Almond Crusted Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Salmon Lovers, This One’s For You

As the weather gets warmer, I find myself craving lighter meals – and salmon is always a good option.

If you’re a fan of salmon like I am, have I got a flavorful and easy recipe for you!

This almond encrusted salmon comes together in just 30 minutes, looks amazingly gourmet, and is the perfect light meal for the warmer days of summer!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this almond-crusted salmon recipe are easily found at the local grocery store (nothing fancy needed)!
• Uncomplicated and Quick to Make: All you need to do is mix the ingredients for the easy almond crust, then press it on top of the salmon fillets and bake! It really doesn’t get much easier than this! This 30-minute meal makes a nutritious dinner for busy weeknights too.
• Perfect Texture: With a soft, tender and flaky texture on the inside, and a crunchy coating outside, this delicious baked salmon with almonds is about to be a favorite dinner!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this healthy salmon recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb, which means that even those with Celiac disease or dairy or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this almond crusted salmon recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions

• Salmon: I like using salmon with the skin on as it provides more flavor and taste, but feel free to use skinless salmon skillets if you prefer. You can use either fresh salmon or frozen salmon (just make sure to defrost the frozen salmon completely before cooking).
• Chopped Almonds: You can either chop whole almonds very roughly or chop them a little more finely. Alternatively, you can also use almond meal or almond flour instead of chopped almonds (just note that almond meal is a lot finer in texture). Alternatively, if you don’t have almonds, you can always use chopped pecans or chopped walnuts instead.
• Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil because of the flavor, but you can also use melted vegan butter or another oil if you prefer (such as avocado oil, coconut oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use melted butter instead.
• Granulated Garlic: If you’re a fan of garlic like myself, definitely make sure to add in the granulated garlic. Alternatively, you can also use garlic powder or dried minced garlic instead.
• Paprika: I like adding a bit of ground paprika for a kick of heat. You may also use red chili powder, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. If you’re not a fan of heat, feel free to leave it out.
• Dill: I like the combination of the flavors of dill with salmon, but you can also use other fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary or parsley if you prefer.
• Parmesan: I used grated dairy-free parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use nutritional yeast if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal parmesan cheese instead.

How to Make Almond Crusted Salmon (Step by Step):

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 360F.

2. Prepare Almond Crust Mixture

Mix the chopped almonds, dill, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small bowl.

3. Place Salmon in Baking Dish

Grease a large baking dish or baking sheet with the remaining olive oil or cooking spray.

Lay out the salmon fillets (with the skin side on the bottom). Pat salmon fillets with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Salt it and sprinkle it with the spices and condiments.

4. Top Salmon with Almond Mixture

Top the salmon fillets with the mixture of crushed almonds and dill.

5. Bake Until Ready

Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes (do NOT over-bake).

6. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the baked almond crusted salmon right away with your side of choice and fresh lemon wedges. It’s super important not to over-bake it in the oven, as this will make the salmon dry.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks

• Swap Out Almonds For Other Nuts: In this almond crusted salmon recipe, almonds are the star, but if you don’t have almonds on hand, you can also use other types of chopped nuts if you prefer (such as chopped pecans or chopped walnuts instead).
• Don’t Over-Bake: Make sure not to bake the salmon for too long as that will cause the salmon to be too dry.
• Use Other Fish or Protein: If you don’t have salmon, feel free to use other types of fish such as cod, trout, walleye, grouper or sea bass. Alternatively, you can also use other proteins such as pork chops or lamb chops.

Recipe FAQs:

What to Serve Salmon With:

• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Air Fryer Green Beans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cucumber Cabbage Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Other Gluten-Free Salmon Recipes You’ll Love:

• Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Salmon Kabobs in the Oven (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Firecracker Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Dinners to Enjoy: