Looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal? This air fryer mahi mahi recipe delivers perfectly cooked fish with minimal effort. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen fillets, the air fryer makes it easy to achieve tender, flaky mahi mahi in under 15 minutes. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover why it’s perfect for any night of the week.
Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein and low in fat.
- Versatile: Works with both fresh and frozen fillets and pairs with various sides.
- Minimal Ingredients: Simple seasoning brings out the best in the fish’s natural flavor.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Ingredients
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Cook Mahi-Mahi in the Air Fryer
- How to Cook Frozen Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
- Expert Tips for Perfect Mahi Mahi
- Serving Suggestions
- Dipping Sauce Pairing
- Pairings and Related Recipes
- FAQ
- More Common Questions
- Storage Tips:
- Nutritional Information
- Equipment
- Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
- • 1 to 1 ½ lbs mahi mahi filets
- • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- • 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- • 1 tsp sea salt
- • ½ tsp ground black pepper
- • ½ tsp garlic powder
- • 1 tsp smoked paprika
- • ½ tsp dried thyme
- • Lemon juice for serving
How to Cook Mahi-Mahi in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Pat fresh mahi mahi filets dry. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each side of the filets.
Step 3: In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Press the mayo-coated filets into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring even coating on both sides.
Step 4: Place the filets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
How to Cook Frozen Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place frozen mahi mahi filets in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Cook for 5 minutes to thaw slightly. Remove and pat dry, then spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each side and coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 137°F (58°C). Serve with lemon juice.
Expert Tips for Perfect Mahi Mahi
- Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to reach 137°F (58°C) for optimal doneness.
- Coating Tips: Ensure the mayonnaise layer is thin to help the breadcrumbs adhere without being overly heavy.
- Spacing: Leave space between fillets for even air circulation.
- Flavor Boost: Marinate briefly in lemon juice for extra zing before coating.
Serving Suggestions
- Over a salad: Serve on a bed of mixed greens with a drizzle of vinaigrette.
- With rice: Pair with jasmine or brown rice and a side of sautéed vegetables.
- Taco style: Flake and stuff into tortillas with coleslaw and a squeeze of lime.
Dipping Sauce Pairing
Enhance your air fryer mahi mahi with this simple and tangy dipping sauce:
Ingredients for Dipping Sauce:
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ tsp Frank’s Hot Sauce
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve alongside the cooked mahi mahi for a creamy, savory dipping experience.
Pairings and Related Recipes
FAQ
Typically 8-10 minutes for fresh fillets; 10-12 minutes for frozen.
400°F (200°C) for best results.
No, cooked mahi mahi should be opaque and flake easily.
Check if it flakes with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 137°F (58°C).
More Common Questions
Overcooking is the main culprit. Monitor the time and temperature closely.
While it’s safe to eat medium rare, most prefer it fully cooked for the best texture.
No need to rinse, simply pat dry before seasoning.
It will appear translucent and not flake easily. Cook until opaque.
Both are healthy, but salmon has more omega-3 fatty acids, while mahi-mahi is leaner.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store leftover cooked mahi mahi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, wrap the fillets tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating Instructions:
- In the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Reheat for 3-4 minutes until warmed through.
- In the Oven: Place mahi mahi on a baking sheet and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- In the Microwave: Use for quick reheating, but note that this may dry out the fish. Reheat in short intervals to avoid overcooking.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of air fryer mahi mahi contains:
- • Calories: 150
- • Protein: 30 grams
- • Fat: 2 grams
- • Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- • Sodium: 120 milligrams
This makes it a lean and nutritious option perfect for a balanced diet.
Air fryer mahi mahi is a simple yet delicious dish that fits perfectly into any meal plan. Whether you’re new to cooking fish or an experienced home chef, this recipe makes it easy to enjoy flavorful, flaky fish with minimal prep and cook time. Try it out and pair it with your favorite sides for a complete meal!
Equipment
I always list the equipment that I use for each recipe and some kitchen essentials that I have grown to love over the years. I do earn a small commission from the sale of these items and absolutely no cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Instant Vortex 6QT XL Air Fryer
365 Panko Bread Crumbs
Misen Chef Knife – 8 Inch Professional Kitchen Knife
Air Fryer Parchment Paper Liners, 200Pcs Square
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
- 1 to 1/2 Lbs Mahi Mahi Filets
- 3 Tablespoons Mayonaise
- 1 Cup Plain Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp. Dried Thyme
Fish Dipping Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. Mayonaise
- 1 Tablespoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1/4 tsp. Franks Hot Sauce 1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Directions for Mahi Mahi
- Preheat air fryer to 400° F for five minutes
- Place Panko breadcrumbs in a dish and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and dried thyme. Stir to combine.
- Make sure that mahi-mahi fillets are very dry. Coat the filets with the mayonasise liberally and then coat with the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs. Push on the filets a bit to get the coating to stick well.
- Place filets in preheated air fryer and air fry about 12-14 minutes. Flip filets hallway through cooking time. If you are using a food thermometer cook to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Directions for Dipping Sauce
- In a bowl mix together mayonaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, dijon mustard and lemon juice. If you want it a bit more spicy add some more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How to Cook Frozen Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
- Step 1: Preheat the Air FryerSet your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 2: Season the Frozen FilletsSeason with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like. Since the fish is frozen, seasoning will stick better once the surface begins to defrost.
- Step 3: Air Fry the Frozen Mahi-MahiCook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
