A delicious, heart healthy meal that not only is beautiful but tastes amazing. This Almond Pesto Salmon recipe uses fresh wholesome ingredients and is super easy to make!
Looking for more ideas for how to cook salmon? This Blackened Salmon Pasta Recipe is another winner!
Why this Recipe Works
Almond Pesto Salmon is a 30 minute meal that looks and tastes like something from a gourmet restaurant. With heart healthy ingredients, you’ll feel good about serving (and eating) this seafood dinner.
- An almond bread crumb topping adds a delightfully crispy layer to the flaky salmon.
- It’s broiled with basil pesto for fresh summertime flavor.
- Salmon cooks quickly so you can make this recipe any night of the week!
Serve this quick and easy meal with a side of air fryer zucchini. You’ll love this crispy seasoned veggie dish!
Ingredient Notes
Basil pesto. Use your favorite jar of store bought pesto or try this easy pesto recipe.
Salmon filets. Choose filets that are even in weight and thickness to ensure even cooking.
Add those nuts to some salmon fillets and a bed of spinach and you’ve got one amazing meal.
Easy Instructions
Turn on your oven’s broiler. Combine sliced almonds with panko bread crumbs in a bowl.
Place your salmon filets on a foil lined baking sheet. Spread basil pesto evenly over the top of each filet.
Press a handful of the almond and breadcrumb mixture onto each piece of salmon. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray.
Place the baking sheet in the center rack of the oven. Broil salmon for 7 minutes.
Now, transfer the salon to the top rack to broil for another 2 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Tips and Tricks
- Salmon should flake easily with a fork when it’s done cooking. You may need to add more or less broiling time depending on the size of your filets and your oven’s broil temperature.
- If your salmon has skin on it, place it on the baking sheet skin side down. You can also remove the skin from the salmon if preferred.
- Almond Pesto Salmon is best enjoyed the same day it’s made for freshness and crispiness!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, frozen salmon can be used. Thaw it in the fridge first!
No, this recipe won’t really work without the almond topping, and most basil pesto contains pine nuts making it not suitable for anyone avoiding nuts.
We serve this on a simple bed of spinach or other leafy greens for a light, healthy meal. This Cilantro Lime Rice would be a delicious side dish with the salmon too.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Egg Salad Recipe
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Monte Cristo
- Ravioli Lasagna
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Almond Pesto Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ pounds salmon fillets
- ¾ cup sliced almonds roughly chopped
- ½ cup crispy panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup basil pesto
Instructions
- Turn oven on broiler.
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped, sliced almonds with the panko crumbs. Set aside.
- Line a large baking sheet with foil. Lightly spray with olive oil. Place each salmon fillet on the foil lined baking sheet, leaving an inch between pieces. If your salmon has skin, you can remove it first, or place the salmon skin side down on the baking sheet. Spread the top of the salmon with basil pesto, evenly distributing the pesto to each piece of salmon. Take a handful of the almond/crumb mixture and press it onto each salmon fillet. Use all of the mixture.
- Lightly spray the tops of the almond crusted salmon with olive oil spray.
- Broil in MIDDLE rack of oven for about 7 minutes. Move oven rack to top and broil an additional 2 minutes. Salmon should flake with a fork. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, you may need to add or subtract baking time.
Notes
- Salmon should flake easily with a fork when it’s done cooking. You may need to add more or less broiling time depending on the size of your filets and your oven’s broil temperature.
- If your salmon has skin on it, place it on the baking sheet skin side down. You can also remove the skin from the salmon if preferred.
- Almond Pesto Salmon is best enjoyed the same day it’s made for freshness and crispiness
Nutrition
It doesn’t get any better than a meal that’s as good for your body AND your taste buds. Flaky, heart healthy fish filets are at their best in this Crispy Almond Pesto Salmon recipe.
Hi Aimee – I’m eating leftovers for lunch and had to double back to tell you that the “pesto ban” in the house is over and I made this last night for dinner and OH WOW is it good. Mine didn’t look as nice as yours, and I broiled it about 30 seconds longer than I should have, but with a little practice it will be perfection. The taste is amazing. I love all of the flavors together. Thanks again! I love all of your creations. Hugs, Holly
Haha, love that your pesto ban has been lifted!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe Holly! Thanks for stopping back over and letting me know!
Gotta give it to you…fish always looks like an easy thing to get it right…but it does take some skill!
Thanks Mariana!!
Yum!! What a delicious way to cook salmon, it looks amazing 🙂
….can you just come cook dinner for me please? I can pay in a combination of muffins and mildly funny jokes. I NEED THIS SALMON IN MY LIFE, AIMEE! 🙂
Sure! I love muffins and funny jokes 🙂
This does look awesome! Unfortunately my salmon loving son has a nut allergy…but maybe I can make him the version I just blogged about while trying this out for us grownups some time!
Yes, you must try it (when he is not around of course)! Thanks for stopping over!
Hi Aimee – I am in a 12-step program for pesto. As in… seriously addicted. Hubby had an intervention and banned it from dinners for the next month he is so sick of me making it. But as soon as the ban is lifted… first dinner cooked! Pinned! Hugs, Holly
Thanks for pinning. This comment seriously had me chuckling!! Here’s hoping you get some pesto soon 🙂
How do you make pesto or do you buy it..?
My SIL is going to FREAK over this recipe! She’s a total salmon nut, and this looks SO GOOD! Pinned!
Thanks Ashton! Hope she enjoys the recipe (thanks for pinning)!
This looks wonderful Aimee! I love salmon and am always looking for new ways to make it. It sounds awesome with the pesto and all those crunchy almonds 🙂 Pinning to try 🙂
Why have I never seen pesto with salmon before? This is perfect! Love love love!
Salon + Pesto are two of my all time favorites so together with those almonds must be amazing. One of my favorite restaurants does a salmon with pesto but those almonds on top I bet add such fabulous texture!!
I have been craving salmon lately! This looks so good.
Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish to eat! Love how it just flakes when cooked properly! The nuts make this extra special!
What a fabulous idea for salmon! So easy, too!
I love making fish because it’s so quick and versatile. This combination sounds great, Aimee! This would be a nice way to change up salmon. 🙂
What a great way to use those heart healthy nuts!!! If you say it’s the best, I trust you!!!
I LOVE almonds!! What a fun way to top a salmon!
I bet that topping is heavenly!! And if you’re throwing around ‘best’ it’s gotta be so good!