Coconut Crusted Salmon with Pineapple Salsa (Printable)

Crispy coconut-crusted salmon meets zesty pineapple salsa for a perfect tropical main course.

# What You Need:

→ For the Salmon & Coconut Crust

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

→ For the Pineapple Salsa

09 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced (about ½ medium pineapple)
10 - ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
11 - ¼ cup red onion, minced
12 - 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - Juice of 1 lime
14 - 1 tsp honey, optional for extra sweetness
15 - Pinch of sea salt

→ For Serving

16 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

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 if using, and a pinch of sea salt. Toss gently and set aside to let flavors meld.
04 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. When oil shimmers, place coated salmon fillets in the skillet. Sear for 3–4 minutes until golden-brown. Flip fillets and sear the other side for 2–3 minutes. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 8–10 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.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The coconut creates this incredible crispy crunch that somehow stays light and never heavy
  • That pineapple salsa cuts through the richness like sunshine on a cloudy day
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting period because cutting into the salmon too soon will let all those flavorful juices escape
  • Keep an eye on the coconut crust during the last few minutes of baking because it can go from golden to burnt quickly
03 -
  • Use a fish spatula for flipping because it is thin enough to slide under the delicate crust without damaging it
  • Let your skillet get properly hot before adding the salmon because that initial sear locks in the crust
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