One of the easiest toppings for fish, this crispy baked salmon with breadcrumbs flavored with garlic, lemon and parsley is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Crispy oven baked salmon with breadcrumbs, garlic and lemon was one of my mother’s go to fish recipes on Friday nights. There’s no doubt that topping fish with crunchy breadcrumbs is always a great way to get anyone to enjoy fish!
And it doesn’t get any easier than this recipe! Simply toss breadcrumbs with garlic; lemon zest; fresh parsley and olive oil; place the mixture on each salmon fillet and bake until crisp and golden.
Complete your meal with your favorite vegetable side dishes and you’ll have a healthy dinner ready in no time.
About the breadcrumbs…
This recipe does not use your typical grocery store bought breadcrumbs. Just like several of my mom’s recipe including her famous meatballs or pasta with breadcrumbs, the breadcrumbs are made from the crumb of day old bread (or even older) with the crusts cut off. This is what we refer to as muddica.
Making your own muddica is well worth the effort. I make a batch by whirling bread in my food processor into coarse crumbs and then freeze it to have it on hand for recipes such as this one.
If you don’t have a loaf of Italian bread around to make fresh breadcrumbs you may substitute whichever bread you have lying around including sandwich bread. And of course, in a pinch, panko breadcrumbs may be used instead.
Ingredient List
- Salmon: 4 servings, skin on (optional)
- Fresh breadcrumbs: made from the crumb of day old Italian bread crusts removed
- Garlic clove
- Fresh parsley
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The following are step by step instructions with images to guide you through this recipe. Please scroll to the end of this post for the detailed printable recipe card.
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare the breadcrumbs: remove the crusts from day old bread and tear into small pieces either by hand or much easier with a food processor.
- In a pinch, use any bread (including sliced bread) you have on hand.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Pat dry the salmon fillets and place on the baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle each piece with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, toss together the breadcrumbs; minced garlic; lemon zest; a pinch of salt and pepper (as much as desired).
- Stir in the olive oil until the mixture is completely coated in oil.
- Evenly distribute the breadcrumb mixture on each fillet, pressing down on the salmon.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork. You may broil the fish for no more than 1 minute at the end of cooking for extra crispy crumbs.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Recipe Notes
-In a pinch, substitute panko for the fresh breadcrumbs.
-Try different herbs such as thyme or dill.
-The olive oil may be replaced with melted butter.
-If using wild caught salmon, reduce the cooking time. Since it is leaner, it will cook faster therefore check it after 10 minutes.
Cooking time will vary according to the thickness of your fillet. In general a 1-inch fillet will cook anywhere from 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees F. The fish is ready when it flakes easily when pierced with a fork.
If you’re not a fan of salmon try this breading white fish such as on cod; tilapia or haddock.
Did you try this salmon with breadcrumb topping recipe?
Let me know how much you enjoyed it by rating it in the recipe card below!
*****
Check out more Italian fish recipes!
- Sicilian Fish with Onions, Mint, and Vinegar
- Sicilian Swordfish with Tomatoes, Capers and Olives
- Oven Baked Fish with Chicpeas, Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 750 grams salmon 4 fillets
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- 1 lemon, zested
- 3 tbsp, olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Pat dry the salmon fillets and place on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the breadcrumbs: remove the crusts from day old bread and tear into small pieces either by hand or much easier with a food processor.In a pinch, use any bread (including sliced bread) you have on hand.
- In a bowl, toss together the breadcrumbs; minced garlic; lemon zest; a pinch of salt and pepper (as much as desired).
- Stir in the olive oil until the mixture is completely coated in oil.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on each salmon fillet.
- Evenly distribute the breadcrumb mixture on each fillet, pressing down on the salmon.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork. You may broil the fish for 1 minute at the end of cooking for extra crispy crumbs. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
-Try different herbs such as thyme or dill.
-The olive oil may be replaced by melted butter.
-If using wild caught salmon, reduce the cooking time. Since it has leaner, it cooks faster so check it after 10 minutes of cooking. How long does salmon need to cook? Cooking time will vary according to the thickness of your fillet. In general a 1-inch fillet will cook anywhere from 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees F. The fish is ready when it flakes easily when pi Can other types of fish be used for this recipe? If you’re not a fan of salmon try this breading white fish such as on cod; tilapia or haddock.
Jennie Sama
Simple recipe which I will try. I make my breadcrumbs, just as you state in your recipe!!
Thanks.
Nadia
Thank you Jennie, hope you enjoy this recipe. And yes fresh breadcrumbs make all the difference!