Crispy Pesto Potato Chip Salmon - Gluten-Free Dinner Recipe (2024)

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We’ve had a giant open bag of Ruffles (thanks, Costco) sitting in our pantry since Memorial Day, and the contents tempt and taunt me every time I open the door searching for something – anything – other then Ruffles to snack on. Salty, crunchy, and totally addicting, chips are my kryptonite and I can never eat just one. It’s 0 or 500 – eek! Lord knows how I’ve been able to resist them thus far, though I knew my self control would run out eventually.

After Ben rejected the idea of taking the chips to work (an open, slightly old bag of Ruffles? I feel like they’d be a hit at the community food table! Kidding.) I took matters into my own hands and tossed a bunch into the food processor, blitzed them up, then sprinkled the crumbs on top of pesto-slathered, wild-caught salmon and IT. WAS. GOOD.

SO SO GOOD!!!

Crispy Pesto Potato Chip Salmon is buttery salmon filets topped with the simplest homemade pesto (got the perfect-sized recipe for you below,) then topped with potato chip crumbs and baked for 7 minutes. Couldn’t be easier and the fresh/decadent, creamy/crispy combo of pesto and potato chips wasmadeto pair with salmon. I mean, literally I made it to pair with salmon, but they truly do make each fabulous filet that much better.

It’s the start of salmon season which means wild-caught varieties (the kind we save our money for over farmed) arefinally readily available and you know,notlooking and smelling like zombie fish in the case. This is usually the reality of living in Iowa!

The price of wild-caught, in-season salmon can be shocking for sure, but the quality and flavor is worth the price in my opinion – at least as an occasional treat. Plus when you consider the price per person (4oz filet each) it’s not too bad. I love king salmon, and the sockeye salmon filets I used to make this dish were phenoooomenal. Like I said, super buttery, tender, and melt in your mouth. I usually leave the skin on when cooking salmon, since it’s so easy to peel off after cooking, but the person working behind the seafood counter can remove it, plus any pin bones, if you wish.

By the way, please excuse the dull coloring of these photos – I’m not sure what I was thinking photographing light yellow potato chips in the background of this beautiful, crusted salmon. I can promise you the taste and texture are on point though!

Start by pulsing3 cups potato chipsin a food processor until they resemble panko bread crumbs in texture.Again, I used Ruffles, but plain, non-ridged potato chips should work just fine. You’ll need approximately 1/2 cup potato chip crumbs total.

Wipe out the food processor to make the pesto. The recipe makes just 1/3 cup pesto which you’ll use almost all of. I don’t know about you but even with the best intentions, I never use leftover pesto before it goes bad!

Add1 packed cup fresh basil leaves that have been slightly torn to the bowl of the food processor with 1 Tablespoon walnuts or really any kind of nut or seed – I used raw pumpkin seeds for this batch! –1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese,1 clove garlic that’s been roughly chopped, and abig pinch salt. Pulse until the ingredients are finely minced then slowly stream in1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil while processing, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to taste then process to combine. Pesto = done!

Place4, 4oz salmon filets onto a nonstick-sprayed, foil-lined half sheet pan then season each filet generously with salt and pepper before slathering with a heaping Tablespoon pesto.

Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons potato chip crumbs on top then bake on the middle rack of your oven for 6 minutes at 400 degrees. Turn the broiler on then place the salmon underneath for 1-2 minutes, or until the potato chips are light golden brown.

Serve with fresh lemon wedges, and you’re set! I hope you lovethis EASY, totally delicious, Crispy Pesto Potato Chip Salmon recipe – it truly is one of my favorites! Enjoy!

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