This Easy Maple Glazed Salmon is a quick and easy recipe perfect for weeknight dinners because it's ready in 20 minutes! This dish is drizzled in a garlic, soy, and syrup marinade for tender flaky salmon.
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Seafood is my thing! So are quick recipes. This is something you can whip up with very little effort and time! Pair it with any of your favorite veggies and sides.
Table of Contents
What Type of Salmon to Use/Skin On or Skin Off?
I like to use wild caught salmon. It has a beautiful bright color and a buttery taste. It is the most healthy type to purchase.
Salmon that is sourced from the Atlantic is usually farmed. Farmed means antibiotics and food coloring (to give it a pink color) are used. This adds harmful chemical additives to the fish. So I usually try to look for wild caught salmon.
You will also want to use individual fillets, as opposed to a full plank. Opt for 6-8oz fillets.
When you cook the salmon, keep that skin on: It provides a safety layer between your fish's flesh and a hot pan or grill. That's how you get juicy salmon!
I don't eat the skin on the salmon. How to remove skin from salmon after cooking is really easy. The fish will glide right off the skin! This is a sign of perfectly cooked salmon. Salmon that flakes and glides will taste amazing. You won't need to remove a thing.
Maple Glaze Ingredients
You want to use quality maple syrup in this recipe. Regular pancake syrup won't do. I'm using the Maple Syrup from ChocZero because it's sugar-free and results in a much healthier recipe. What I love most about this syrup is it's THICK! It isn't watery at all and it's perfect for coating salmon.
You will also need soy sauce, garlic powder, and lemon juice.
How to Make Maple Glazed Salmon
Detailed ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Allow the salmon to come to room temperature. Pat the salmon dry.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and season the salmon with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Bake, air fry, or pan sear.
How to Tell When Salmon Has Finished Cooking
The color of the salmon will become lighter as it cooks. You can monitor the color of the sides to determine doneness. When the color of the side of the salmon has lightened about ¾ths of the way up, it's time to flip (when pan searing). When baking or air frying, at this point, you know the salmon only has a couple of minutes left to cook.
Other Seasonings and Substitutions
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Creole Seasoning
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Cilantro
- Ginger
- Mustard
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Overcooked Salmon
Overcooked salmon is dry and has little flavor. Fish (along with meat) will continue to cook when you remove it from heat. This is why it's important to pay attention to how long the fish cooks.
When the fish is done, it will be a translucent pink in the middle. It should also look flaky. You can check out more tips on How to Tell if Salmon is Overcooked here.
How to Store the Salmon/How Long Will it Last in the Fridge
Store the salmon tightly covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
In general, I recommend you avoid the microwave when you reheat seafood. Seafood and fish are super delicate and microwaves cook at super high temperatures.
Since the fish is fully cooked, even a few minutes of additional cooking at a high temperature will result in dry overcooked salmon.
I recommend you use the air fryer or oven. If using the oven, put the fish on a rimmed baking sheet, loosely covered in foil, and warm it a 275 degrees oven for 10-15 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F.
If using the air fryer, reheat it on 200 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until warm.
If you use the microwave, be swift! Don't leave it in too long.
You can follow tons of tips on reheating, and salmon simply will not taste the exact same the next day. It's best when served fresh. The key to optimizing the taste for leftovers is to avoid overcooking it on the front end, and reheating it without the microwave.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze the salmon, tightly covered or sealed, for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and follow the steps above for reheating.
Recipe Tips
- Dry the salmon thoroughly before coating it in oil. Wet salmon is more likely to stick to the pan (when searing) and in general when cooked with any method will increase the likelihood of overcooked salmon.
- Avoid using salmon cold and straight from the fridge. I like to pull the salmon from the fridge and coat it in olive oil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Allow it to come to room temperature prior to cooking.
Pair and Serve This Salmon With These Sides
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Mixed Vegetables
Keto Cauliflower Mash
More Salmon and Fish Recipes
Pan-Seared Salmon
Baked Parmesan Salmon
Salmon Fried Rice
Blackened Salmon
Keto Salmon Patties
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Air Fryer Salmon
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
Crab Stuffed Salmon
Tuna Poke Bowls
Blackened Fish Tacos
Seafood Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ninja Foodi Grill Salmon
Easy Maple Glazed Salmon
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Ingredients
Salmon
- ½ pound salmon fillets This was 2 fillets. I use wild-caught salmon.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Maple Glaze
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Allow the salmon to come to room temperature. Pat the salmon dry.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon and season the salmon with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Air Fryer
- Air fry the salmon for 5 minutes on 360 degrees. Open the air fryer and add the maple glaze to the top of the fillets.
- Air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes. Mine was ready right at 10 minutes total cooking. Use a meat thermometer and test that the inside of the salmon has reached 145 degrees.
- Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Pan Seared and Cast Iron
- Place a cast iron grill pan or cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. I like to use a cast iron grill pan, but any pan will work.
- When the pan is hot, add the salmon to the pan with the skin side up.
- Allow the salmon to cook for 4 minutes. Do not move the salmon after you have placed it in the skillet.Monitor the sides of the salmon to determine the perfect time to flip. When the color of the side of the salmon has lightened about ¾ths of the way up, it's time to flip. This usually only takes 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the salmon. I find a silicone spatula works best. Add the maple glaze to the salmon.
- Cook skin side down for 4 minutes.
- Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Baked Salmon
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the salmon. Cover with another piece of parchment paper.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the parchment paper and add the maple glaze to the top of the fillets. Do not add the parchment paper back to the salmon. Bake for another 5 minutes.
