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An overhead photo of 4 pesto salmon fillets on a platter with a spoon. Next to this are bowls of salt, pepper and pesto.
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5 from 3 votes

Easy Pesto Salmon with a Crispy Breadcrumb Crust

You can simply bake salmon with pesto for a quick and easy dinner, but adding crispy olive oil breadcrumbs and a lemony pesto drizzle brings the flavor and texture over the top.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Italian/Mediterranean
Servings: 4
Author: Emily Teel

Ingredients

  • 4 (4-5 ounce) skin-on salmon filets (about 1 pound salmon, or a large piece sliced into 4 filets)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten free is okay)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , plus more to drizzle
  • 4 tablespoons Pesto (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven and prep the salmon. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the salmon pieces dry.
  • Prep the breadcrumbs. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir gently but thoroughly to distribute the oil.
  • Coat salmon with pesto. Remove the hot sheet pan from the oven, and drizzle olive oil over the aluminum foil. Set the salmon pieces skin-side down on top of the hot, oil-coated foil. Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to spread 3 tablespoons of the pesto in an even layer on top of the salmon.
  • Add the panko. Divide panko between pieces of salmon, sprinkling it densely on top.
  • Bake the salmon. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the filets are firm and just cooked through and the breadcrumbs look toasted and lightly browned.
  • Make the pesto drizzle. While the salmon bakes, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of pesto with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small bowl. Season with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
  • Serve. When the salmon flakes easily with a fork, remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle with the pesto lemon sauce and serve.

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil used in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 311.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.8g | Protein: 24.2g | Fat: 20.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7.6g | Cholesterol: 63.6mg | Sodium: 245.2mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 347.9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51.7mg | Iron: 1.4mg

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