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!.
This recipe should be your dinner at least once a week to keep your brain healthy and your immune system strong.
People often ask me which recipes from my site I make all the time. This easy crispy salmon recipe is by far one of my favorites!
There’s no better way to enjoy fish than with this dish’s tasty seasoning, tempting crispy skin, and soft fish in the middle.
When I eat crispy salmon skin, it makes my neurotransmitters go crazy (in a good way). I call in bacon of the sea. .
Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that’s not only delicious, but can also be prepared with crispy skin that provides delicious texture and flavor. When cooking salmon in the oven using the right techniques is key for getting the skin ultra crispy. From proper seasoning to high heat and strategic oven rack placement you can easily achieve restaurant-quality crispy salmon skin at home.
Why Crispy Salmon Skin Is So Tasty
When salmon skin is cooked over high heat, the natural oils and fat inside it render and crisp up just right. When cooked properly, salmon skin becomes crispy, crackly, and deeply golden brown. When you compare the crispy outside to the moist, tender salmon inside, you can’t say no.
Crispy salmon skin also boasts an incredible depth of flavor. As the skin crisps in the oven complex flavors develop from browned proteins and sugars through the Maillard reaction. You get enticing notes of umami roasted nuts, and toastiness that pair deliciously with the healthy salmon.
Finally, crispy salmon skin adds great texture to the fish. The crunchy crispy bits contrast nicely with the soft flaky salmon for mouthwatering bites. So for taste texture and visual appeal, aiming for crispy skin is a must when cooking salmon.
How To Crisp Salmon Skin In The Oven
If you follow these tried-and-true tips, it’s easy to get crispy salmon skin in the oven:
Start With High Quality Salmon
Splurge on fresh sushi-grade salmon fillets when possible. The higher fat content helps the skin crisp up better than leaner varieties of salmon. Skin-on fillets are ideal.
Dry The Skin Thoroughly
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels before cooking. Getting rid of excess surface moisture allows the skin to crisp directly when exposed to heat without steaming.
Season Generously With Salt
Salt is crucial for crispy salmon skin. Salt helps dry out the skin, seasons it nicely, and promotes the Maillard browning reaction. Be sure to season the skin side generously with salt. Pepper is also a tasty seasoning.
Preheat The Oven Hot
Crank up your oven as high as it will go, ideally around 500°F. This level of heat from your oven’s broiler is key for getting the salmon skin crisp and browned versus just warm.
Use A Wire Oven Rack
Place the salmon skin-side down on a wire oven rack lined with foil. This allows the heat to circulate all around the fish for even crisping.
Cook On The Top Rack
Position the oven rack holding the salmon on the very top rung, closest to the broiler. This direct exposure to the oven’s high heat crisps up the salmon skin fast.
Broil For 8-12 Minutes
Cook the salmon under the hot broiler for 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. Check for doneness, then broil 2-3 minutes more if needed for crisper skin.
Finish With A Quick Broil
For ultra crispy skin, switch the oven to broil for just 1-2 minutes at the very end to finish it off. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Let It Rest Before Serving
Allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Then the crispy skin will stay crackly and crunchy when you serve it.
Other Tips For Maximizing Crispiness
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Cut 3-4 shallow slices through the salmon skin before cooking. This helps render fat and promotes even crisping.
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Brush the skin with a thin coating of olive or vegetable oil. Adds moisture for improved browning.
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If the skin isn’t crisping up enough during cooking, finish by searing it in a hot skillet for 30 seconds per side.
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Choose thicker salmon fillets, as the greater amount of fatty skin crisps up better than thin pieces.
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Cook the salmon skin-side down the entire time. Flipping halfway through steaming the skin.
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Remove any scales or fins from the salmon skin and rinse under water before patting dry to improve crispiness.
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Use a digital meat thermometer to check doneness. Salmon is perfectly cooked between 145°-150°F.
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For added flavor, brush the salmon skin with teriyaki, soy, or maple syrup before cooking.
