Delicious fish fillets done to perfection in air fryer, perfect as a main. This is a keto-friendly low carb air fryer mahi mahi recipe that uses no breading or flour.
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 breaded fish fillets or keto friendly air fryer fish fillets, they turn out fantastic and perfectly cooked.
You will also enjoy cooking shrimp/prawns in air fryer. Like this Bengali fish curry, 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.
You can vary the rub used for change in flavour.
Tips to Cook the Perfect Air fryer Fish
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.
Stepwise Pictures
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.
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.
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 the fillets 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.
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.
Here's the recipe card:
Air fryer Mahi Mahi
Equipment
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
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
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
If you liked the recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.
Helen says
These look so tasty and perfectly cooked! Yum!
Rachna says
Thanks Helen
Katherine says
Such a great idea to cook the mahi mahi in the air fryer to make it so juicy inside and crispy outside!
Rachna says
Thanks Katherine.
Danielle Wolter says
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.
Rachna says
You will love it. Thanks Danielle.
Gina says
Love making white fish like mahi mahi in the AF. It comes out perfectly cooked and tender!
Rachna says
So true
Tavo says
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!
Rachna says
You're very welcome, Tavo