Best Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise Recipe

This easy baked salmon with mayonnaise comes together in just a few minutes using simple ingredients! Deliciously flaky and perfect for busy weeknights.

Make this baked salmon with mayonnaise for a quick and easy dinner that doesn’t fall short on flavor!

I know not everyone is a fan of mayo, but it’s the secret behind this soft, moist salmon fillet that flakes easily with a fork every single time. 😋

Just spread some seasoned mayonnaise and parmesan cheese on top of the salmon fillet, cook for a few minutes, and you might never bake your salmon any other way again after tasting this unassuming twist on baked salmon.

What Is Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise?

Baked salmon with mayonnaise and cheese is exactly what it sounds: oven-baked salmon fillets with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese. 

When we think of baked salmon, it’s often a very basic recipe. Just season some salmon fillets, top them with olive oil and herbs, maybe squeeze some lemon juice on them, and then bake until the salmon is flaky. 

While “classic” baked salmon is delicious, those who have made the dish at home know that the fish sometimes comes out dry. Who would enjoy a piece of dry salmon???

Introducing this baked salmon fillet with mayonnaise recipe!

We’ll simply mix mayonnaise with some seasonings and spread that on top of the salmon fillets. After baking for 8 to 10 minutes, we’ll be rewarded with perfectly moist, buttery, flaky salmon.

The creamy crust of this mayo baked salmon is also, uhm, excuse my language, to die for!

Even if you’re not a fan of mayo, you’ll enjoy this recipe because every bite tastes perfectly balanced.

If you don’t like fish, the mayo-parmesan topping on this dish will definitely make you appreciate salmon’s tender and flaky flesh. No off-putting fishy taste or odor here!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect For Busy Weeknights: With just a few common ingredients, you can easily make a satisfying and delicious dinner. This baked salmon mayo recipe is also finished in under 15 minutes, depending on the size of the fillets.
• No-Fail Baked Salmon: Get perfectly moist and flaky baked salmon fillet every single time. The creamy mayo-parmesan topping locks all the delicious juices in the salmon for that mouthwatering buttery texture. 🤤
• Irresistible Even For Picky Eaters: Whether it’s someone who says they don’t like fish or it’s you who often avoid mayonnaise, anyone will crave this baked salmon with mayo every once in a while after trying it! The combination of textures and flavors in this dish makes every mouthful simply glorious!

What Does Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise And Parmesan Cheese Taste Like?

Baking salmon with mayo is an easy and shockingly tasty way to elevate the usual baked salmon fillet. With this recipe, your salmon will taste rich, savory, and just overall scrumptious.

When I first tried mayo baked salmon, I never thought the topping was mayonnaise. If no one told me, I would just assume it’s a very thick bechamel sauce. It actually reminded me of the basic white sauce I make for my baked mac!

So, if you’re still on the fence with the mayo-parmesan crust, I’m here to reassure you that it’s not greasy or overly rich.

The few simple seasonings, aka just some salt and pepper from your pantry, are enough to make this easy weeknight dish flavorful. The citrus flavor from the lemon zest also adds depth to the overall taste of the flaky baked salmon. 😋

There are many ways to modify the creamy crust on top of the salmon, and you can get creative with the seasonings for your fillet to tailor this recipe to your palate. Try our yummy ideas for ingredient additions just a few scrolls below! 👇

Is Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise And Cheese Healthy?

Salmon is one of my favorite fish because it’s deliciously fatty and healthy. It’s a fantastic source of heart-healthy fats, B vitamins, potassium, and selenium, all important for our body’s numerous processes. 

However, this recipe is quite indulgent. After all, it’s baked salmon with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese! 😅 

Baking fresh fish with mayo seals all the delicious moisture in the fillet, but mayo also bumps up the calories of the baked salmon fillet.

The good news is you can pair this rich and satisfying dish with healthy dishes you usually ignore on their own.

Perhaps you don’t enjoy steamed greens, but serving them with mayo baked salmon makes it easier to chow down the fiber-rich greens. 

And if you want to manage your portions, another delicious way to enjoy the salmon-mayo combo is with our sushi bake cups. Because you can eat them utensil-free, you can just limit yourself to a few pieces and keep those calories in check!

What Are The Benefits Of Baked Salmon Fillet With Mayonnaise?

Baked salmon fillet with mayonnaise will satisfy your savory cravings even on busy weeknights. You don’t need to visit the grocery for special ingredients, and the fillets are ready to be devoured in just under 15 minutes!

Instead of the usual pan-seared salmon or basic baked salmon (the usual recipe without mayo,) you can whip up something more satisfying using a simple mayonnaise topping on the fillets. 

The salmon will be perfectly moist, and the dish tastes like something you get when dining out!

And because it’s oven-baked, you can conveniently prepare other side dishes with it. This is great if you’re hosting! 

After arranging the fillets on the baking pan, you can load the sides with vegetables tossed in olive oil and seasonings. You’ll get a creamy, flaky salmon fillet with nice, crunchy veggies, all prepared in a jiffy!

Ingredients For Baked Salmon Mayo

• Salmon fillets – We’ll use skin-on salmon fillets for this recipe. Remember, your cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets!
• Mayonnaise – Slathering baked salmon with mayonnaise keeps the fillet moist and perfectly buttery after cooking. 🤤
• Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not the store-bought ones in containers! You can also try other types of cheese for this baked salmon fillet with mayonnaise. 
• Salt – We’ll season our mayo parmesan baked salmon with some good old salt and pepper.
• Ground black pepper – Besides black pepper, baked salmon with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese can go well with other hot spices for a nice kick. 😋
• Lemon zest – The citrus zing is just perfect with our cheesy mayo topping on flaky baked salmon!
• Fresh parsley – Feel free to garnish your baked salmon with your favorite herbs! 
• Non-stick cooking spray – For greasing the baking pan and keeping the salmon skin from sticking. 