Common Crispy Salmon Skin FAQs
Get answers to all your crispy salmon skin questions here:
How long does it take to get crispy salmon skin in the oven?
- At 500°F, salmon skin crisps up beautifully within 8-12 minutes. Thinner fillets may only need 6-8 minutes.
Does covering the salmon with foil help crisp the skin?
- No, foil will steam the salmon and make the skin soggy. The skin must be exposed directly to the oven’s high heat to crisp up.
Should you flip the salmon halfway through baking?
- Flipping the salmon can steam the skin and make it less crispy. Keep it skin-side down the entire time for best results.
Can I crisp up the skin on salmon after baking it?
- Yes! You can quickly broil or pan sear the salmon skin after baking to revive crispy texture.
What oil is best for crispy salmon skin?
- Olive, vegetable, avocado or grapeseed oil are all good choices for brushing on the skin before cooking.
How can I keep leftover salmon skin crispy?
- Store crispy salmon skin-side up on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Reheat gently before serving.
Does brining salmon help get crispy skin?
- Brining can make the skin soggy. It’s better to salt the skin surface only then dry it well before cooking for crispiness.
Can I get crispy salmon skin without an oven?
- Yes, you can pan-fry salmon skin-side down in a little oil to get it crispy on the stovetop.
What sides go well with crispy skin salmon?
- Rice, roasted veggies, salad, or potatoes are perfect pairings. A pan sauce made with the browned bits is also delicious.
Enjoy Restaurant-Worthy Crispy Salmon At Home
With these handy tips, you can achieve satisfyingly crispy salmon skin at home to take this healthy fish to the next level. Crisping the skin not only provides delicious texture and robust flavor, but also makes for an enticing presentation. Top your crispy-skinned salmon with an easy pan sauce and serve with fresh veggies or grains for an impressive yet easy weeknight meal.
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Health Benefits of Salmon:
Salmon that has been caught in the wild is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It’s full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important 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 has B vitamins, which are important for many body functions, such as keeping hormones in check and turning food into energy. It has more potassium per gram than bananas, which keeps you hydrated, keeps your blood pressure in check, and lowers your risk of having a stroke.
In addition, salmon is rich in selenium and the antioxidant, Astaxanthin. Also, astaxanthin can help lower your LDL cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease. If you have high cholesterol, you might want to take 3 to 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids every day to lower it before you think about 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!
If you’re cooking salmon in the oven, use the broiler setting and put the salmon on the third or second-to-top shelf. This will make the skin crispy!
Let’s dive into the details.
- For me, I always broil on high. Set your oven to high broil and move one of the racks to the third shelf from the top. If you broil salmon on the top shelf, the fat can hit the top element and start a fire. I’ve had luck with the second shelf from the top, but this is still too close for some ovens.
- Spray a large baking sheet with cooking oil. If you don’t have a big cookie sheet, use a casserole dish that can go under the broiler and is strong enough to handle high oven temperatures.
- Cover the salmon with its skin down in the dish. Lightly coat the meat with olive oil (or any other cooking oil you like).
- Add your favorite spices on top. For me, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and sea salt are always hits. Note: If you are on a Low-FODMAP diet, don’t use garlic powder and onion powder. Instead, use dried herbs like oregano and thyme.
- On the third-to-top shelf of your oven, place the salmon. Broil it for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on how thick it is. 10 minutes works for me in most cases. Broil the salmon for 6 to 8 minutes if you like it rare (raw in the middle).
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.
Because some people like their salmon medium-rare, you can cook it until it reaches 125 degrees F on the inside.
I warn you not to use this method unless you are sure you are using good salmon that has been frozen to kill any bacteria and parasites.
Even though I try to make my meals more interesting, I always end up back at this one.
If you’d like to cook salmon to perfect doneness without any oil, try my Poached Salmon Recipe!
Otherwise, here are more delicious crispy salmon recipes.