Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi is a delicious fish recipe that’s prepped and on the table in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this air fryer mahi mahi offers a firm texture and mild flavor and only requires a handful of ingredients.
What is Mahi Mahi?
Mahi Mahi is a saltwater fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It has an elongated body, broad dorsal fin, and pointed snout.
It’s mild-tasting with a firm texture and large flakes. Mahi mahi is most often served steamed, grilled, smoked, or fried.
Easy Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Are you looking for an easy way to get a delicious seafood meal on the table quickly?
Cooking mahi mahi in the air fryer is a great way to make fish filets with just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort.
It’s quickly becoming one of my go-to ways to prepare tropical white fish. You can use either frozen or fresh mahi mahi filets for this recipe.
The result is perfectly cooked, flaky white fish that’s full of flavor.
Pair the filets with a helping of coconut rice, some roasted potatoes, or add them to corn tortillas with your favorite toppings for mahi mahi tacos!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Mahi Mahi: Either fresh or frozen mahi mahi works for this recipe. Although, my preference is fresh filets or thawed, previously frozen filets.
- Oil: You’ll need a high-heat oil, such as avocado oil to brush over the mahi mahi filets before adding the seasonings.
- Seasonings: We use a combination of seafood seasoning (similar to Old Bay), salt, garlic powder, oregano, and smoked paprika to season the fish. If you’d like to use different seasonings, try taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, blackening seasoning, or even an Italian blend.
How to Make Air Fryer Mahi Mahi:
You’ll find the exact measurements and full instructions in the recipe card near the bottom of the page.
This is an easy air fryer recipe and a great way to prepare mahi mahi filets! All you need is an air fryer, a few simple ingredients, and a few minutes of prep time.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasonings and set aside.
- If you’re using fresh or previously frozen filets, pat them dry with a paper towel. Make sure to feel for any small bones and remove those before adding the oil and seasoning blend. If you’re using frozen filets, skip to the next step.
- Brush all sides of the filets with oil then sprinkle well with the seasoning blend.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. If using, add a parchment paper liner and place the fish filets into the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes or until a timer alerts you that it’s time to flip the filets. Using a spatula, carefully turn the fish to the opposite side and cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes. For frozen filets, you’ll need to add a couple of extra minutes.
- The fish is finished cooking when it flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. The mahi mahi shouldn’t appear dry or tough.
- Serve with lemon wedges or tartar sauce.
Tips for Cooking Mahi Mahi:
- Place the mahi mahi fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a non-stick surface, lightly coat the basket with oil or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as it can affect air circulation and result in uneven cooking.
- Let the cooked mahi mahi rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Adjust the cooking time to compensate for the thickness of the filets.
How to Store Leftover Mahi Mahi:
Refrigerator: Store leftover mahi mahi in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Wrap each piece of fish tightly in plastic wrap or place them in individual freezer bags.
Place the wrapped mahi mahi in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag, and it should stay fresh for about 2 months.
Thawing and Reheating: Remove the frozen mahi mahi from the freezer and leave it wrapped. Place the fish in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw for several hours or overnight.
Reheat the fish on the stovetop, in the oven, in the air fryer, or microwave just until heated through. Avoid overheating the fish to prevent it from drying out.
How do you prevent the mahi mahi from sticking to the air fryer basket?
To prevent the mahi mahi from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly coat it with oil, cooking spray, or use parchment paper before placing the filets in the basket.
If you use a parchment paper liner, make sure to use one approved for air fryers and follow the directions on the package.
Can you use frozen Mahi Mahi filets in the air fryer without thawing them first?
Yes, you can use frozen mahi mahi fillets in the air fryer without thawing them first; however, it is preferable to thaw the fish beforehand.
Frozen filets make it more difficult to apply the oil and seasonings and they’re more likely to dry out due to overcooking.
If you choose to use frozen filets, you’ll want to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure the fish cooks all the way through.
How do you ensure that the Mahi Mahi stays moist and doesn’t dry out in the air fryer?
To ensure that the mahi mahi remains moist and doesn’t dry out in the air fryer, avoid overcooking it and use an instant-read thermometer to check its internal temperature.
The fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F on the thermometer before it is ready to serve.
Also, let the fish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices time to redistribute back into the fish.
What side dishes pair well with air-fried mahi mahi?
Side dishes that pair well with this mild fish include roasted vegetables, couscous, yellow rice, sauteed broccoli, and green beans.
To add more flavor to these sides, try adding herbs or spices like garlic powder, onion powder, garlic butter, lemon juice, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
For a complete meal, you could also serve the fish with a side of fresh fruit such as pineapple salsa or mango salsa for extra sweetness and acidity.
Other Seafood Recipes To Try:
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, We use Old Bay.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 ½ pounds mahi mahi filets
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the seasonings and set aside.1 teaspoon seafood seasoning1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- If you're using fresh or previously frozen filets, pat them dry with a paper towel. Make sure to feel for any small bones and remove those before adding the oil and seasoning blend. If you're using frozen filets, skip to the next step.1 ½ pounds mahi mahi filets
- Brush all sides of the filets with oil then sprinkle well with the seasoning blend.2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. If using, add a parchment paper lining and place the fish filets into the air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Cook for 8 minutes or until a timer alerts you that it’s time to flip the filets. Using a spatula, carefully turn the fish to the opposite side and cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes. For frozen filets, you’ll need to add a couple of extra minutes.
- The fish is finished cooking when it flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. The mahi mahi shouldn't appear dry or tough.
- Serve with lemon wedges or tartar sauce.
- Scroll up and see the post for tips, storage recommendations, and FAQs.
