Coconut macadamia crusted salmon is a quick dish featuring salmon fillets piled high with a macadamia nut, coconut, and panko topping. You don't need many ingredients to pull together this healthy seafood recipe.
Well hello, January! Ready or not, full-fledged post-holiday winter is here. I'm not huge on resolutions, but I'm putting forth an effort to jazz up our mostly-healthy weeknight meals with new flavors.
Our go-to salmon recipe is this baked orange salmon that I've shared before. YUM. But a discovery of leftover macadamia nuts in the cabinet from my last batch of lemon white chocolate macadamia nut cookies got the wheels turning.
Macadamia-crusted fish is something I tend to order in a restaurant - what's to prevent me from making it at home? The answer is...nothing at all. It's just one of those meals I love and then promptly forget about. 😂
Ingredients
This topping to this coconut macadamia crusted salmon is thick, crunchy, and so good! It includes:
- roughly ground macadamia nuts
- roughly ground unsweetened coconut flakes
- panko breadcrumbs
- melted coconut oil
The macadamia nuts add a rich flavor that pairs up well with the coconut. In a pinch I've used regular sweetened coconut, but I prefer unsweetened coconut. You'll likely find them right alongside the 'snowflake' flaked coconut varieties in the baking aisle of the grocery store. They provide a coconut flavor more appropriate for a savory recipe like this salmon.
Also in a pinch I've used chopped up pecans instead of macadamia nuts, and that was good, too. Macadamia nuts certainly aren't the cheapest, but you don't need much here.
I like to use melted coconut oil here to enhance the coconut flavor (and keep this recipe dairy-free). I've also used olive oil and it works just fine. Just a slightly different flavor -- you do you.
Instructions
Start by brushing your salmon with oil, seasoning it with some salt and pepper, and then squeezing lemon juice over top (not super mandatory but I like a little citrus in there). Then the next steps are determined by the thickness of your salmon fillets.
If you have a thicker piece of salmon (usually center-cut, around 1 ½" thick), you'll want to bake it for a few minutes before adding the topping.
Reason being that the topping doesn't need that long to toast up nice and golden brown. You'll want to give a thick piece of salmon a head start cooking so the topping doesn't become burnt by the time the fish is fully cooked.
If you have a thinner piece of salmon (closer to the tail end, around 1" thick), the topping can be added right away and be just fine with a 12-15 minute cook time.
The big thing when cooking multiple fillets of fish is that you want them to be as close in thickness to each other as you can get them. That way they cook in the same time.
A general rule of a thumb to follow is that fish needs about six minutes of cook time (at 425°F) per every half-inch of thickness, plus an extra minute or two, as needed.
An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of seeing when it's fully cooked, which will be when the salmon easily flakes and is solid pink throughout. Using a thermometer also helps prevent against overcooking salmon, which can make it dry.
Per foodsafety.gov guidance, salmon is fully cooked when it reaches 145°F in the thickest part. It'll have firmed up and become perfectly flaky.
Recipe Notes
- Use unsweetened coconut flakes instead of the sweetened, "snowflake" coconut. The unsweetened flakes are drier and (obviously) not sweet. Once given a quick whiz or two in the food processor they'll be the perfect size to blend into the topping and provide a hint of coconut flavor without any unnecessary sweetness.
- If you'd rather not use macadamia nuts (or don't have them), pecans work great, too.
Coconut Macadamia Crusted Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, about half a pound each
- ¼ cup ground macadamia nuts
- ¼ cup ground unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil, melted, plus extra for brushing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice from half a lemon, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Place salmon fillets on the baking sheet and brush fillets with oil (either olive oil or a bit of extra melted coconut oil). Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Whiz macadamia nuts and coconut flakes in a food processor to break them into smaller pieces. Add to a bowl with the panko and stir to combine. Pour in 2 tablespoon melted coconut oil and stir until combined and everything is moistened evenly.
If salmon fillets are thicker (1 ½"):
- Place salmon in the oven and bake for 6 minutes. Thicker salmon needs a head start on cooking before adding the topping. Once the 6 minutes are up, remove from the oven and continue on with the next step.
If salmon fillets are thinner (1"):
- Press the macadamia/coconut mixture onto the tops of the fillets and squeeze the lemon juice over both. Place the salmon in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon reaches your preferred doneness or is 145° in the thickest part. Let salmon sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve with additional lemon wedges to squeeze over top if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
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Robbie Scott says
This recipe took us to Hawaii, all over again! My husband said it was restaurant quality! It was outstanding.
I used almond flour instead of the finely chopped macadamia nuts.
I also used avocado oil as that was what I had. The coconut flavor still came through. I also just kept taking the temperature of the fish. I think it was less than 12 mins from start to finish, using Trader Joe’s farmed Norwegian salmon, BBQ cut. I shared this recipe with several family members! Simply amazing!
Alyssa says
I'm happy it was such a hit, Robbie! Thanks for leaving a review and sharing the recipe!
Michelle says
New to cooking salmon so probably a silly question! Do I cook skin side down or up? Or remove skin prior to crusting?
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Alyssa says
Hi Michelle, for this recipe I cook the salmon with the skin side down so it's against the pan. I hope you enjoy!
Cyni says
excellent recipe!
Very, very tasty - I will add it into my salmon dinner rotation for sure!
thanks very much for the great recipe!
Alyssa says
You're so welcome - I'm glad you like it! 🙂
Ann says
This has become a favorite in our house. It is easy to prepare and taste like a restaurant entree. All you need is a side of rice and a simple veggie. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Alyssa says
You're very welcome, Ann! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Karen says
I made this tonight, followed the recipe EXCEPT.... we cooked it on the grill, on a grill pan. The salmon was SO good, the crunchy topping was perfectly golden, & the salmon was so moist. Sprinkled with lemon juice after it came off the grill. YUM!! Will def make again.
One question: HOW do I store leftover topping & for how long? On the counter? In fridge?
Alyssa says
Hi Karen, I'm so glad you liked this salmon! Cooking it on the grill sounds delicious. If you've combined the nuts/coconut/panko by itself you could leave that mixture at room temperature, but if you've added the coconut oil I would refrigerate. You then may need to let it sit out at room temp for a few minutes before topping something and cooking.
Barbara says
I made this using hogfish. It was so good. Thanks for the recipe.
Alyssa says
Yum! You're very welcome, Barbara. 🙂
Lily says
Thanks for sharing. I now have lunch. I made it with cashews.
Alyssa says
So glad you like it, Lily! It sounds delicious with cashews.
Chef Ken Hayes says
I made this recipe and served it with my spicy mango cream sauce it was OUT OF BOUNDS! With Cuban rice and beans and sauteed vegatables. Some crusty bread and a glass of wine perfect meal.
Alyssa says
So glad you liked it! Sounds like you put together a perfect meal.
Karen K says
Do you have a recipe for the mango cream sauce recipe?
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Ooooo I love that you crusted this with the macadamia / coconut combo! I always think about sweets when I think of that combo but I soooo need to branch out to savory! Cheers to the new year lady!
Sues says
Salmon is my absolute favorite and there's probably no better combination than salmon and coconut! Love this tropically fun dish 🙂
Annie says
SALMON! Is there anything better? I don't believe so! This looks perfect!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
We are the biggest salmon lovers here and I love crusting proteins with nuts! Nuts always make it so buttery and delicious but add it to already buttery rich salmon and PERFECTION!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Happy New Year, Alyssa! I hope you had a great idea! I'm ready to get back on track of eating better, because I indulged a little (ok A LOT) too much over the past few weeks. Salmon is a favorite of mine, so this crusted version looks so good! Just what my January needs!