Tender and flaky Air Fryer Mahi Mahi is a fast and tasty recipe that is ready in only 20 minutes (including prep!). Enjoy this delicious fish with your favorite side dishes for a fast weeknight meal.
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Mahi mahi in the air fryer is one of those dishes you can: 1) prep ahead of time 2) customize to your preference 3) make in under 20 minutes.
Before you even finish making the side dishes, you’ll have tender, flaky, and flavorful fish without ever turning on your oven.
This recipe includes a homemade seafood seasoning/rub, but if you want to use storebought, go right ahead! I recommend Old Bay or Tony Chachere’s Seasoning. You can also keep it super simple with just olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squirt of lemon or lime juice.
Prep once, cook twice tip: triple or quadruple the homemade seasoning mix and store in a small air-tight container. You’ll be able to make future batches of grilled fish in the air fryer even faster!
If you have five extra minutes and want to take this dish to the next level, make a batch of Mango Pico de Gallo, Chipotle Sauce, or Cilantro Chimichurri. You won’t regret it!
What to Serve With Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
I highly recommend making a batch of Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice and Spicy Instant Pot Black Beans. And if you’re making this fish to use on a burrito bowl, try it in a baked tortilla bowl.
For veggies on the side, try Air Fryer Asparagus, Roasted Frozen Broccoli, Kale Chopped Salad, or Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts.
How Do You Know When Mahi Mahi is Cooked
Mahi mahi is fully cooked at 137F. To avoid overcooking the fish, I highly recommend investing in an instant-read thermometer. The fish will be white and “fork tender”.
Helpful Equipment
In addition to an air fryer (this is the one I have), I recommend using air fryer parchment to keep the fish from sticking to the basket. No parchment? Liberally brush the basket with olive oil. A citrus juicer will also help you with the fresh lime juice.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- You can prep the fish with the dry rub and olive oil/lime juice mixture up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the fridge in an air-tight container.
- The fish will cook more evenly if you allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before putting it in the air fryer.
- The cooking time may increase if the filets you use are thicker than 1-inch.
- You can put the filets in while they are still frozen. Cook at 400F for 3-5 minutes and THEN season. Continue cooking until the fish is fully cooked.
- If the fish comes with the skin still on, you can cut it off or cook the filet skin side down.
- Grow your own oregano? Check out my tutorial on Drying Oregano to use your own herbs in this recipe.
More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
- 16 oz mahi mahi {cut into 4, 4 oz filets}
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil {+more for the basket}
- 1 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- Pat dry and allow the fish to sit at room temperature for 10- 20 minutes.16 oz mahi mahi
- Mix together the seasoning and sprinkle evenly on all sides of the fish.1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp oregano
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 3 minutes.
- Mix olive oil and lime juice in a small bowl.1.5 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lime juice
- Brush both sides of the fish with olive oil/lime mixture.
- Brush olive oil on the preheated air fryer basket and gently place the fish in the basket without filets touching.
- Bake at 400F for 9-11 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Internal temp of the fish should be 137F and it should be white and flaky.
Notes
- The fish will cook more evenly if you allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before cooking.
- The cooking time may increase if the filets you use are thicker than 1-inch.
- You can put the filets in while still frozen. Cook at 400F for 3-5 minutes and THEN season. Continue cooking until the fish is fully cooked.
Place fish in a baking dish and cook at 400F for 13-15 minutes or until fish is fork-tender and 137F.
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