This air fryer mahi mahi recipe is the easiest way to get perfectly flavorful and flaky fish in just 10 minutes! Using only two ingredients (mahi mahi and Cajun seasoning), this healthy, high-protein fish recipe is perfect for bowls, fish tacos, or just a quick weeknight dinner. Use fresh or frozen mahi mahi!
Want this recipe sent to you?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! (Check your spam if you have Gmail!)
One reader Jody commented: "Great tasting and so easy to make. Keeping this one bookmarked for future use. ★★★★★"
This post may contain paid links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
Jump to:
- Lyndsey's Favorite Things About This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How to Air Fry Mahi Mahi
- Oven Instructions
- Cooking From Frozen
- How to Serve Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- Recipe Variations
- Make Ahead, Storage, Reheating, & Freezing Tips
- Expert Tips for Cooking Success
- Recipe FAQs
- Other Air Fryer Seafood Recipes You Will Love!
- Easy Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Healthy seafood recipes are one of my favorite meals! This air fryer mahi mahi is so simple to make and packs so much flavor!
If you're a seafood lover, also check out our pan-seared shrimp, air fryer halibut with garlic butter, Old Bay salmon, Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, and Air Fryer Argentine shrimp recipe.
Lyndsey's Favorite Things About This Recipe
- Easy & quick. This healthy meal is perfect for busy weeknights. Done in less than 15 minutes, with a short prep time and cooking time of just under 10 minutes.
- High-protein, healthy, & low-carb. Gluten-free, no breadcrumbs, no Panko breading, with over 33 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 0 grams of carbs per serving.
- Simple ingredients. Only mahi mahi and seasoning.
- Versatile and customizable. Serve air fried mahi mahi in fish tacos on a sandwich, or in a bowl. Use other seasonings like blackened seasoning, breaded with Panko bread crumbs, or with teriyaki sauce.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Mahi Mahi fish filets. Select mahi mahi or any light white fish of equal size. If frozen, defrost the fish before cooking.
- Cajun seasoning: I used the same Cajun spice rub in our Instant Pot gumbo recipe. Use any seasoning mix of your choice. Spray the filets with avocado oil spray if desired.
How to Air Fry Mahi Mahi
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Prep. Pat fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Spray both sides of the mahi mahi with avocado oil cooking spray or your favorite nonstick spray or cooking oil.
- Select or prepare your seasoning. Mix your favorite seasoning blend or use a store-bought seasoning.
- Season. Season both sides of the fish fillet with Cajun seasoning.
- Air Fry. Place the fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can line the basket with a piece of parchment paper if you'd like, but it is not essential. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Large pieces may take 10-12 minutes.
Oven Instructions
Follow the preparation instructions for air frying mahi mahi. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Bake the fillets for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature (measured with a meat thermometer) registers 137°F.
Cooking From Frozen
To make frozen air fryer mahi mahi, rinse the fish under water to remove ice crystals. Pat it dry with a paper towel.
Coat each side of the fish with avocado oil before seasoning.
Air fry at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 137°F.
How to Serve Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- 🌮 In fish tacos. Make fish tacos topped with mango salsa or taco slaw.
- 🥙 In an entrée salad. Serve as a main dish with fresh salad like vegetable pasta salad, watermelon salad, spinach quinoa salad, or fresh grilled corn.
- 🥘 As a main dish. Serve alongside vegetable sides like garlic green beans, air fryer broccoli, or crispy asparagus.
- 🥣 In a bowl. Serve with lemon wedges on top of a rice bowl (like our air fryer salmon teriyaki bowl).
Recipe Variations
- Asian-inspired. Incorporate soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Caribbean. Use a jerk seasoning rub.
- Simple. Simple seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder, black pepper, and sea salt.
- Spicy. Add smoked paprika, chili powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend.
- Mediterranean. Marinate in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic.
- Breaded. Spray fillets with olive oil spray and coat with Panko breadcrumbs mixed with Cajun seasoning before air frying.
Make Ahead, Storage, Reheating, & Freezing Tips
- Make Ahead: Season air fryer mahi mahi and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 1 day before air frying. Be sure to use thawed fish within 24 hours of defrosting.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat by air frying for 3-5 minutes at 350°F or until fish is slightly crispy at the edges and heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze seasoned fish and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips for Cooking Success
- For the best results, follow the recipe card as written with no substitutions.
- Use fresh fish or defrost fish for the best taste and texture.
- Quick-defrost fish by removing the packaging from the fish and placing them in a plastic bag. Add the bag to a bowl of ice water and allow it to defrost for 20-30 minutes.
- Always pat the fish dry with paper towels before air frying. The seasoning will not stick if the fillets are wet.
Recipe FAQs
Mahi Mahi fillets are fully cooked at 137°F. You can find the temperature by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fish.
Test the fillet by using a fork to see how easily the fish flakes.
If it does not flake easily, it needs more time. Flip it and air fry it for up to 5 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
Yes, bake mahi mahi in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 137°F.
How long it takes to air fry fish will depend on the type of fish used as well as the thickness of the fillet. Generally, fish fillets take from 7-12 minutes in the air fryer.
If the fish is frozen, the cook time will be longer.
The temperature may not be high enough. The time and temperature for air frying fish will depend on how large the fillets are.
Larger pieces may take additional minutes. For crispy outsides, consider increasing the temperature towards the end.
Chewy fish is generally the result of being overcooked.
Follow the recipe on the low side of the time recommendations and use an instant-read meat thermometer to gauge doneness.
Mahi mahi is a light and flaky fish with a slightly sweet and mild flavor and a firm yet tender texture. It is a mild fish that is delicious!
You can cook this recipe with frozen fish. It is recommended to defrost the fish before adding seasonings.
Other Air Fryer Seafood Recipes You Will Love!
If you've made this recipe, would you please leave a star rating and comment below on the recipe card? If you want more simple + delicious eats, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.
Easy Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz mahi mahi fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning or your favorite seasoning blend
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Pat fillets dry with a paper towel. Spray with avocado oil spray and season with cajun seasoning.12 oz mahi mahi, 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- Place fish in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400F for 8-10 minutes.
- Test fillet by using a fork to see how easily the fish flakes. If it does not flake easily, it needs more time. Flip it and air fry it for up to 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
Oven Baked Instructions
- Pat fillets dry with a paper towel season with cajun seasoning. Place fish in a baking dish.
- Bake fish in the oven at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 137F and fillet flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
Want this recipe sent to you?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! (Check your spam if you have Gmail!)
Leeann says
I had to cook the fish a little longer. Nice flavors and easy to make.
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thanks for your review Leeann! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Ambre Gine says
This was is easy to make! The thicker the piece of fish the more moist is comes out. My kids find Cajun seasoning to be too spicy so used old bay, salt and dill and coconut spray because we were out of avocado. Definitely a keeper!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thank you so much for your 5-star review Ambre! I'm glad you family loved it.
Jody Hauersperger says
Great tasting and so easy to make. Keeping this one bookmarked for future use.
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thanks so much for your review and rating Jody! I'm so glad you liked it!