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.
Whether it is 'fried' fish with no oil used like these Bengali fish curry, breaded tilapia, air fryer salmon or air fryer tilapia, they turn out fantastic and perfectly cooked.
You can cook fresh fillets or frozen ones in the air fryer. Both turn out equally good.
Shrimp also turns out so good, like these 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 spice blend used for change in flavour.
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. Please check the salt in your Cajun seasoning before adding more.
Variations and Substitutions
1. Fish: 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.
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.
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 place fillets in a single layer.
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.
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 coleslaw, sautéed veggies, fresh salad and/or some rice.
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.
7. Leftover mahi mahi can be stored in airtight container in the fridge for upto 3 days. Reheat completely before consuming.
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.
FAQs
You can use frozen mahi mahi here. It will increase the air frying time by 3-4 minutes.
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.
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.
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:
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
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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. The Cajun seasoning I used has no added salt. Please check the one your are using before adding salt. 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
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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