Baked Sweet & Spicy Rubbed Salmon

Salmon fillets rubbed with a sweet & spicy dry rub then baked to crispy perfection! This is the best baked salmon recipe & takes less than 15 minutes to make!

Salmon is hands down one of my favorite proteins! (As if you couldn’t tell by the amount of salmon recipes I have on my website…😉) But this baked sweet & spicy rubbed salmon is by far my favorite of them all! It’s a little sweet with just the right amount of spice and ridiculously easy to make. I’m talking like make the rub, sprinkle it over your salmon, bake it and you’re done kind of easy! And it’s soo good too! Smokey, sweet, peppery – ohhh I just can’t get enough!

Ingredients For Your Baked Sweet & Spicy Rubbed Salmon

• Salmon fillets: You can skin on or skinless salmon fillets for this recipe. (If using salmon with the skin on, only season one side of your fillet.) Try using fillets that are similiar in size to ensure an even baking time.
• Coconut sugar: Can be replaced with brown sugar. (Coconut sugar and brown sugar are very similiar in taste and texture. I’ve had great results with both!) This is used as the base of your dry rub and adds sweetness without overdoing it.
• Paprika: Adds color and flavor to your salmon dish. (Do not use smoked paprika for this recipe.)
• Salt: Just a touch is all you need to help bring out those flavors!
• Black pepper: The spicy component in your dry rub! It’s subtle and gives your salmon the right amount of heat.

How To Make Spice Rubbed Salmon In The Oven

1. Make your spice rub. Mix the coconut sugar/brown sugar, paprika, salt & pepper together together in a bowl. Then set it aside.
2. Preheat the oven. Turn your oven on to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Prep your salmon. Pat both sides of your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Then season both sides of each fillet with your dry rub and place them in the prepared dish.
4. Bake & serve! Bake your salmon for 10-12 minutes or until flaky then serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Want a crispier salmon? After 10 minutes, turn your oven to broil & broil the salmon for 1-2 minutes or until the sugar begins to caramelize. Sooo good!

FAQ’s

• What internal temperature should salmon be cook to? The center of your salmon should be cooked to 125 – 130 degrees fahrenheit.
• How do you know when salmon is done cooking? Your salmon should turn a pinkish-orange color and flake easily with a fork.
• Do you flip salmon in the oven if it has the skin on? No. If using a salmon fillet with the skin on, place your fillet in the dish skin side down and leave it. You will discard the skin before eating your fillet.
• Can I make my sweet & spicy salmon on the stove? No. Because there’s sugar in the dry rub, your salmon can burn easily if it’s cooked on the stove top.
• How do I store my spice rubbed salmon? Place your salmon fillets in an air tight container and keep them stored in the fridge. They should stay good for 3-4 days if stored properly.
• How do I reheat my leftover salmon in the oven? The best way to reheat salmon is to place your fillet in a baking dish and heat it at 275 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until it reaches your desired “warmness”.

Why you’ll love this roasted salmon recipe

• So easy! Just mix, season & bake! Dinner’s on the table in less than 15 minutes!
• Perfect blend of sweet & spicy! Subtley sweet coconut/brown sugar & freshly ground black pepper help make this dish a sweet & spicy lover’s dream!
• Tender flaky salmon every time! We make this dish almost every other week and it’s always so good! Roasting your salmon in the oven helps to lock in those juices (keeping it moist) while still getting that crispy crust that’s to die for!

More salmon recipes you might like:

• Easy Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Dijon Sauce
• Roasted Chipotle Salmon with Peach Salsa
• Oven Baked Maple BBQ Salmon
• Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa
• Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll Ups with Citrus Soy Sauce

[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments. I love seeing what you create!]

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5 from 2 votes

Baked Sweet & Spicy Rubbed Salmon

The BEST baked salmon recipe! Fresh salmon fillets are seasoned with a sweet and spicy dry rub then baked to crispy perfection! They're a quick & easy meal that's perfect for the weeknights and so tasty too!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Keyword: baked, dry drub, easy, gluten free, roasted salmon, salmon, sweet & spicy salmon

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Caitlin

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (can use fillets with the skin on or off)
• ¼ cup coconut sugar (can be replaced with brown sugar)
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• While the oven is heating, mix your coconut sugar, paprika, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Then place your salmon fillets in the prepared dish and season both sides of each fillet with your sugar mixture. (If using salmon with skin, place your fillets skin side down in the dish and only season the top side.)
• Place your salmon in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, depending on the size. Serve immediately.
• For a "crispier" salmon: After 10 minutes, turn your oven to broil and broil the salmon for 1-2 more minutes.