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Air Fryer Mahi Mahi (In Just 10 Minutes!)

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Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 20 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 3

The air fryer might be your new favorite method for cooking seafood – it’s foolproof! Try mahi mahi in the air fryer with just 3 ingredients for seasoned fish that is cooked to perfection. In under 10 minutes, you’ll have a nutritious entrée ready to go!

What’s To Love About This Recipe

  • It sounds too good to be true, but with only 3 ingredients, you can make the most delicious fish in the air fryer!
  • The air fryer is pretty much my favorite way to cook fish and seafood. It makes it easy to ensure the fish cooks evenly, and you can keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t overcook. 
  • When you grill or fry fish in a skillet, regulating the temperature is typically more challenging. You can easily overcook or burn the edges before the center is cooked. The air fryer keeps the heat circulating evenly, and you get a nice browned edge, too.
  • Mahi mahi fillets are easy to serve with simple veggie sides, rice, or potatoes for a nutritious, fresh meal!
  • Either fresh or frozen fish will work just fine for this recipe. Simply thaw before you’re ready to cook.

Ingredients Needed  

Mahi mahi has a mild flavor but is a delicious, protein-rich fish that doesn’t taste “fishy.” You don’t need much to make a quality meal from this mahi mahi recipe!

  • Mahi mahi fillets – In this recipe, you’ll use 2 standard-sized mahi mahi fillets. You can purchase these at the grocery store in the frozen section, packaged fresh, or order them from the seafood counter at the grocery store. If you’re new to shopping for seafood, here are some tips for buying the best fresh and frozen fish at the store.
  • Melted butter –  Butter is a better choice than oil when you cook fish in the air fryer. It adds a richer flavor! If needed, use a dairy-free butter for similar results. 
  • Cajun or blackening seasoning – Either cajun or blackening seasoning (also called “blackened”) will complement the mahi mahi’s natural flavor. 
2 filets of raw mahi mahi being fried by paper towel next to spice and beaten egg

How To Make Mahi Mahi In The Air Fryer 

  1. Pat each fillet dry with a paper towel. (If the fillets come with skin on, you can leave it on during cooking and peel it away when cooked.)
2 filets of raw mahi mahi being fried by paper towel next to spice and beaten egg
  1. Brush the top of each fillet with melted butter and sprinkle it with seasoning.
  1. Place fillets in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
2 pieces of raw Mahi Mahi seasoned inside of air fryer

Notes

  • Thaw frozen fillets before cooking.
  • Fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145℉. The simplest way to test this is with a digital thermometer. 
  • When the fish is cooked, it should be flaky when pierced in the middle with a fork and no longer be pink.
2 cooked filets of mahi mahi inside of air fryer

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Mahi mahi is a type of fish that can be served with many different flavors. The fish offers a rich, meaty texture that is a good base for serving variations.

  • If you want to spice it up a bit, try different seasoning blends or add a little cayenne pepper to a blackening seasoning mix. Also, you can control the spice level by how much you add – some prefer a pretty generous layer of spice!
  • Other seasonings that will work are an herb and garlic blend or another all-purpose blend like Old Bay’s classic seafood seasoning.
  • Make the recipe dairy-free by using dairy-free butter. (I recommend butter over an oil substitute when you cook fish this way – it makes it taste richer and creamier!)
  • Add a squeeze of lemon over the mahi mahi once cooked and plated.

Oven Directions: If you’d like to try another method, mahi mahi will also cook well in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400℉, prep a baking sheet with parchment paper, and add the fish to the pan. Brush butter over the top of each fillet and add seasonings.

Baking time will vary by the size of the fillets. Cook for up to 20 minutes or until the fillets are flaky in the middle when pierced with a fork.

How To Serve Air Fryer Mahi Mahi 

Mahi mahi is a very versatile protein and is delicious with many different cuisines such as Hawaiian, Mexican, Cajun, etc. 

While the fish is cooking in the air fryer, steam or sauté some veggies, or toss a fresh salad. Add some Jasmine Rice to the Instant Pot, or make Baked Potatoes with extra butter and toppings.

Use leftover mahi mahi in tacos or served over salad greens. Your options are endless!

2 cooked air fryer mahi mahi on plate next to lemon slices

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover fillets in the fridge for up to 3 days or wrap them airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months.

I recommend reheating the fillets in the air fryer for a few minutes, or you can add them to a skillet with some butter or oil. If the leftover fillet is frozen, defrost it before reheating.

Spatula picking up cooked air fryer mahi mahi over plate with green beans and lemon

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

Air fryer mahi mahi served on plate with green beans and slices of lemon
The air fryer might be your new favorite method for cooking seafood – it’s foolproof! Try mahi mahi in the air fryer with just 3 ingredients for seasoned fish that is cooked to perfection. In under 10 minutes, you’ll have a nutritious entrée ready to go!
Jennifer Draper
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Serving Size 2

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 mahi mahi fillets
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter regular or dairy-free
  • 1 teaspoon cajun or blackening seasoning

Instructions

  • Pat each fillet dry with paper towel
  • Brush top of each fillet with melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning
  • Place fillets in air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees for 8-10 minutes

Notes

  • Store leftover fillets in the fridge for up to 3 days or wrap them airtight and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw fillets before cooking.
  • Reheat the fillets in the air fryer for a few minutes, or add to a skillet with some butter or oil. Defrost the fish before reheating.
  • Use high-quality frozen fish if necessary.

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi FAQs 

  • What kind of fish is mahi mahi? Mahi mahi comes from a dolphinfish, which is found in warm, tropical waters. The skin is tough and removed when eaten, and the meat is lean and high in protein.
  • What does mahi mahi taste like? Mahi mahi has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The fillets have a firm texture that works with many different cooking methods.
  • Will both frozen and fresh mahi mahi work for this recipe? Yes, both fresh and frozen fish will work for this air fryer recipe. Look for the best quality fish that you can find – sometimes, that might be in the freezer section! Thaw the fish in a bowl of warm water to defrost quickly before cooking.
  • Should mahi mahi be cooked with the skin left on? Yes, if it comes with the skin, leave it on to cook the fish. Because the skin is pretty thick, it will pull away easily once it is cooked.

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