- Allow the salmon to cool before serving.
Notes
- You can easily double this recipe by doubling the ingredients.
- Macros assume sugar-free maple syrup is used. Feel free to use your favorite macros calculator to calculate the macros using your syrup of choice.
- The baked and air fryer methods allow the maple glaze to really sink into the salmon.
- Dry the salmon thoroughly before coating it in oil. Wet salmon is more likely to stick to the pan (when searing) and in general, when cooked with any method will increase the likelihood of overcooked salmon.
- Avoid using salmon cold and straight from the fridge. I like to pull the salmon from the fridge and coat it in olive oil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Allow it to come to room temperature prior to cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Ma’Kayla D. says
Unless you’re new around here, we know Brandi never disappoints, but this one right here..she was not lying about it being juicy! This recipe in combination with the perfect tips to make the perfect salmon is just unreal. So flavorful, so easy, AND QUICK! Paired it with the StaySnatched air fryer sweet potato recipe and a generic Brussels sprouts Recipe; chef’s kiss! The tips are so appreciated and truly help to ensure the salmon comes out perfect every time.
staysnatched says
Thank you so much for that!
Lydia says
I made this using a cast iron skillet. I happened to have exactly 2 tablespoons of some Choc Zero pecan maple syrup. This recipe does not disappoint. Brandi’s instructions and cook time are on point.
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it worked out!
SD says
Tried this recipe recently for dinner, it was absolutely delish. Will definitely be making this again soon. Thanks @stay_snatched 😋
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
AKM says
Sounds great! My boyfriend eats salmon constantly and I eat keto, so this would be a winner for date-night dinner-at-home. (But you have to eat the skin! That's where all the Omega-3 goodness is! Fried skins are the fishy version of bacon or jerky, too, and it's my favorite type of sushi [when I flout the keto rules and eat sushi, that is.])
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy it!
Cat says
I made this last night and my whole family LOVED it! My 3-year-old actually asked for 5(!!) helpings! Served it with rice and broccoli. Definitely adding this to the weekly rotation.
staysnatched says
I love to hear it!
Emma says
This was delicious and so simple to make! I love how detailed your recipes and instructions are. Previously when I've made salmon in the air fryer and added a glaze I put it in at the beginning instead of air frying the salmon for a few minutes first. It made all the difference! For sure adding this recipe to my meal rotation.
staysnatched says
I'm glad it worked out!
Alanna says
I made this last night in my air fryer. So quick, easy and delicious! Definitely going into my regular rotation.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it will be in the rotation!
Katie says
This is the first recipe I’ve made of Brandi’s, and I know it won’t be my last. This is so EASY and straight forward. I’ve been looking for alternatives for recipes that aren’t loaded with sugar and this definitely hits.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Skye says
Stop overcooking salmon y’all! This recipe is a great combo and a nice switch up. Easy, quick and as always appreciate the tips for the different methods.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Jacqueline says
Loved the flavor in this recipe. Best part was the simple ingredients, they are all kitchen staples. I made it 4 times this past week!
Great tip on room temp cooking Brandi. I am sometimes guilty of being in a rush and not waiting.
staysnatched says
I'm glad the tip was helpful.
Nancy says
Hi Brandi! Tried this recipe today using the air fryer (something new for me) & the salmon turned out delicious!
Thanks for the detailed instructions, they really helped.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kamana says
Did this for my lunch today and ended up eating half of it before I got to the office. Did it in my Cosori recommended by you of course and it came out perfect. I paired it with a simple arugula salad. Thank you so much. Your recipes never disappoint
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Angele D says
Simple and easy recipe to follow. I have been using this method to cook salmon all the time now! I love that it is a single turn and minimal ingredient.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoy it.
Alex says
Working from home indefinitely, has me bored of every delivery service. I love this recipe because it’s fool proof. I can pop it in the air fryer and have a fresh quick meal on my lunch break. It’s way more tender than baking salmon. I’ve made it several times and my salmon comes out perfect every time!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad to hear it.
Crystal says
I've never made or had salmon before so when I saw this recipe, I knew I wanted to try it. And I'm so glad I did because it was absolutely delicious! The tips about when to flip was great and I didn't have to scramble to find instructions elsewhere. I served this with your air-fryer green beans, another recipe that is delicious. This is a Greek weeknight before for all those of us who are busy.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sydney says
I love how thorough you make your directions. This per usual didn’t miss. This makes me feel like I can actually cook! I paired this with your air fryer sweet potato and it was amazing!!!
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Angele D says
Coming back in 2022 to say this is still my favorite salmon and cooking method!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I love to hear that.
Ashley says
Made this because I had salmon and I knew Brandi was gonna have a recipe that would be easy but delicious and that’s exactly what this recipe was! Loved it!!!!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you love it!
Melissa says
Delicious and so easy! I was going to make it on the cast iron but I read the comment about the glaze soaking into the salmon more in the air fryer…10 minutes and done!
staysnatched says
Awesome.
Erica K says
This right here! The real maple syrup made a big difference in the sweet goodness that this Salmon gave my taste buds! I baked this salmon because I’m not frying lately, but that didn’t take away from the goodness of this salmon. All of the ingredients that Brandi noted paired perfectly. This will become a normal salmon staple in my home for sure. My son loved it as he does the rest of the dishes I make from Stay Snatched. Keep these easy salmon recipes coming please.
staysnatched says
Awesome! So glad to hear it.
Paloma says
I make this once a week, so good!
staysnatched says
Perfect weeknight meal!