Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust

Name: Keto Baked Salmon With Parmesan Herb Crust
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
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

by lena

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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!

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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.

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:

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.
Add the coating: Spread the mayonnaise mixture over top of the fillet. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
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.

More salmon recipes

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

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!