My air fryer mahi mahi is tender, flaky, and coated in panko for just the right crunch. I use simple spices to bring out the natural flavor of the fish, and it cooks up super fast in the air fryer!
This post may contain affiliate 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.
My Easy Recipe for Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
On vacation a few years ago, I ordered mahi mahi at a local beachside place and couldn’t stop thinking about how light and crispy the fish was. I wanted to recreate something similar, but deep frying uses too much oil and involves way too much cleanup for me. So I decided to try air fryer mahi mahi!
I’ve tried baking and pan-frying mahi mahi before, but nothing gave me that crispy coating and tender fish quite like those vacation ones. But, making the mahi mahi in the air fryer has completely changed that.
I tossed the fillets in a quick panko mixture with spices and put them in the air fryer. Twenty minutes later, when my family sat down to dinner, my husband Ben actually asked where I’d picked up the fish from. It was so good, he didn’t realize I’d made it right at home!
And if you love a good air fryer seafood recipe, try my recipes for air fryer salmon, air fryer cod, air fryer tilapia, air fryer shrimp, and air fryer crab cakes.
Air Fry Mahi Mahi Ingredients
- Mahi mahi fillets – This fish has a firm, meaty texture that holds up well in the air fryer. I use fresh or thawed fillets that are all about the same thickness for even cooking.
- Olive oil – Helps the breading stick and gives the outside a golden crisp. I’ve also used a different neutral oil, like vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Italian breadcrumbs work too, but I love the extra crunch the panko breadcrumbs get in the air fryer.
- Paprika – Adds a little warmth and depth without overpowering the taste of the fish.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – These give the coating more flavor without needing fresh garlic or onions.
- Salt and pepper – Just the right amount to bring out the natural taste of the fish and balance the other spices.
- Lemon wedges – Optional, but I like to squeeze a little lemon over the top right before serving for brightness.
How To Cook Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Place the fillets on a large plate and drizzle them with olive oil.
STEP THREE: In a shallow dish, mix the panko bread crumbs with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
STEP FOUR: One at a time, dip each fillet in the panko mixture, then place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spritz them with cooking oil using an oil sprayer.
STEP FIVE: Cook the fish for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- Pat the mahi mahi dry if necessary before adding oil and breading. I use a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture so the coating sticks better.
- Use similar-sized fillets for even cooking. I usually cut any larger pieces so they all finish at the same time.
- Coat the fish in oil right before adding the breadcrumbs so they stick. I do this in a small bowl to avoid extra mess.
- Spray the tops of the fillets with a little extra oil before air frying. It helps the panko brown nicely.
- Flip halfway through cooking to get both sides crisp. I use tongs and do it gently so the coating stays on.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. I make sure there’s space between each piece of fish so they cook evenly.
Air Fry Mahi Mahi Variations and Substitutions
- Add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the Panko breadcrumbs for a little heat. I do this when I’m craving a spicy kick.
- I sometimes use Cajun seasoning instead of the spice blend for bold Southern flavor that’s amazing for fish tacos!
- Swap olive oil for avocado oil for a milder taste and higher smoke point.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free. I’ve made it this way for a friend that doesn’t eat gluten and couldn’t even tell the difference!
- I season the fish with smoked paprika instead of regular when I want a deeper, smoky taste that’s great in sandwiches, tacos, or salads.
What to Serve with Mahi Mahi
I’ll typically serve mahi mahi with an air fryer baked potato, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer green beans.
If I’m making fish tacos, I’ll whip up some coleslaw and avocado crema or lemon herb tahini to go with all the usual toppings!
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi FAQs
How do I know when air fried mahi mahi is done cooking?
I know the mahi mahi is ready when the fish flakes easily with a fork and the outside is golden and crisp. If it doesn’t flake easily, I’ll cook the mahi mahi in the air fryer for another 2 minutes and then check it again.
How to cook frozen mahi mahi in the air fryer
Fish is hard to bread while frozen, but I’ll sometimes bread fresh mahi mahi and then freeze it as a form of meal prep! I bread the fish like usual, store in plastic zipper bags wrapped in foil, and freeze until I’m ready to cook.
