Sweet Sumac Salmon (Oven or Air Fryer)

This Sweet Sumac Salmon is bursting with citrusy, sweet, and smoky flavors! Salmon filets are dusted with a sumac and paprika seasoning blend, then baked or air-fried to flaky perfection. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect protein for weeknight dinners!

If you’re a fan of baked salmon but need a change from your usual, allow me to introduce you to this easy Sumac Salmon recipe. I love making salmon for dinner and I’m always looking for new ways to help its already amazing flavors stand out even more. Who knew all it would take was a simple Middle Eastern-inspired seasoning blend?

To make this sweet sumac salmon, I coated heart-healthy, omega 3-packed salmon filets with a spice rub made from sumac, smoked paprika, sugar, and olive oil before letting them do their thing in the oven. The salmon turned out flaky and juicy with exciting layers of citrus and smoke from the seasonings!

Just like my Easy Furikake Salmon, this recipe is proof that you don’t need a bunch of fancy ingredients or more than 30 minutes to take this simple fish over the top. 

Baked Sumac Salmon Ingredients

This easy baked salmon recipe only calls for 5 simple ingredients. Some might be in your pantry already, while others might require a quick trip to the grocery store or Middle Eastern market:

• Salmon. I prefer to buy four 6-ounce salmon filets with the skin removed. If you like the taste and texture of the skin, go ahead and buy skin-on filets instead! Wild-caught Alaskan salmon tends to be a popular choice because of its rich and complex flavor, but as I’ve mentioned in my buying guide on Alaskan Salmon vs. Atlantic Salmon, there are benefits and downfalls to both. Use what you like or what’s available to you!
• Sumac. This crimson-red spice is most commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. This is a great recipe is it’s your first time cooking with this spice, but I think you’ll love the tangy, earthy, and citrusy flavor!
• Sugar. It puts the ‘sweet’ in this sweet sumac salmon recipe! You can use white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or your preferred low-calorie sweetener.
• Smoked paprika. This is the key ingredient for adding a smoky (but not spicy) flavor. If you do like spice, swap it with cayenne pepper instead.
• Olive oil

(full ingredient list and quantities can be found in the recipe card below)

I used the cured sumac from Burlap & Barrel for this recipe. I absolutely adore the intense flavor and aroma. The texture differs slightly from ground sumac in that it’s coarser with more moisture. If using ground sumac, you may need to add more or less to suit your taste preferences.

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: You can make this recipe with either fresh and frozen salmon filets. Remember to thaw the frozen filets in the fridge overnight, then dry them well before adding the sumac seasoning blend.

How to Bake Sweet Sumac Salmon

Baking sumac-coated salmon is incredibly quick and easy. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and follow these steps:

1. Whisk the sumac, paprika, sugar, and olive oil together in a small bowl until you’re left with a paste.
2. Pat the salmon filets dry with paper towels, then brush the spice mixture evenly over the top of each one.
3. Place the sumac-seasoned salmon filets seasoned side down on a lined baking sheet. Bake until the filets are opaque and flake easily when scraped with a fork (about 13-15 minutes).
4. Let the baked salmon rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: To turn this into a sheet pan salmon dinner, surround the salmon filets with bite-sized vegetables, like broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, and/or beets, tossed in olive oil, paprika, and sumac. They’ll all roast at the same time to help you make an easy and satisfying dinner with minimal clean-up.

​Air Fryer Instructions

If you’re looking for a quicker cooking method, turn to the air fryer! It’ll shave a few minutes off the cooking time while still giving you perfectly flaky and well-seasoned salmon:

1. Preheat the air fryer while you prepare and season the salmon.
2. Once seasoned, place the salmon skin side down in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. If the filets are touching or look overcrowded, air fry the salmon in two batches instead.
3. Air fry the salmon until the filets are cooked through (about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F).
4. Allow the filets to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Sumac Salmon

The sumac-seasoned salmon is perfect for both weeknight dinners and lunches. I recommend pairing it with cooked grains and vegetables for a satisfying meal that will make you feel great. Here, I paired mine with couscous and a light cucumber salad with tomato, red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, and za’atar. 

To take every bite over the top, garnish each filet with a pinch of salt and pepper, fresh lemon or orange zest, and/or a lemon wedge.

Here are a few pairing suggestions:

• Serve the salmon over top or next to a scoop of cooked white or brown rice, quinoa, farro, freekeh, couscous, or orzo.
• You can easily turn this into a salmon bowl by pairing the salmon and grains with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of nutty tahini or lemon chimichurri on top.
• Or, if you’d rather combine the salad and grains, serve the salmon with this Freekeh Salad with Tomatoes, Corn, Zucchini, and Basil or this Pearled Couscous Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing.
• Serve it with this Raw Carrot Salad and mashed cauliflower for dinner.

Storing Leftover Baked Salmon

The leftover cooked salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. 

To reheat, zap it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it’s warmed through. You can also reheat it in the air fryer or on the stovetop using medium heat.

Sumac Salmon FAQs

Where can I buy sumac?

You can sometimes find sumac in the international aisle of well-stocked grocery stores. If not, look for it at your local Middle Eastern market or buy it online.

Is salmon healthy?

Salmon can be part of a healthy diet since it’s a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Together, salmon’s health benefits can help with the health of our heart, brain, bones, eyes, and immune system.

Remember, everyone has different nutrition needs, budgets, and taste preferences. Take that into account when planning a nourishing diet. 

How can you tell when salmon is done cooking?

You’ll know the salmon is done baking or air frying when the meat looks opaque and easily flakes when scraped with a fork. If you’re still unsure, you can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the salmon has reached a safe 145ºF.

I hope you get a kick out of the complex yet mouthwatering flavors of this sumac salmon recipe! If you’re looking for more ways to make your salmon dinners exciting, you should also try my Walnut Crusted Salmon and Salmon Salad recipes.

As always, thanks for stopping by the Street Smart Nutrition blog. Cheers to more fearlessly nourishing meals!