Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil (spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking). If baking in air fryer, spray the basket with cooking spray.

Place salmon on a prepared baking sheet, skin side down. Pat dry with paper towel.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs (or Panko), Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. In another bowl, melt butter. Add garlic and stir. Add to breadcrumb mixture. Stir well.

Season salmon with black pepper (no need for salt since Parmesan is pretty salty already). Divide the crust mixture evenly on top of each salmon piece, gently pressing onto the fish.

Baking in the oven: bake salmon for 12 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees F.

Baking in the air fryer: Set temperature to 400 degrees F, let it preheat for 4 minutes. Place salmon with crust, skin side down, in the basket and bake. Check the internal temperature to make sure the fish is done. If you are also roasting a vegetable side dish in the air fryer, you can add the salmon to cook in the same basket, in the last 10 minutes. That way everything will be done at the same time!

Serve immediately with vegetable side dishes.