Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease
Pat salmon dry with paper towels
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika
Optional: brush with olive oil or melted butter
Place salmon on the baking sheet, skin-side down (if skin-on)
Bake for 10–15 minutes, depending on thickness
For thicker fillets, bake closer to 15 minutes; for thinner, closer to 10 minutes
Check doneness: salmon flakes easily and reaches 125–135°F (52–57°C) in the thickest part
Optional glaze: add during the last 2–5 minutes (honey-soy, maple-dijon, lemon-garlic, or teriyaki)
Remove from oven and let rest 2 minutes before serving
Serve immediately