If you love the parmesan salmon recipe, you’ll enjoy this simple 3-ingredient Pesto Salmon. It’s quick, flavorful, and can be cooked in the air fryer or the oven for a fast weeknight dinner.
Pesto Salmon — Air Fryer or Oven
If you need easy meals that come together quickly on busy evenings, this 3-ingredient pesto salmon is perfect. With minimal prep and big flavor from basil, garlic, and Parmesan in the pesto, this dish pairs beautifully with a vegetable and a simple salad for a complete, healthy dinner in minutes.
Why this Pesto Salmon works
- Simple: Only three main ingredients.
- Zero chopping: No washing, chopping, or blending required if you buy prepared pesto.
- Flavorful: Pesto delivers basil, garlic, and Parmesan for an instant flavor boost.
- Nutritious: Salmon is rich in protein, healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals.
- Quick: An air fryer cooks these fillets in about seven minutes; in the oven dinner is ready in under 15 minutes.
Pesto Salmon Ingredients
- Salmon: Two fillets (about 5 ounces each) with the skin on. Wild-caught is preferred when available. If using frozen salmon, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Pesto: Use store-bought pesto or make your own basil pesto. Choose a pesto you enjoy since it is the primary seasoning.
- Parmesan: Shredded Parmesan to sprinkle on top of each fillet before cooking.
How to make Pesto Salmon
- Prepare the fillets: Pat salmon dry and place skin-side down. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pesto over the top of each fillet.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of shredded Parmesan over the pesto on each fillet.
- Air fryer method: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 7 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches your preferred doneness.
- Oven method: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the fillets on a lightly oiled sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness.
What to serve with Pesto Salmon
This versatile salmon works with many sides. Try some of these easy pairings:
- Vegetables: Roasted mushrooms, roasted broccoli, broccolini, or cauliflower rice.
- Starches: Rice, quinoa, or orzo. Roasted baby potatoes are also a great match.
- Salads: A large green salad, a tomato salad, or a simple house salad to round out the meal.
FAQs
Yes. Pesto pairs remarkably well with salmon—its bright herb and garlic notes complement the fish’s richness and add immediate flavor without much fuss.
Salmon is a healthy choice, but most nutrition authorities recommend moderation. For example, some guidance suggests aiming for about two servings of fish per week as part of a balanced diet. Enjoy salmon regularly, but vary your protein sources over time.
Storage
Leftover cooked salmon will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the microwave, air fryer, or oven until warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep the fish tender and juicy.
Pesto Salmon — Recipe Summary
Pesto Salmon Recipe
If you like simple, flavorful dinners, this 3-ingredient pesto salmon is a winner. Make it in the air fryer or the oven.
Yield: 2 servings | Serving size: 1 piece salmon
Prep: 2 mins | Cook: 6–12 mins | Total: ~14 mins
Calories: 290 | Protein: 30 g | Carbs: 2 g | Fat: 17 g
Equipment
- Air fryer (optional)
- Sheet pan (for oven baking)
Ingredients
- 2 (5-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on
- 2 tablespoons prepared pesto (1 tablespoon per fillet)
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese (1 tablespoon per fillet)
Instructions — Air Fryer
- Spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over each salmon fillet and top with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 7 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily and is cooked to your liking. Adjust time for thicker fillets.
Instructions — Oven
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly oil a small sheet pan.
- Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over each fillet and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on fillet thickness, until the fish flakes easily.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 290; Carbohydrates: 2 g; Protein: 30 g; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 83.5 mg; Sodium: 230 mg; Sugar: 0.5 g.
If you try this recipe, consider sharing how you served it and any tweaks you made—simple changes like swapping side dishes, adding lemon, or topping with extra greens can make it your own.