Delicious & Easy Almond Crusted Salmon: Your New Favorite Healthy Weeknight Meal

Experience the perfect blend of flaky salmon and a crunchy, flavorful topping in this incredibly simple and quick Almond Crusted Salmon recipe. It’s an ideal choice for a nutritious and satisfying meal any day of the week.

Looking for more delightful salmon dishes to add to your repertoire? Be sure to explore these mouth-watering recipes: Savory Salmon Burgers with Ginger Wasabi Mayo or this incredibly popular Sweet and Tangy Honey Mustard Salmon.

This post has been sponsored by Diamond Nuts, a brand we trust for quality ingredients.

Embracing a Balanced Lifestyle: Beyond Fad Diets

When it comes to healthy eating, I’ve always found strict dieting to be unsustainable. Crash diets, trendy fad diets, or any restrictive eating plan simply don’t align with my lifestyle or well-being. They often leave me feeling irritable, drained of energy, and obsessing over the foods I’m told I cannot have. This cycle is not only frustrating but also counterproductive to truly healthy habits.

Instead, my philosophy revolves around the power of moderation and making consistently smart food choices. While I admit I don’t always hit the mark perfectly, the intention is always there! My aim is to cultivate a balanced diet rich in whole foods, coupled with regular physical activity. This approach feels more natural, more enjoyable, and ultimately, more effective for long-term health and happiness.

Transforming Lunchtime Habits for a Healthier You

Dinner time at our house usually goes smoothly. We make a conscious effort to gather as a family and share a meal almost every evening – a tradition we successfully uphold about 95% of the time. This dedicated family meal often features a well-balanced plate of proteins, vegetables, and grains, making it a healthy anchor for our day.

However, lunch used to be a completely different story for me. As many busy individuals can relate, the midday rush is often a chaotic whirlwind. After ensuring the kids are fed, I’m typically racing around the house, tackling laundry, tidying up inevitable messes, or rushing to finalize a recipe for photography. It’s a high-energy period where I often neglect my own nutritional needs, leading to less-than-ideal choices. Grabbing a handful of crackers, finishing off the kids’ leftovers, or mindlessly reaching for a cookie became common occurrences. I realized I was falling into a pattern of not prioritizing my own meal, rarely sitting down to truly savor and be present with what I was eating.

The Quest for Quick, Healthy, and Flavorful Meals

It became clear that this pattern needed a significant change. But for any change to stick, especially with my hectic schedule, lunch had to be both easy and fast to prepare. This year, I made a conscious decision to incorporate more fish into my diet. Fish, particularly salmon, emerged as the perfect solution: it’s incredibly quick-cooking, wonderfully versatile, and packed with essential nutrients, making it an ideal choice for a healthy and convenient midday meal. It’s almost shocking to realize how long it’s been since I last shared a non-shrimp fish recipe (September 2012!). Consider this a promise: more delicious fish dishes are definitely on the way!

This particular Almond Crusted Salmon recipe exemplifies just how simple it is to whip up a nutritious and satisfying lunch. From start to finish, the entire process takes mere minutes. By the time my oven had preheated, the salmon was already prepped and ready to go in. Many people express intimidation when it comes to cooking fish at home, but I’m here to tell you it’s genuinely one of the easiest proteins to prepare. In my opinion, it’s far less daunting and significantly faster than cooking chicken breast, yielding delicious results with minimal effort.

The Perfect Crust: Almonds, Panko, and Fresh Herbs

I originally chose salmon for this recipe because I happened to have a single fillet in my freezer, but the beauty of this dish is its adaptability. Virtually any firm white fish, such as cod, halibut, or even tilapia, would work beautifully with this simple yet elegant crust. The magic lies in the combination of healthy Diamond Sliced Almonds, which provide a delightful nutty flavor and satisfying crunch, with light and airy Panko breadcrumbs. A hint of fresh basil adds an aromatic herbaceous note, while a touch of lemon zest brightens the entire flavor profile. This blend ensures the fish is not only perfectly cooked but also bursting with just enough texture and taste.

As with many fish preparations, a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the cooked salmon just before serving is highly recommended. This simple step truly elevates the flavors, adding a vibrant acidity that cuts through the richness of the fish and complements the crunchy crust. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.

Through this recipe, I’ve proven to myself and hopefully to you that a meal can be effortlessly easy, incredibly fast, wonderfully healthy, and undeniably full of flavor. There’s no need to compromise on taste or nutrition, even on the busiest of days.

Explore More Salmon Favorites

If you’re as much of a salmon enthusiast as we are, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

• Zesty Soy Ginger Salmon with Sesame Green Beans
• Amazingly Moist Salmon with Peppery Cheese Bread
• Crispy Panko Crusted Salmon with Homemade Tartar Sauce
• Perfectly Pan-Fried Salmon with Zesty Remoulade and Glazed Carrots
• Exquisite Salmon with Mango and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa

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Almond Crusted Salmon Recipe

Rated: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 1 vote)

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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This effortless Almond Crusted Salmon recipe offers a delightful blend of tender salmon and a crunchy, flavorful topping, making it a perfect choice for a quick and healthy meal. It’s ideal for a busy weeknight dinner or a light, satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sliced Diamond Almonds, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 salmon fillets (6-8 oz each), skin on or off
• Sliced lemons for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the salmon from sticking.
2. In a small bowl, combine the roughly chopped sliced almonds, panko breadcrumbs, fresh chopped basil, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all the ingredients are well mixed and evenly distributed.
3. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Evenly divide the almond mixture among the 4 fillets and sprinkle it generously over the tops of each piece of salmon. Gently press the breading into the fish with your fingertips to help it adhere during the baking process.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon reaches your desired level of doneness. The fish should be opaque throughout and flake easily with a fork when tested. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your fillets.
5. Serve the Almond Crusted Salmon immediately, garnished with additional fresh lemon slices on the side. Squeezing fresh lemon juice over the top just before eating will brighten the flavors and add a refreshing finish.

Recipe Notes:

The nutritional information provided here is an estimate only and may vary based on specific brands and products used. This information should be considered a general guideline for your dietary planning rather than exact values.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 290 kcal (15% Daily Value)
• Carbohydrates: 4g (1% Daily Value)
• Protein: 35g (70% Daily Value)
• Fat: 14g (22% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 2g (13% Daily Value)
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 94mg (31% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 248mg (11% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 886mg (25% Daily Value)
• Fiber: 1g (4% Daily Value)
• Sugar: 0.5g (1% Daily Value)
• Vitamin A: 121 IU (2% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 0.2mg
• Calcium: 45mg (5% Daily Value)
• Iron: 2mg (11% Daily Value)

Keywords: almond crusted salmon, easy salmon recipe, healthy fish dinner, quick weeknight meal, baked salmon, omega-3 rich, crunchy salmon, lemon basil salmon

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