My Go-To Crispy Salmon

Easy oven-baked crispy skin salmon makes for a mouth-watering, nutritious dinner. This quick and simple recipe only requires about 15 minutes from start to finish!

Make this recipe at least one night per week for dinner to optimize your brain health and boost your immune system!

I’m often asked which recipes I make from my site on a regular basis, and this easy crispy salmon recipe is by far one of the recipes I make the most!

The flavorful seasoning with enticing crispy skin as well as a crispy top with tender fish between is just too tough to beat!

For me, crispy salmon skin is one of those foods that drives my neurotransmitters wild (in a good way). I call in bacon of the sea. 😉

An added bonus? Salmon is a superfood!

Health Benefits of Salmon:

Wild-caught salmon is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat! It’s loaded with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain and hormone health.

In fact, recent studies show humans should be getting at least 3 grams of omega-3 fats per day for proper brain and immune system function. Not to mention, omega-3s have been shown to reverse epigenetic aging (source).

Salmon also contains B Vitamins, which are essential for many functions in your body, including hormone balance and turning the food you eat into energy. It contains more potassium per weight than bananas, which helps keep you hydrated, controls blood pressure, and lessens your risk of stroke.

In addition, salmon is rich in selenium and the antioxidant, Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin helps reduce your risk of heart disease and it also helps lower your LDL cholesterol! If you have high cholesterol, consider taking 3 to 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids every day to lower your cholesterol before you consider taking statins.

This antioxidant is also what gives salmon its anti-inflammatory property, as it reduces systemic inflammation.

How to Make Crispy Salmon Skin:

If you’ve been wondering how to make salmon skin crispy, I have the answer for you right here!

The trick for how to get crispy salmon skin by cooking salmon in the oven is simply to use your broiler setting and place the salmon on the third or second-to-the-top shelf!

Let’s dive into the details.

1. Turn on the high broil function of your oven (I always broil on high) and move one of the racks to the third shelf from the top. Don’t broil on the top shelf, because the fat in the salmon can hit the top element and cause a spark. I’ve had success using the second shelf from the top but for some ovens this is still too close.
2. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking oil. If you don’t have a large cookie sheet, use an broiler-safe casserole dish that you know is heat-resistant enough to withstand high temperatures in the oven.
3. Place salmon skin-down in the dish and lightly coat the flesh with olive oil (or cooking oil of choice).
4. Sprinkle with your favorite spices (I always learn toward garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and/or chili powder and sea salt). Note: if you follow a Low-FODMAP diet, use dried herbs like oregano and thyme instead of garlic powder and onion powder.
5. Place salmon on the third-to-top shelf in your oven and broil for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. 10 minutes works for me in most cases. If you like rare salmon (raw in the center), broil for 6 to 8 minutes.

Salmon is considered fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. To verify the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon and wait until the numbers stop moving to get an accurate read.

Some people prefer their salmon medium-rare, in which case you can cook the salmon to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F.

I caution this method to only use it when you know you’re using quality salmon that has been previously frozen to kill any bacteria and parasites.

Paired with the Stir Fry Vegetables , or my Crowd-Pleasing Roasted Vegetables and/or Spicy Kale Salad with Roasted Garlic, this insanely simple meal is one I make more frequently than I’d like to admit.

I try to add more variety to my weekly meals but I always find myself coming back to this one.

More Crispy Skin Salmon Recipes:

• Crispy Honey-Glazed Salmon
• Smoky Broiled Sockeye Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa
• The Only Grilled Salmon Recipe You’ll Ever Need
• Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Salsa
• Crispy Curried Salmon with Basil Coconut Rice

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your all your support!

If you make Crispy Salmon, please feel free to share a photo and tag me at @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

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4.43 from 78 votes

Crispy Salmon Recipe

Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe made quick and easy in the oven using the broiler setting. This simple cooking method results in perfectly crispy salmon on top with a tender center every time!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 3 servings

Calories: 146kcal

Author: Julia

Ingredients

• 1 1-pound salmon fillet
• 2 teaspoons olive oil or cooking oil of choice
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

Instructions

• Preheat your oven on the high broil setting.
• Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray, or lightly oil the bottom of a casserole dish and place the salmon fillet in it. Drizzle olive oil over the flesh of the salmon and use your hands to spread it over the full surface so that everything is coated. Sprinkle with sea salt. 
• In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and coriander. Sprinkle this mixture liberally over the salmon (note: you may have leftover seasoning, and that’s fine! You can use it for future salmon/chicken/steak endeavors or on vegetables).
• Place the salmon on the third-to-the-top shelf of the oven and broil for 10 minutes. (6 minutes for rare salmon, and up to 15 minutes for a very thick cut of salmon). Remove from the oven and allow salmon to cool 5 minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.

Video

Notes

If you follow a Low-FODMAP diet, replace the onion powder and garlic powder with dried oregano and thyme.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 146kcal | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g