Coconut Crusted Salmon with Pineapple Salsa (Printable Version)

Buttery salmon with crispy coconut crust and refreshing pineapple salsa

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Salmon and Coconut Crust

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin removed
02 - 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
03 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Pineapple Salsa

09 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
10 - ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
11 - ¼ cup red onion, minced
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - Juice of 1 lime
14 - 1 teaspoon honey
15 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Serving

16 - Lime wedges

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
02 - In a shallow dish, combine shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs. In a separate dish, lightly beat the eggs. Dip each salmon fillet into the egg, allowing excess to drip off, then press into the coconut-panko mixture to coat all sides evenly.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine diced pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Add lime juice, honey, and a pinch of sea salt. Toss gently and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
04 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When oil shimmers, place coated salmon fillets in the skillet. Sear for 3 to 4 minutes until golden-brown. Flip fillets and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
05 - Remove salmon from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Plate salmon and top each fillet with a generous spoonful of pineapple salsa. Garnish with lime wedges and a drizzle of pan juices if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The coconut crust stays crackling and golden even after it's baked, which is harder to pull off than you'd think.
  • Your kitchen will smell like a vacation—that toasted coconut aroma lingers in the best way possible.
  • You can have this entirely plated and on the table in under 45 minutes, making it surprisingly weeknight-friendly.
02 -
  • If your coconut crust burns before the salmon finishes cooking, your skillet is too hot or your fillets are too thick; reduce heat slightly or pound them to a more even thickness before coating.
  • The pineapple salsa gets watery if made too far ahead, so prepare it no more than 30 minutes before serving, and save the cilantro to sprinkle on at the very end.
03 -
  • If your salmon is particularly thick, pound it gently to an even half-inch thickness before seasoning, which ensures even cooking and a better crust-to-fish ratio.
  • Don't skip the resting step after cooking—those 5 minutes make the difference between flaky, tender salmon and one that's slightly dry; the carry-over heat is your friend here.
Return to Recipe