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    Home » Air fryer Recipes » Air fryer Seafood

    Air fryer Mahi Mahi

    By Rachna Published: Nov 23, 2021 · Modified: Jan 19, 2025 10 Comments

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    This is a keto-friendly low carb air fryer mahi mahi recipe that uses no breading or flour. Easy and so tasty.

    Delicious fish fillets done to perfection in air fryer are perfect as a main.

    I cook fish regularly in my air fryer, and it is a game changer.

    Whether it is ‘fried’ fish with no oil used like these Bengali fish curry, breaded tilapia or keto friendly lemon pepper tilapia, they turn out fantastic and perfectly cooked.

    You will also enjoy cooking shrimp/prawns in air fryer.

    Like this  lemon pepper garlic shrimp, air fryer Cajun shrimp. or Air fryer coconut shrimp .

    I love that this recipe uses hardly any oil and yet turns out so flaky inside with a light crust outside.

    Mahi mahi done in air fryer

    You can vary the rub used for change in flavour.

    Air fried mahi mahi fillet that looks golden brown on a white plate with sliced onion and lemon cut into pieces.

    Ingredients

    1. Mahi Mahi Fillets : Mahi mahi is a firm-textured fish that holds up well to air frying.

    I used 500 gm. or 1.1 lb. fish fillets.

    2. Olive Oil : Only 2 tsp. oil is used brush on the fillets to ensure they crisp up nicely.

    3. Lemon juice: 1 tsp. lemon juice is used.

    4. Seasoning: I have used Cajun seasoning for a lovely taste. Some pepper is also used along with salt.

    A flaky piece of air fried mahi mahi in focus.

    Variations and Substitutions

    1. Fish Type: You can substitute mahi mahi with other firm white fish like cod, halibut, haddock, or even salmon.

    2. Change Seasoning: Any spice mixes of choice can be used.

    You can try Asian inspired sauce by using soy sauce, ginger, pepper, salt and lemon juice.

    Peri peri seasoning works well too.

    Air fried mahi mahi fillet that looks golden brown on a white plate with sliced onion and lemon cut into pieces.

    How to Cook Mahi Mahi in Air fryer

    I used a large filleted fish of about 1.1 lb and cut it into smaller fillets.

    Hence my fillets are slightly unevenly sized.

    Pat the fillets dry and keep aside.

    4 mahi mahi fillets in a plate

    Assemble 2 tsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. Cajun spice or fajita seasoning, ½ tsp. pepper (optional if you like more heat) and salt to taste.

    Mix well.

    Brush the fillets with 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil and apply the spice rub all over the fish.

    You may keep aside for 15 minutes or cook right away.

    I cooked a few right away and a few a bit later.

    4 mahi mahi fillets after applying oil and spice mix on a plate.

    Preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 4 minutes.

    Brush air fryer basket with oil and lay the prepared fillets so that they have ample space between them.

    3 mahi mahi fish fillets after applying rub kept in air fryer basket for air frying.

    Air fry for 10-14 minutes at 360F or 180C till the fillets are flaky and well cooked inside.

    You can check with a fork to be sure.

    You can also use meat thermometer in the thickest part of the fillet. Internal temperature should be 145F or 63C.

    A trick I use is to remove the thinner or smaller fillets first as they cook faster and cook some more for thicker or larger fillets.

    3 mahi mahi fish fillets in air fryer basket after air frying.

    This is in case you cook fillets of different sizes together.

    Take care not to overcook the fish or it will get rubbery.

    Sprinkle lemon juice on top and serve hot. It is delicious. You can serve with sautéed veggies, salad and/or some rice.

    Air fried mahi mahi fillet that looks golden brown on a white plate with sliced onion and lemon cut into pieces.

    Expert Tips to Cook the Perfect Air fried Mahi Mahi

    1. Do not overcook. Always check with a fork. If the fish flakes easily, it is done.

    If not, cook for 1-2 minutes more and check again.

    2. You can make the same recipe with frozen mahi mahi fillets too.

    Just make sure you cook it in the air fryer till the fish is thawed which takes about 3-4 minutes.

    Then apply the oil and spice rub and cook as normal.

    3. You can vary the seasonings as per choice.

    You can also just use salt, pepper and some smoked paprika or cayenne as a rub if you want something simpler.

    4. There is no need to flip the fillets during cooking.

    5. Do not crowd the air fryer while cooking so that the fillets cook evenly.

    6. If your fillets are unevenly sized then pay attention that the smaller, thinner fillets will get cooked quickly while the thicker, bigger ones will take longer.

    Serving Suggestions

    Salad: You can pair this protein main with delicious salads for a wholesome meal.

    Roasted Vegetables: This air fried fish goes very well with any kind of roasted vegetables.

    Tropical Salsa: Mango salsa pairs very well with this tasty savory main.

