Almond Trout
Almond crusted trout is a simple but flavorful weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Baked in the oven with almonds, thyme, and a dijon mustard sauce. This flaky and flavorful trout recipe is ready in 30 minutes!
Trout is a great choice of seafood to serve to kids! It has a mild and pleasant taste that isn’t too fishy, the skin crisps up nicely, and the flesh gets nice and flakey.
This recipe is not a trout almondine, which is a traditional French recipe where trout is pan fried and topped with a buttery almond sauce. Instead this trout is oven baked and topped with an almond crust. Similar flavors, but different preparation methods.
Love a good seafood recipe! Try these simple Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp for a quick and simple meal that is so flavorful! Sheet Pan Salmon with Roasted Broccoli is another great choice if you want a simple but flavorful meal without a lot of work.
Rainbow trout is a lovely mild flavored fish that doesn’t need much enhancing. It is easy to cook and always bakes up nice and flaky.
It can have a white flesh or have flesh that is more pink or orange. The color depends on the trout’s diet and if the fish is wild or farm raised.
Trout is part of the salmon family but it tends to be milder, less “fishy” and less fatty than salmon. It also has a more delicate and softer meat than salmon.
How to make rainbow trout with almonds
This recipe is a simple one to make! For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Lightly oil a baking sheet or casserole baking dish (you can line with parchment paper
as an alternative). - Place the trout fillets in the prepared baking dish with the skin side down.
- In a small bowl, mix together the dijon mustard and 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice.
- Spoon the mixture over the top of the trout fillets. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the chopped almonds and dried thyme.
- Generously cover the trout fillets with the seasoned crushed almonds.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the trout fillets are cooked through and flake easily with a fork.
- Serve with a garnish of fresh lemon slices. Enjoy!
How to know when trout is fully cooked?
Similar to salmon, trout is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F at its thickest part. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can check by using a fork to flake the fillet. If it flakes easily, its done!
Tips for Cooking Trout
- The best tip is to use a meat thermometer! Overcooking trout makes it really dry and just not good. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer – you want it at 145 F.
- Fresh trout makes a lot of difference over frozen! Frozen tends to hold a lot of extra water and doesn’t crisp up as nicely.
- Use fresh lemon juice from an actual lemon, not the bottled stuff! It really does make a difference!
How to serve this to your family
Serve this with some green beans almondine, a simple salad, and a side of rice.
Can you eat trout skin?
Yes! There is no need to remove the skin before cooking this trout. The skin gets nice and crispy and is delicious! Just make sure that you remove all the fish scales if you are cooking with fresh trout.
How to store leftovers
Store any leftover trout in an airtight glass container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat it in a pan on the stove or in the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to help the skin re-crisp up.
How to make this kid friendly
How we approach food makes all the difference to kids! Inviting kids to be involved and curious about food helps them be more open to exploring it. Having your kids help you prepare a meal and having an open discussion about the food are amazing ways to help them be more willing to try it!
Dinner conversations with kids
How we talk to our kids about their food is so important! Ask kids to think more like a culinary scientist instead of jumping to conclusions about their food. Try these dinner conversation starters:
- How did the color of the fish change when we cooked it? Why do you think that happened?
- What does this smell like? Does it remind you of anything else you have had before?
- What is the texture of the fish? How are the textures of the skin and the meat different?
- What other toppings could we use on top of the fish that you think would be good?
- What other side dishes do you think would go well with this?
Read more about how to explore the sense of taste with your kids.
Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook
Inviting your kids into the kitchen with you is an excellent way of helping them be more confident and curious about the foods that they eat.
This recipe is great to have kids help you with because it is so simple! Its great practice for mixing and spreading, and garnishing.
- Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure ingredients and sprinkle on the almond mixture.
- Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus help you mix the mustard mixture and spread it on.
- Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above.
*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.
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Almond Trout Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Fresh Rainbow Trout fillets roughly 2 large fillets
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup coarsely chopped almonds
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 ½ Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Lightly oil a baking sheet or casserole baking dish (you can line with parchment paper
as an alternative). - Place the trout fillets in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix together the dijon mustard and 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice.
- Spoon the mustard mixture over the top of the trout fillets.
- Sprinkle the trout with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the chopped almonds and dried thyme.
- Generously cover the trout fillets with the seasoned crushed almonds.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the trout fillets reach an internal temperature of 145 F or flake easily with a fork.
- Serve with a garnish of fresh lemon slices. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for a more visual approach? Check out the how to make almond trout story.
Such a delicious and simple way to enjoy a fish dinner. I often do this with cod or halibut but trout is a nice change of pace!
Wow, what a delicious fish dinner idea. I love the crust. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I just added it to my menu.