Baked Pineapple Honey Salmon is one of those easy dinners that looks fancy but couldn't be simpler. Take salmon fillets, brush with a honey-olive oil glaze, sprinkle with my special seasoning blend, and top it all off with canned pineapple rings.
We love salmon around here-baked, grilled, skillet-seared, you name it. I try to make it at least once a week, so I'm always coming up with easy new ways to keep it interesting, like this Baked Cajun Salmon (spicy with fresh lemon).
Jump to:
- Cooking Timeline
- Why Use a Honey-Olive Oil Glaze
- Here's Why You'll Love It
- Ingredient Photo with Notes
- Flavor Variations
- How to Make Baked Pineapple Salmon
- Tips You Should Know
- Perfect Side Dishes for Salmon
- Cooking Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Repurpose Leftovers
- How to Keep it Fresh
- Common Questions About This Recipe
- More Fish and Seafood Recipes
- Get a Free Meal Plan
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- Recipe
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Cooking Timeline
- 5 minutes: Stir together honey and olive oil, prep seasoning blend
- 5 minutes: Spread honey-oil mix on salmon, season fish and pineapple
- 10-15 minutes: Bake until the salmon flakes easily
Why Use a Honey-Olive Oil Glaze
The honey and olive oil glaze does more than just taste good-it helps the seasoning stick to the salmon, adds a touch of natural sweetness, and keeps everything moist while it bakes. It also gives the top a light caramelized finish without needing a heavy sauce or marinade.
Here's Why You'll Love It
This Baked Pineapple Salmon is sweet, savory, and a little sassy! Big on flavor and low on fuss, this is what a great Southern supper should be!
- The honey-olive oil mixture keeps the salmon moist and helps the top caramelize beautifully.
- Canned pineapple rings add sweetness and juiciness that pairs perfectly with the savory seasoning.
- The simple seasoning blend (smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper) brings warmth and flavor without overpowering the fish.
- No marinade, no fuss-just brush, season, and bake!
Ingredient Photo with Notes
- Salmon fillets: Fresh or thawed frozen work great. Full of protein and rich in flavor. You can use one whole (1 lb) salmon fillet or 4 smaller ones totaling 1 pound.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and helps the top brown in the oven.
- Olive oil: Helps thin the honey and keeps the salmon from drying out.
- Canned pineapple rings (in juice): Sweet, juicy, and always in season. Be sure to drain them first. Pineapple tidbits will work in a pinch but the rings stay in place better.
- Smoked paprika: Brings a subtle smoky depth that complements the sweetness.
- Garlic powder + Onion powder: For savory flavor that pairs perfectly with salmon.
- Dried thyme: A gentle, herby touch that gives the dish balance.
- Salt + black pepper: Essential for rounding out all the other flavors.
Flavor Variations
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the seasoning mix for a little heat
- Swap pineapple for mango or peach slices if you've got fresh fruit
- Stir Dijon mustard into the honey-oil mix for a tangy glaze
If you prefer your salmon a little more herby and citrusy, my Baked Lemon Dill Salmon is a light and zesty option that's perfect for spring or summer nights.
How to Make Baked Pineapple Salmon
Here's a quick summary of the recipe steps with photos.
Step 1. Spread honey-olive oil blend on salmon then sprinkle with seasoning mix.
Step 2. Arrange pineapple slices on top of the salmon; sprinkle with more seasoning.
Step 3. Bake for about 15 minutes.
Step 4. Top with fresh parsley.
Tips You Should Know
For the best results for your baked pineapple salmon, here are a few helpful tips.
- Mix that honey and olive oil well. It should be smooth and easy to spread.
- Drain the pineapple rings well. A little juice is fine, but too much can make the salmon soggy.
- Line your baking sheet. Honey can get sticky, so parchment or foil makes cleanup easy.
Perfect Side Dishes for Salmon
The perfect side dishes for baked pineapple salmon are those that compliment the flavors and textures of the salmon. Here are a few of our favs:
- Serve with crispy Oven Roasted Okra
- Creamy, buttery Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet, savory Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
And if you want more pineapple in your life, you have to try my Pineapple Pound Cake for dessert. It's buttery, tender, and just the right kind of old-fashioned good.
Cooking Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking the salmon: Start checking at 15 minutes-it should flake with a fork but still be juicy.
- Forgetting to divide the seasoning: Most goes on the salmon, but that little sprinkle on the pineapple makes a big difference.
- Not spreading the glaze evenly: Use the back of a spoon or a brush to coat the top of the salmon completely.
How to Repurpose Leftovers
- Flake it into a rice or grain bowl with veggies and a drizzle of dressing
- Make a light salmon salad with mayo, lemon juice, and celery
- Tuck it into wraps or tacos with cabbage slaw and a squeeze of lime
- Turn it into quick salmon cakes with breadcrumbs and a beaten egg
How to Keep it Fresh
How long does cooked salmon stay fresh in the fridge?
Cooked salmon will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge if stored properly. Let it cool completely, then place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
What's the best way to store it?
Store it in the coldest part of your fridge (usually toward the back). If it's glazed or has pineapple juice on it, line the bottom of the container with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture and keep it from getting soggy.
Common Questions About This Recipe
Fresh pineapple isn't the best choice for this recipe-it's juicier and less sweet than canned, which can make the salmon soggy. Plus, fresh pineapple contains enzymes that can start to "cook" the fish and change its texture. Canned pineapple rings in juice work best for that perfect balance of sweetness and moisture.
Just about ½ teaspoon of the seasoning blend gets sprinkled over the pineapple rings. The rest goes on the salmon.
Nope! The honey-oil glaze and the seasoning blend give it plenty of flavor as it bakes.
Any kind! Atlantic is mild and buttery, while sockeye is richer and more intense. Just be sure to thaw frozen fillets completely and pat them dry. Tip: wild caught seems to taste better than farm raised.
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Recipe
Baked Pineapple Salmon with Honey Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13-inch rimmed sheet pan
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet (with skin preferred, to prevent burning) one whole salmon fillet or four 4-oz fillets
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- SEASONING BLEND: ½ teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt), ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 20 oz pineapple slices in juice, drained aka pineapple rings
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish, if desired or dried parsley if that's all you have
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper (this helps to keep the skin from sticking to the pan and for easy cleanup).
- Pat the salmon dry on both sides and place skin side down on the pan.
- In a small bowl, blend the honey and olive oil.
- Spread the honey-olive oil mixture all over the top of the salmon.
- Combine the seasoning blend in a small bowl and reserve ½ teaspoon. Sprinkle the remaining seasoning blend all over the salmon.
- Place the pineapple slices in a single row on top of the salmon then arrange the remaining slices in the pan around the salmon. Sprinkle all pineapple slices with the reserved seasoning blend.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or to your desired level of doneness. I aim for 130F but the USDA recommends 145F. The thickness of the salmon will determine how long it takes to bake so use your best judgement, and be careful not to overcook the salmon or it'll get dry.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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