    Corn on the Cob: This goes so well with grilled or air fried corn on the cob.

    Sweet Potato Fries: These go so well with air fryer sweet potato fries as a nicer version of fish and chips.

    Cooked mahi mahi fillet with a piece broken off showing its flaky flesh done to perfection

    FAQs

    1. Can I use frozen mahi mahi for this recipe?

    You can use frozen mahi mahi here. It will increase the air frying time by 3-4 minutes.

    2. Why is my air fried mahi mahi not crispy?

    It could be due to overcrowding in the air fryer basket. Your fish may not be dry enough before cooking.

    Make sure to pat the fish dry thoroughly and don't overlap the fillets in the air fryer.

    3. How to check if my fish is well cooked.

    Your fish should easily flake when you insert a fork. The insides should appear opaque too.
    You can also use a meat thermometer. It should read a temperature of 145F or 63C in the thickest part of fillet.

    4. How do I store leftovers?

    You can store leftover air fried mahi mahi for up to 3 days in an air tight container in the fridge.
    Reheat in air fryer to heat through and then consume.

    Here's the recipe card:

    📖 Recipe Card

    Air fryer Mahi Mahi

    Rachna Parmar
    This mahi mahi in air fryer is a flaky and delicious fish cooked to perfection. No breading or flour needed, this is low carb and keto friendly. Easy and tasty too.
    5 from 56 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 16 minutes mins
    Total Time 18 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3
    Calories 201 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    Ingredients
     

    • 1.1 lb mahi mahi fish fillets or 500 gm.
    • 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tbsp. Cajun spice or fajita seasoning or see Notes for other spice rub suggestions
    • ½ tsp. pepper optional
    • ¼ tsp. salt
    • 1 tbsp. lemon juice for garnish optional

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    Instructions
     

    • I used a large filleted fish of about 1.1 lb and cut it into smaller fillets. Pat them dry and keep aside.
    • Assemble 2 tsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. Cajun spice or fajita seasoning, ½ tsp. pepper (optional if you like more heat) and salt to taste. Mix well.
    • Brush the fillets with oil and apply the spice rub all over the fish. You may keep aside for 15 minutes or cook right away.
    • Preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 4 minutes.
    • Brush air fryer basket with oil and lay the prepared fillets so that they have ample space between them.
    • Air fry for 10-14 minutes at 360F or 180C till they are flaky and well cooked inside. You can check with a fork to be sure.
    • A trick I use is to remove the thinner or smaller fillets first as they cook faster and cook some more for thicker or larger fillets.
    • Take care not to overcook the fish or it will get rubbery.
    • Sprinkle lemon juice on top and serve hot. It is delicious. You can serve with sautéed veggies, salad and/or some rice.

    Notes

    1. Do not overcook. Always check with a fork. If the fish flakes easily, it is done. If not, cook for 1-2 minutes more and check again.
    2. You can make the same recipe with frozen fillets too. Just make sure you cook it in the air fryer till the fish is thawed which takes about 3-4 minutes. Then apply the oil and spice rub and cook as normal.
    3. You can vary the seasonings as per choice. You can also just use salt, pepper and some smoked paprika or cayenne as a rub if you want something simpler.
    4. There is no need to flip the fillets during cooking.
    5. Do not crowd the air fryer while cooking so that the fillets cook evenly.
    6. If your fillets are unevenly sized then pay attention that the smaller, thinner fillets will get cooked quickly while the thicker, bigger ones will take longer.
    7. You can use ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. pepper, ½ tsp. cayenne or paprika, ½ tsp. Italian seasoning and salt to taste in place of Cajun spice or fajita seasoning and use.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 32gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 933mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 5157IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
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    If you liked the recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Helen says

      November 23, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      These look so tasty and perfectly cooked! Yum!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Thanks Helen

        Reply
    2. Katherine says

      November 23, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great idea to cook the mahi mahi in the air fryer to make it so juicy inside and crispy outside!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Thanks Katherine.

        Reply
    3. Danielle Wolter says

      November 23, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing! I haven't cooked fish in my air fryer yet, so I'm totally going to try this with my homemade cajun spice.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:59 am

        You will love it. Thanks Danielle.

        Reply
    4. Gina says

      November 23, 2021 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      Love making white fish like mahi mahi in the AF. It comes out perfectly cooked and tender!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:59 am

        So true

        Reply
    5. Tavo says

      November 23, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      How easy! Mahi mahi is my go-to fish, I didn't know that it could be made on an air-fryer! I'll definitely try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:58 am

        You're very welcome, Tavo

        Reply
    5 from 56 votes (51 ratings without comment)

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    Hi and welcome!

    I am Rachna, a Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach. I help you eat healthy. I specialize in healthy recipes especially Air fryer recipes.

    I offer Health and Nutrition Coaching aimed at helping you achieve fat loss, healthy eating habits and more stamina and flexibility.

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