To cook frozen mahi mahi in the air fryer, I preheat to 400 degrees F, place the fillets in a single layer, spritz with cooking oil, then cook for 13-14 minutes. I flip the mahi mahi halfway through the cooking time and spray the other side with oil when I do so.
How to reheat mahi mahi in the air fryer
I honestly think the air fryer is the best way to reheat anything breaded! I preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, place the fish in the air fryer basket, then cook for about 4 minutes until heated through and crispy on the outside.
How to store leftover air fryer mahi mahi
I store any leftover air fryer mahi mahi in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat it within a day. I make sure to let the mahi mahi fully cool first to prevent condensation that can seep into the breading and make it soggy.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
- Air fryer fried chicken
- Air fryer meatloaf
- Tri tip in the air fryer
- Air fryer brats
- Pork chops in the air fryer
Easy Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds mahi mahi fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Optional
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place the fillets on a large plate and drizzle or baste them with olive oil.
- In a shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each mahi mahi piece into the panko mixture, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spritz each generously with cooking oil.
- Cook them for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
- Remove them from the air fryer, serve with lemon wedges, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Pat the mahi mahi dry with a paper towel if necessary before adding oil and breading.
- Use similar-sized fillets for even cooking. I usually cut any larger pieces so they all finish at the same time.
- Coat the fish in oil right before adding the breadcrumbs so they stick.
- Spray the tops of the fillets with a little extra oil before air frying. It helps the panko brown nicely.
- Flip them halfway through cooking to get both sides crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket so each piece cooks evenly.
- To cook frozen mahi mahi, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for 13 to 14 minutes, spraying them with oil before and during cooking, and flipping them halfway through cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about a day.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 4 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I loved how crispy the mahi mahi breading came out in the air fryer. Delicious!
my kids loved these!
What a lovely fish dinner. SO healthy and delicious. I will make this again for sure.
Just what I was looking for. I buy the frozen mahi mahi at Costco and was looking for a new way to prepare it as we have fallen into a rut lately. (By the time dinner rolls around I am hungry and tired and not wanting to fuss too much on weeknights.) This was so easy and flavorful. I followed the directions exactly with my Ninja Foodi, and voila, picture food! I second the author’s recommendation for the evoo mister, it really comes in handy and eliminates the need for purchasing aerosol sprays. Thanks so much!
Only use half the amount of panko breadcrumbs.
Yes, how many breadcrumbs are used will depend on the surface area of the mahi mahi.
100% amazing! I may add some Cajun or creole next time to spice it up a bit! The whole family loves this one!
Made this recipe tonight. It was perfectly delicious. Because of the size of my mahi-mahi pieces, one cup of panko crumbs would have been more than enough. I did make the recipe amount and stored the extra in the frig. I will be using it to make this recipe again very soon.
I made this tonight! Flavor was great but my breadcrumbs weren’t sticking very well. Some did but once I transferred it and began eating it, it got kind of mushy and they slid off. Any idea where I could have went wrong? I was thinking maybe too much olive oil before dipping or the fresh caught Mahi filet I used was a little more fatty. Perhaps longer cook time? They were definitely cooked through and I hate tough fish, but wondering if for this method it would have been okay if I let in longer. Look forward to your advice. But breadcrumbs on or off it was delicious and easy.
Hi Laura,
Did you happen to spray the breadcrumbs with an oil sprayer in the air fryer when cooking? I find that that is the best way to really crisp up the breading. The excess olive oil could do it as well, but cooking longer would not be the culprit. I hope that helps!
I’ve made this twice now and it’s delicious but my panko isn’t sticking. I have more crumbs in the bottom of my air fryer than on my fish. Yes, I sprayed it with oil after putting in and half way.. Wondering if an egg would do better than the oil.
Hi Lisa, it’s super important to make sure the fish is patted dry before coating it with oil or the oil and breadcrumbs will not stick, but you can definitely use egg instead if you would like!
This looks delicious! Thank you. Question: How is it that you would cook frozen mahi mahi for less time? Is that an error in the directions?
Hi Michelle, I find the mahi mahi cooks in about the same amount of time because you can cook it at a higher temperature when it’s cooked from frozen.
What a fabulous recipe! Very delicious! I used 1 cup of Panko, and it turned out perfect! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Great recipe!
I used fresh mahi-mahi steaks and used olive oil spray and it came out perfectly!