This Pecan Crusted Salmon recipe features salmon fillets baked in a crunchy pecan crust that keeps them moist and tender inside. It has a delightful maple flavor that makes a delicious, healthy, and very impressive dish the whole family will love.

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Pecan Crusted Salmon Recipe

• Crunchy coating on the outside, tender and juicy inside
• Wonderful maple pecan flavor
• Easy to put together
• Made in under 20 minutes

With delicious gourmet flavors and a restaurant-quality presentation, this pecan-crusted salmon is not your average salmon recipe. The golden brown, crunchy texture of the pecan crust is the perfect complement to the tender and juicy salmon that’s inside.

One of the most surprising is that this recipe simple to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time. In fact, you can have this dish prepped and on the plate in under 25 minutes. Perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home!

Whether you’re following Keto or low-carb diet or simply looking for a new and healthy way to prepare salmon, this recipe is a must-try!

If you’re looking for other seafood recipes to add to your weekly lineup, try this Bake Cod with Greek Salsa and this amazing Baked Snapper with Pesto Sauce.

🛒 What You’ll Need for this Easy Baked Salmon

• Salmon
• Pecans
• Almond flour
• Sugar-free maple syrup
• Butter
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Baking sheet
• Mini chopper
• Whisk
• Pastry brush
• Parchment paper

🔪 How to Make Pecan Crusted Salmon

Preheat oven to 425°F.

In the cup of a mini chopper, add in the pecans and almost flour.

Blend until the pecans are roughly chopped, but not fully ground.

Tip: You want some of the pecans to stay in chunks, as this will give the coating a better texture.

In a small mixing bowl, add in the butter, maple syrup and dijon mustard, then whisk together and set aside.

Tip: If you can’t find sugar-free maple syrup, you can also use sugar-free Keto honey instead. Since the honey is a bit thicker, you might need to heat it up for a few seconds first.

Season the salmon with the garlic salt and pepper.

Then brush over each piece of salmon on all sides with the maple dijon mixture.  Make sure to reserve some of the mixture to brush over the tops later.

Take the pecan mixture and coat the tops of each piece of salmon, pressing gently to make sure it sticks. Take the remaining maple dijon mixture and gently brush it over the top of the pecan crust.

Tip: You want the pecan coating to be somewhat damp with the maple mixture. This will help form a more crispy crust once you bake it.

Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat and bake for 12-14 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. 

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon, so it’s best to check the temperature with an instant read thermometer.  The thickest part of the salmon should be somewhere around 125°F-145°F.

Is Salmon Good for Ketosis?

When it comes to seafood on Keto, it doesn’t get much better than the benefits salmon offers. It’s low carb, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats.

But it’s not just ideal for Keto, salmon is extremely nutritious and perfect for any diet. Just remember, in order to prevent ending up with unwanted carbs or added sugars you need to prepare and serve it with Keto-friendly seasonings, marinades and sauces.

What are Good Sides for Salmon?

Salmon has a mild enough flavor that you can pair it with many tasty, Keto side dishes. Here are some popular choices:

• Shredded Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Creamed Spinach
• Grilled Broccolini
• Green Beans Almondine
• Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Variations for this Pecan Crusted Salmon Recipe

• Lemon Pecan Crusted Salmon: A fresh and citrusy variation that includes lemon zest in the pecan crust to brighten up the flavor of the salmon and balance out the sweet maple syrup.

• Cajun Pecan Crusted Salmon: For a spicy variation add in a pinch of this Cajun Seasoning to the pecan crust mixture.

• Pecan Herb Crusted Salmon: Add an extra fragrant touch with the addition of chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary or parsley into the pecan crust.

• Parmesan Pecan Crusted Salmon: For a cheesy variation just add in some grated to pecan mixture.  

• Smoky Pecan Crusted Salmon: For a smoky variation use a little smoked paprika in maple syrup. mixture.

Can I Use Other Types of Nuts?

While pecans are the most commonly used in this recipe, you can certainly try other nuts such as finely chopped almonds or walnuts.

How Many Carbs are in Pecan Crusted Salmon?

There are 4 net carbs in a serving of this salmon. Those carbs come from the marinade and the crust, but it is still very much a low carb and nutritious dish.

How Long Does Salmon Need to Bake at 425?

It should take around 12-14 minutes total.

What Temp Should Salmon Be Cooked to?

The USDA recommends cooking any type of fish to an internal temperature of 145°F to ensure that it is safe to eat.

However, some people prefer their salmon cooked to a lower internal temperature because they prefer it to have a moist texture. Here are the 4 main degrees of doneness to keep in mind.

• Rare: Translucent in the center and has an internal temperature of about 115°F.

• Medium-rare: Starting to turn opaque in the center but is still slightly translucent and has an internal temperature of about 125°F.

• Medium: Mostly opaque but still slightly pink in the center and has an internal temperature of about 135°F.

• Well-done: Completely opaque and has an internal temperature of about 145°F.

Can I Cook This Salmon on the Stove Instead of the Oven?

Yes, pecan crusted salmon can be cooked on the stovetop. Just add a little olive oil to a skillet and cook the salmon for a few minutes on each side.

This cooking method can cause the crust to brown quicker, leaving the inside slightly undercooked. For that reason, make sure to cook it over medium heat so give the inside time to cook properly.

More Keto Salmon Recipes

• Bang Bang Salmon Cakes
• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
• Baked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
• Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
• Asian Glazed Salmon
• Cajun Salmon Alfredo
• Easy Salmon Piccata with Spinach