Irresistible Maple Glazed Baked Salmon

If you ask me, maple glazed salmon is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually super simple to make.

This baked salmon recipe brings together the sweet taste of maple syrup with tender, flaky fish. The glaze caramelizes in the oven, creating a sticky coating that’s packed with flavor.

It starts with salmon fillets brushed with a mixture of maple syrup, soy sauce, and garlic before going into the oven. The result is fish that’s perfectly cooked through with a golden, glossy finish.

It’s a family-friendly dinner that works great for busy weeknights, and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

What Kind of Salmon Should I Use?

You can choose farm-raised or wild-caught salmon for this recipe, and both will work great with the maple glaze. Atlantic, sockeye, or coho salmon are all good options, though wild-caught tends to have a slightly firmer texture and more pronounced flavor. If you’re buying frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. When selecting your fillets, look for pieces that are similar in thickness so they cook evenly, and don’t worry too much about whether you get skin-on or skinless – the maple glaze will taste amazing either way.

Options for Substitutions

This maple glazed salmon is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Salmon: While salmon works best for this recipe due to its rich flavor that pairs well with maple, you can try other fatty fish like steelhead trout or arctic char. Just keep the same cooking time since they have similar thickness.
• Avocado oil: Olive oil or melted butter work great as substitutes. If using butter, brush it on gently to avoid tearing the fish.
• Pure maple syrup: This is really the star of the dish, so try to stick with real maple syrup if possible. In a pinch, honey works but will give you a different flavor profile – use about 2 tablespoons instead of 3.
• Coconut sugar: Brown sugar or regular white sugar work just fine here. You might even skip the sugar entirely since the maple syrup provides plenty of sweetness.
• Dried oregano: Fresh oregano (use 1 tablespoon), dried thyme, or even dried dill make nice substitutes that complement the fish well.
• Spice blend: Don’t have all the spices? A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder will still give you tasty results.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when baking salmon is overcooking it, which turns this tender fish into a dry, flaky disappointment – salmon is perfectly done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and still looks slightly translucent in the center.

Another common error is not patting the fillets completely dry before seasoning, as any moisture will prevent the spice rub from sticking properly and can make the glaze slide right off during baking.

To avoid burning your maple glaze, wait until the last 5-7 minutes of cooking time before brushing it on, since the natural sugars in maple syrup can char quickly under high heat.

For even cooking, make sure your salmon fillets are similar in thickness, and if you have thinner tail pieces, fold them under or remove them from the oven a few minutes earlier than the thicker portions.

What to Serve With Maple Glazed Salmon?

This sweet and savory salmon pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or sweet potatoes that can caramelize alongside the fish in the oven. I love serving it over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up that delicious maple glaze, and a simple side salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette helps balance out the richness. For something a bit more filling, try pairing it with garlic mashed potatoes or wild rice pilaf. The maple flavors also work really well with roasted carrots or butternut squash if you want to keep the autumn vibes going strong.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Leftover maple glazed salmon keeps really well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I like to flake it over salads or mix it into pasta the next day. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing so it doesn’t get soggy.

Freeze: You can freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months, though the texture will be a bit different when thawed. Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It’s great for meal prep when you want to have protein ready to go.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover salmon, gently warm it in the oven at 275°F for about 10 minutes, or use the microwave on low power for 30-60 seconds. Don’t overcook it or it’ll get dry – you just want to take the chill off since it’s already perfectly cooked.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1700-1900
• Protein: 130-145 g
• Fat: 90-105 g
• Carbohydrates: 55-65 g

Ingredients

For the salmon fillets:

• 1 1/2 lb salmon, sliced into 4 to 6 pieces
• 2 tbsp avocado oil

For the spice mixture:

• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar

For the glaze:

• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

• 2 tbsp avocado oil

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Pour a small amount of avocado oil into the bottom of a casserole dish, or spray it with cooking oil if you prefer.

Use your fingers to spread the oil evenly so the salmon doesn’t stick while baking.

Step 2: Season the Salmon

• 1 1/2 lb salmon, sliced into 4 to 6 pieces
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar

Place the sliced salmon fillets into the prepared casserole dish.

Brush the tops of the salmon with a little more avocado oil.

Then, sprinkle them evenly with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and coconut sugar.

I like to massage the seasonings gently onto the salmon for even coverage and maximum flavor.

Step 3: Bake the Salmon

• seasoned salmon from Step 2

Transfer the seasoned salmon to the center rack of your preheated oven.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, adjusting the time based on the thickness of the fish.

The salmon should look nearly cooked through before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Broil with Maple Glaze

• baked salmon from Step 3
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup

Remove the baked salmon from the oven and change the oven setting to high broil.

Brush the fish generously with pure maple syrup (or pour it over the fillets).

Place the dish back in the oven, positioning it on the second to the top rack.

Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the salmon is crispy and beautifully glazed.

Watch closely to avoid burning.

For extra depth of flavor, I sometimes add a pinch more dried oregano right before broiling.

Step 5: Serve the Salmon

Remove the glazed salmon from the oven.

Spoon any remaining pure maple syrup from the bottom of the casserole dish over the fillets before serving.

Serve the salmon hot, ideally with your favorite side dishes.

Irresistible Maple Glazed Baked Salmon

Delicious Irresistible Maple Glazed Baked Salmon recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 11 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Total Time 34 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 1800 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the salmon fillets:

• 1 1/2 lb salmon, sliced into 4 to 6 pieces
• 2 tbsp avocado oil

For the spice mixture:

• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar

For the glaze:

• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour a small amount of avocado oil into the bottom of a casserole dish, or spray it with cooking oil if you prefer. Use your fingers to spread the oil evenly so the salmon doesn't stick while baking.
• Place the sliced salmon fillets into the prepared casserole dish. Brush the tops of the salmon with a little more avocado oil. Then, sprinkle them evenly with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and coconut sugar. I like to massage the seasonings gently onto the salmon for even coverage and maximum flavor.
• Transfer the seasoned salmon to the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, adjusting the time based on the thickness of the fish. The salmon should look nearly cooked through before moving to the next step.
• Remove the baked salmon from the oven and change the oven setting to high broil. Brush the fish generously with pure maple syrup (or pour it over the fillets). Place the dish back in the oven, positioning it on the second to the top rack. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until the salmon is crispy and beautifully glazed. Watch closely to avoid burning. For extra depth of flavor, I sometimes add a pinch more dried oregano right before broiling.
• Remove the glazed salmon from the oven. Spoon any remaining pure maple syrup from the bottom of the casserole dish over the fillets before serving. Serve the salmon hot, ideally with your favorite side dishes.