• Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact

Search

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact

Subscribe for EASY meals!

  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Sides
  • Dinner
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lena's Kitchen

Lena's Kitchen

easy, elevated and approachable simple recipes for the everyday home cook

  • Weeknight Meals
  • Sides
  • Salads
  • Appetizers
  • Sweets
Home » Keto Meals

Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust

Posted: January 15, 2021 by lena gladstone | Updated: September 2, 2021

4.2K shares

My 6 ingredient Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust can be made in the oven or air fryer. Enjoy it for an easy weeknight dinner or for delicious leftovers the next day. Made with keto, low-carb, and gluten-free ingredients!

Jump to Recipe
Coated fillet of salmon of a white plate with basil and lemon on the side

My Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust is made without any bread, is easy to prepare in very little time, and is a healthy choice for a weeknight dinner. It’s a keto, low-carb, and gluten-free recipe you can serve to your entire family.

With a little mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, lemon, and fresh basil spread on top, the taste of a crusted salmon fillet is completely transformed! It’s a 6-ingredient recipe that can be baked in the oven or made in the air fryer. No matter which method you use, the salmon is ready quickly and turns out tender, moist, and flaky.

Enjoy your fillet of keto baked salmon with a few low-carb side dishes, like French green beans and roasted cauliflower steaks. 

Coated fillet of salmon of a white plate with basil and lemon on the side

Ingredients you’ll need for crusted baked salmon

  • Salmon fillet – Look for a fillet that appears moist and without any blemishes, like brown spots. The fresher the fish, the more tender and juicy it will taste.
  • Lemon – Seasoning salmon with lemon juice not only marinates the meat as it cooks but adds a slight tangy flavor. To finish, add a final squeeze of lemon to the salmon for more pop!
  • Mayonnaise – Use homemade or storebought. This is used as the base of your coating.
  • Parmesan cheese – If you can, buy a brick of fresh Parmesan cheese and shred it yourself. If you really want to go all out, spring for the higher-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano.
  • Basil leaves – For a pop of fresh flavor. Use fresh basil if you can and chop it into fine pieces so you’ll get the taste in every bite.
  • Garlic – This will add depth and savoriness to the coating.
Close up of a coated fillet of salmon with a fork taking a piece

How to bake salmon in the oven

This is a quick and easy recipe you can prepare ahead of time or finish when you’re in a hurry! Salmon takes very little time to bake in the oven and turns out juicy, flavorful, and flaky. With the parmesan herb crust on top, you’ll be begging for seconds!

Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Prepare the salmon and coating: Season the salmon fillet with lemon juice and salt. Next, mix the mayonnaise, basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
  2. Add the coating: Spread the mayonnaise mixture over top of the fillet. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
  3. Bake, then serve: Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Sprinkle fresh basil and lemon juice on top and serve with plenty of side dishes!

How to air fry salmon

Prepare the salmon and the mayonnaise, herb, and Parmesan crust as you would if you were baking the salmon. Place the crusted salmon in your oil-coated air fryer basket.

You’ll air fry the salmon for around 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. To finish, squeeze an extra drizzle of lemon and more basil on top, then serve!

White plates holding raw salmon, garlic, cheese, and mayonnaise

What to serve with herb crusted salmon

This is a healthy and no-nonsense keto main dish you can serve with almost anything:

  • Place the salmon on top of a salad for extra protein and flavor.
  • Over a bed of cauliflower rice.
  • With veggies on the side, like a beet terrine, sauteed broccolini, or glazed carrots.
  • Next to a cauliflower mash.
  • In a keto bagel sandwich.
  • With homemade tartar sauce for dipping.

Recipe tips and variations

  • If you’re unsure if the salmon is done cooking, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 135ºF.
  • The best temperature to bake salmon in the oven is 425º F. The high temperature cooks the fillet quickly and doesn’t dry out the meat.
  • Don’t want to use mayonnaise? You can replace it with a soft cheese (like goat cheese or Boursin) or melted butter instead.
  • If using frozen salmon, make sure it has thawed completely before cooking and pat it fully dry.
  • Use any herbs you like. You can add fresh dill, parsley, or cilantro for a more herby flavor.
  • If you don’t follow a keto diet, feel free to add some panko breadcrumbs to the coating for an extra crunch.
Crusted salmon on a white plate next to parmesan cheese and a bowl of purple radicchio

Making ahead of time, storing, and reheating

You can make the salmon coating 1 or 2 days ahead of time. Mix everything together in a bowl or container, then seal it with a lid. Keep the coating in the fridge until you’re ready to make the herb crusted salmon.

Baked salmon can be wrapped tightly in foil, kept in a sealed container, and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the fillet in a 275°F oven for around 15 minutes. Alternatively, reheat it in your air fryer at 360ºF for around 4 minutes.

