If you’re craving something that perfectly balances a crispy exterior with a sweet and spicy kick, you have to try this Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe. Each bite delivers tender, flaky salmon enveloped in a crunchy, flavorful coating, all beautifully enhanced by a luscious hot honey glaze that brings warmth and sweetness together in perfect harmony. It’s the kind of dish that feels special yet is surprisingly simple to whip up on a busy weeknight or a casual weekend feast with friends or family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential for creating the perfect texture and flavor in your Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe. Each one plays a crucial role in building the layers of savory, spicy, and sweet that make this dish unforgettable.
- Salmon fillets (skinless, boneless, cut into strips or tenders): Fresh, high-quality salmon ensures tender, juicy pieces every time.
- Panko breadcrumbs: These produce an irresistibly light and crunchy coating on the salmon tenders.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the breading stick perfectly and creates a nice base layer.
- Large eggs, beaten: Act as the glue holding the flour and breadcrumbs on the salmon.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory depth to the breading mixture.
- Onion powder: Enhances the overall aroma and taste without overpowering the salmon.
- Paprika: Provides a mild smoky flavor and gorgeous coloring.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning, bringing out all the natural flavors.
- Black pepper: Offers a hint of heat and complements the paprika beautifully.
- Olive oil (for drizzling): Helps the tenders crisp up nicely while baking.
- Hot honey (or honey mixed with hot sauce): Gives this dish its signature sweet and spicy glaze.
- Apple cider vinegar (optional): Adds a subtle tang that brightens the hot honey glaze.
- Fresh parsley, chopped: A fresh, vibrant garnish that adds color and a light herbal note.
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepping your baking sheet with parchment paper or a light grease. Patting the salmon fillets dry is key to a crispy coating, so use paper towels to get them as dry as possible. Next, slice the salmon into strips or tenders—this makes the pieces perfect for quick baking and dipping in that irresistible hot honey later.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
Lay out three shallow dishes: one with the panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper; the second with all-purpose flour; and the third with beaten eggs. This classic breading approach ensures the salmon gets a perfectly crunchy and flavorful crust that sticks well and turns golden brown when baked.
Step 3: Coat the Salmon
Take each salmon strip and dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any surplus to drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the panko mixture, making sure the coating sticks evenly all over. This three-step coating is the secret to getting that crave-worthy crispy texture without frying.
Step 4: Bake the Salmon
Arrange the breaded salmon tenders on your prepared baking sheet. Drizzle them lightly with olive oil—it helps crispiness develop in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked through and the breading is a beautiful golden brown. To be absolutely sure, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). The smell at this stage will be simply mouthwatering.
Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Glaze
While the salmon bakes, whisk together your hot honey glaze by warming hot honey or a honey-hot sauce mixture with a splash of apple cider vinegar. Heating the glaze just brings out the sweetness and helps the flavors meld. Feel free to adjust the heat by adding more hot sauce as you like—this glaze is your chance to customize the perfect balance of spicy and sweet.
Step 6: Drizzle the Glaze
Once out of the oven, generously drizzle the warm hot honey glaze over the crispy salmon tenders. If you want to really coat each bite, place them in a bowl and toss them gently with the glaze for even coverage. This step transforms the dish, giving it that addictive glossy finish and a complex flavor that brightens every morsel.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Finish your Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the top. This not only adds a pop of vibrant green but also a lovely herbal freshness that balances the sweet heat of the glaze perfectly. Serve these tenders hot and enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.
How to Serve Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling fresh parsley is a classic choice, but you can also try finely sliced green onions or a few thin lemon wedges on the side. A little lemon juice squeezed on top just before eating brightens the flavors and adds a fresh, zesty lift that pairs beautifully with the honey glaze’s heat.
Side Dishes
These salmon tenders are wonderfully versatile. Serve them alongside roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts to add a hearty, colorful component. A crisp green salad or fluffy rice pilaf also complements the tender and crunchy salmon without overpowering its unique flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve these tenders as part of an appetizer platter with different dipping sauces, such as a tangy yogurt dip or a cool avocado crema. You can also turn them into gourmet sliders by placing the tenders inside soft buns with some crunchy slaw—perfect for casual entertaining or a delicious lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover salmon tenders, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’re best eaten within 2 days to maintain maximum freshness and texture.
Freezing
While fresh is best, you can freeze cooked tenders for up to a month. Lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easy to thaw just what you need.
Reheating
To reheat, place the tenders on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I use skin-on salmon for this recipe?
It’s best to use skinless salmon fillets for this Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe. The skin can interfere with the breading sticking properly and prevent even crisping.
How spicy is the hot honey glaze?
The heat level depends on the type and amount of hot sauce you mix with the honey. Feel free to adjust to your taste, starting mild and adding more heat as you go.
Can I pan-fry the salmon tenders instead of baking?
Absolutely! Pan-frying in a little oil will yield an extra crispy texture, but baking is a healthier, hands-off option that still delivers fantastic results.
Is panko necessary for the coating?
Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crunchier crust than regular breadcrumbs or flour alone, which is key to the signature texture of this dish. If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs will work, but expect a slightly different texture.
How do I make the hot honey at home?
Simply combine your favorite honey with a hot sauce of choice, mixing to taste. Heat gently in a saucepan to blend flavors, and add a splash of apple cider vinegar if you like a touch of tanginess.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe is one of those dishes that feels both indulgent and fresh, satisfying your craving for something crispy yet tender, with a delightful honeyed heat that keeps you coming back for more. It’s easy enough for weeknights and impressive enough for company, so don’t hesitate to give it a try—you’ll likely find it becoming a new favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Tenders are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender strips of salmon coated in a seasoned panko breadcrumb crust, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, they offer a delightful combination of crispy texture and bold flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Salmon Tenders
- 4 salmon fillets (skinless, boneless, cut into strips or tenders)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
Hot Honey Glaze
- 1/4 cup hot honey (or regular honey mixed with hot sauce to taste)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and cut them into strips or tenders.
- Set Up the Breading Station: In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the flour in another shallow dish, and beat the eggs in a third dish.
- Coat the Salmon: Dredge each salmon strip first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the beaten eggs. Coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coverage.
- Bake the Salmon: Arrange the breaded salmon tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil to help them crisp up. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and the breading is golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Make the Hot Honey Glaze: While the salmon bakes, combine the hot honey (or honey mixed with hot sauce) and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed and well combined. Adjust spiciness by adding more hot sauce if desired.
- Drizzle the Glaze: Remove the salmon tenders from the oven and generously drizzle the hot honey glaze over them. Alternatively, toss the tenders in the glaze to coat evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the salmon tenders with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. These pair well with roasted vegetables, salad, or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use skinless, boneless salmon fillets for easier cutting and better texture.
- Adjust the heat level of the glaze by varying the amount of hot sauce mixed with the honey.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the salmon for the last 2 minutes of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve immediately to ensure the tenders stay crispy.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days but may lose some crispness.
