanks
simplyhomecooked says
Hi 🙂 Technically yes you can grill this panko crusted salmon. However, I have never tried that with this recipe so I can’t say how it will turn out. I am not sure about the time and temperature. Just keep an eye on the salmon when grilling. You want the internal temperature of salmon at 145 degrees F. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Casey says
This has become a family favorite recipe! Soooo good!
simplyhomecooked says
That’s so awesome! Happy to hear you loved this panko crusted salmon 🙂 Thank you for your feedback Casey 🙂
Kathleen G says
This a favorite weekly go to recipe for us, hubby’s favorite meal, served with roasted asparagus, and orzo pilaf. So yummy, and super easy to make.
simplyhomecooked says
That’s so awesome to hear Kathleen! Glad that this panko salmon is a favorite recipe in your home and happy that hubby approves! 🙂 Thank you so much for your awesome feedback and I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog:)
Mahealani says
Very moist and tender. Family loved it ! Will definitely make it again..5 stars
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you so much Mahealani! I am thrilled that you loved the panko-crusted salmon so much 🙂
Miri says
The crust and topping accomplishes taste of salmon excellently, gives it lemony freshness and gentle crust…
simplyhomecooked says
I am so glad you enjoyed this salmon recipe Miri! Thank you for the positive feedback.
Nikki King says
Love, love, loved this recipe! It has been added to our dinner routine! I’ve done it with the skin on and off, same result. My husband was skeptical at first and now he wouldn’t have salmon any other way.
simplyhomecooked says
Wow Nikki, I am so thrilled to hear that you and your husband enjoyed this salmon recipe! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind review. I really appreciate it 🙂
Taylor Koch says
Hi! Do you leave the skin on?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Taylor, yes you can leave the skin on. Having the salmon with or without the skin is a personal preference. I don’t have the skin on since I don’t care for the skin that much. Hope that helps and I hope you love this panko salmon recipe 🙂
Mandy says
My entire family of picky eaters inhaled this! I’m always looking for salmon recipes that don’t taste overly fishy and this by far is the best one I’ve tried! Thanks for sharing!
simplyhomecooked says
Wow, that’s awesome to hear Mandy! I also, don’t enjoy a really fishy taste when eating fish, so this panko-crusted salmon is a staple in our family!
Suzzie Neville says
I’m planning on making this on Friday for friends and I was going to use one fillet weighing approximately 650g. Are the cooking times still the same when using a bigger fillet of fish?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Suzzie, you will want to cook it a little longer since it is a larger fillet. However, I don’t know the exact amount of time based off your size fillet. The best way to check is to use a meat thermometer, you will want the center of your fish to be 145 degrees Fahrenheit. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy this panko-crusted salmon recipe!
Eric says
I made this for dinner for my fiancee and I and it blew her away! She does not like fish but I do. So I tried this recipe to see if she would enjoy it and to my delight she asked for seconds! I will make this again for us. Oh and it was very easy to throw together.
simplyhomecooked says
Now that’s pretty awesome Eric. So glad your fiancee loved the salmon recipe. Thank you for the positive feedback!
Lydia Brophy says
It was easy to make, flavorful and delicious. I would serve this at a dinner party! My husband said it was better than any salmon dish ordered at a restaurant, which was a huge compliment. Will be making this again and again,
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lydia, thank you so much for the feedback! I am very happy to hear that you and your husband really enjoyed my panko crusted salmon recipe! I hope you find more recipes that you and your family can enjoy from my blog 🙂
Alena says
Very delicious. Made it last night for dinner, and it was a big hit!!! Looved it. My husband took some to work today and said it wasn’t enough, he wanted more :):):) thank you for the recipe.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Alena, thank you so much for your kind review!! It means so much to me to hear that people enjoy my food! I’m happy this was a hit with your family. I hope this recipe along with some of my other recipes becomes a family favorite for you! 🙂