Close up of a coated fillet of salmon with a fork taking a piece

More salmon recipes

Do you love salmon as much as I do? Then you must try these recipes!

  • Keto Salmon Patties
  • Crab Stuffed Salmon
  • Salmon And Tomato Skewers
  • Smoked Salmon Street Tacos

If you give this Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust a try, let me know what you think. Leave a comment and don’t forget to take a picture tag me Instagram or use #lenaskitchenblog to be featured in my stories! I love seeing what you come up with!

Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust

4.6 from 72 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lena Gladstone
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
My 6 ingredient Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust can be made in the oven or air fryer. Enjoy it for an easy weeknight dinner or for delicious leftovers the next day. Made with keto, low-carb, and gluten-free ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ -2 lb salmon fillet
  • ½ lemon, juiced, extra ¼ lemon for after cooked
  • 4 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 8 leaves fresh basil, minced, plus more for garnish
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated and divided
  • ½ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

Oven Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Add parchment paper to a baking sheet.
  • Season the salmon with lemon juice and salt.
  • Mix the mayonnaise with basil, minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
  • Spread completely over the top of salmon.
  • Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.
  • Sprinkle with fresh basil and a drizzle of lemon juice. Serve with a salad, veggies, or cauliflower rice.

Air Fryer Instructions:

  • Preheat air fryer to 400ºF. Spay the basket with olive oil.
  • Season the salmon with lemon juice and salt.
  • Mix the mayonnaise with basil, minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
  • Spread completely over the top of salmon. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
  • Air fry for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.
  • Sprinkle with fresh basil and a drizzle of lemon juice optional. Serve with a salad, veggies, or cauliflower rice.

Notes

Making ahead and storing tips:
  • Make the salmon coating 1 or 2 days ahead of time. Mix everything together in a bowl or container, then seal it with a lid and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to make the herb crusted salmon.
  • Baked salmon can be wrapped tightly in foil, kept in a sealed container, and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat the fillet in a 275°F oven for around 15 minutes. Alternatively, reheat it in your air fryer at 360ºF for around 4 minutes.
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: 30 minute meal, dinner, easy dinner, gluten free, keto, keto dinner, low carb, low carb dinner, salmon, seafood, weeknight dinner

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 861mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 179IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg
4.2K shares

You might also like:
Mushroom burgers.Mushroom Burger
BBQ baby back ribs.BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Rotisserie chicken salad.Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Egg roll in a bowl in a pan.Egg Roll Bowl
Lemongrass chicken.Lemongrass Chicken
Energy bites on plates.Energy Bites
Holiday charcuterie board with comte cheese.Holiday Charcuterie Board
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze

Reader Interactions

4.55 from 72 votes (35 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Reviews
Questions

Comments

  1. Christina Gabor

    at

    5 stars
    Simple, easy, healthy and delicious; what more can you ask for? This recipe is simple enough for a week night dinner but flavorful enough to serve at a fancy dinner party.
    I’ve made it twice in the last week and can’t wait to make it again.

    Reply
    • lena gladstone

      at

      Yes, it’s one of my faves Christina!! So happy you are loving this recipe! Thank you for making it and happy cooking!

« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, I’m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lena’s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients. Click here to learn more!

Let’s Connect

Craving More Easy Recipes?

Subscribe for weekly ideas in your inbox.


 

More like this

Overhead shot of Greek lamb chops served with herbed sauce on the side.

Greek Lamb Chops

A bowl of freshly made pico de gallo with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeño, surrounded by lime, salt, chips, and fresh ingredients.

Fresh Pico De Gallo

A white plate with slices of grilled steak, some medium-rare, with a gold serving fork; surrounded by bowls of chopped vegetables and herbs.

Easy Carne Asada Recipe

A bowl of simple guacamole, garnished with tortilla chips, is surrounded by fresh cilantro, lime, and tortilla chips on a marble surface.

Simple Guacamole Recipe

A white bowl filled with easy artichoke dip, garnished with olive oil, and a spoon inside. Surrounding items include pita chips, fresh herbs, a lemon wedge, and a jar labeled “Farms.”.

Easy Artichoke Dip

A plate of butter lettuce cups filled with grilled corn, sliced radishes, prosciutto bits, shredded cheese, and creamy dressing.

Butter Lettuce Salad

A glass jar filled with lemon vinaigrette sits on a small round coaster.

Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

Overhead shot of air fryer carrots on a plate topped with parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley.

Air Fryer Carrots

RECIPE CATEGORY

Craving More Easy Recipes?

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Home
Recipes
Contact
Shop

FAQ
Privacy Policy
Accessibility

Copyright © 2025 · Site Credits · Sitemap

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.