Tools Needed To Prepare Baked Salmon Mayo

• Paper towels for patting the salmon fillets dry
• Baking pan for cooking baked salmon with mayo

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise

Panko crust

Looking for some crunch in this baked salmon dish? Quickly toast some whole wheat panko crumbs and sprinkle them on your salmon fillet before serving!

Additional seasonings

Baking salmon with mayo creates a mouthwatering buttery fillet that’s delicious with different seasonings.

Make this recipe with garlic powder and paprika to give your baked salmon fillets a well-rounded flavor in every bite!

Garnishes

Get creative with how you present your easy mayo baked salmon! Add color to your plating with some scallions and lemon wedges.

How to Bake Salmon with Mayonnaise

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs salmon fillets
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Non-stick cooking spray

Tools you need:

• Paper towels
• Baking pan

Instructions:

STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your baked salmon with mayo. Preheat the oven to 450°F and grease the baking pan.

STEP 2: Pat your salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Mix salt, pepper, lemon zest, and mayonnaise together.

STEP 3: Arrange the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down on your baking sheet.

STEP 4: Spread the mayonnaise mixture over the fillets and sprinkle them with grated parmesan cheese.

STEP 5: Bake the salmon fillets for 8 minutes.

STEP 6: Serve with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!

What To Serve With Baked Salmon Fillet With Mayonnaise

Baking salmon with mayo makes the fillet deliciously soft and moist. And, of course, the parmesan mayo topping is rich and creamy, the perfect partner to buttery, flaky salmon!

The best sides to serve with baked salmon with mayonnaise are light dishes like salads or sauteed veggies like green beans with garlic.

But since we’re doing the dish in the oven, we might as well partner our baked salmon fillet with baked asparagus or roasted potatoes! They’re the perfect combos for hosting since you can make everything in one go in the oven. 

Pasta dishes will also accompany our mayo baked salmon well for a filling and ultra-satisfying dinner. Creamy lemon butter pasta would be amazing with the baked salmon fillet! 🤤

Speaking of salads and pasta, why not try something beyond the usual Caesar salad and white sauce pasta? Serve your baked salmon with our hot girl summer salad or French onion pasta.

Tips About Making Baking Salmon With Mayo

First time baking salmon with mayo? Here are some helpful tips to remember:

• Don’t make the same mistake I did! Make clean-up a breeze by greasing the baking pan beforehand with non-stick cooking spray. This will keep the salmon skin from sticking to the pan. 
• Besides testing the flakiness of the salmon fillet with a fork, the best way to tell if your baked salmon with mayo is done is with a thermometer. FDA’s recommended internal temperature is 145°F for cooked seafood.
• Can you make this recipe in the air fryer? Absolutely! If you have no oven, just cook your salmon in the air fryer for around 10 minutes at 400°F, depending on the type of air fryer you have and the size of the salmon fillet.

This baked salmon fillet recipe won’t taste good if your salmon is not fresh. Here’s an easy way to tell if salmon is bad to save you all the trouble.

How To Store Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise And Parmesan

• Fridge: Transfer your leftover baked salmon with mayo to an airtight container, and enjoy it within 3 days. If you want to save on prep time, prepare the salmon fillets with the mayo parmesan topping and store them raw for a day or two before baking. 
• Freezer: Yeah, nope. Remember that we used mayo on this dish, which does not freeze well!
• Reheating: To reheat, simply place your leftover baked salmon in the oven preheated to 350°F until warmed through. I know microwaving the fish seems more convenient, but you’ll just risk drying out your cooked salmon.

What Not To Do When Cooking Salmon

I know it can be intimidating to cook salmon. But don’t worry, I got you. Here are some mistakes you can easily avoid so you won’t ruin your delicious salmon dinner:

• You don’t need to remove the skin on your salmon fillets because it contributes to the dish’s flavor and contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Keeping the skin on the fillet will also prevent it from falling apart.
• Always cook your salmon skin-side down! Otherwise, you’ll risk overcooking your fillet because the salmon flesh will brown too quickly in the oven. 
• Worried about overcooking your salmon? Check the internal temperature! The flesh should also be dark orange, not translucent (raw) or white (overcooked.)

What Should You Season Salmon With?

Salmon is already flavorful and delicious, so a simple combo of salt and black pepper is usually enough to season the fillet. 

Fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and butter are other enjoyable flavors with salmon.

If baking salmon with mayonnaise, consider experimenting with different combinations like sriracha and mayo!

This pairing reminds me of our easy sushi bake recipe (which, by the way, is perfect with leftover salmon!) 😋

FAQ About Baked Salmon With Mayo

Conclusion

Make weeknight dinners special in under 15 minutes with this fuss-free baked salmon with mayonnaise recipe!

You’ll only need some everyday ingredients to whip up the creamy, savory dish, guaranteed to make both fish and mayo haters instant fans. 

Thanks to the parmesan-mayo topping, the salmon fillet will be perfectly moist and flaky. Say adios to baked salmon that comes out dry and bland!

If this baked salmon with mayonnaise and parmesan cheese makes your mouth water, check these 25 Savory Salmon Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind.

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