Mahi Mahi is a versatile and well-accepted fish even for picky eaters due to its mild taste. It’s one of my favorites, so I’m going to share how to cook Mahi Mahi in the air fryer. This preparation method is super easy, helping you get dinner done quickly!
This guide is going to assume you’re using fresh or thawed Mahi Mahi. If yours is still frozen, learn how to defrost fish in the microwave to get your meal back on track.
Starting with fresh or thawed fish also gives you the best results when you plan to bread it, like the panko crusted Mahi recipe below.
You can also learn to cook frozen breaded fish in the air fryer. Whether you get a beer battered version or keep it breaded, the fillet will come out crunchy and delicious!
Can I Cook Mahi Mahi in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook Mahi Mahi in an air fryer.
In fact, it will deliver a nice sear on the outside and a perfectly cooked, flaky, yet moist inside. The air fryer is great for both breaded and non-breaded recipes, and whether you’re working with fresh or frozen fish.
How Long to Cook Mahi in the Air Fryer
Mahi needs to be cooked for 8-12 minutes in the air fryer, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 137°F.
If you are breading it, plan for it to be on the higher end of cooking time.
For extra thick pieces of fish (over 1” thick) you’ll need to plan for a couple extra minutes as well. Smaller pieces may take slightly less time.
What Temperature Should Mahi Mahi be Cooked in the Air Fryer?
Mahi Mahi is best cooked at a temperature of 400°F in the air fryer.
This helps deliver a browned (or crispy if breaded) exterior, while leaving the interior moist, flaky, yet thoroughly cooked.
How to Cook Panko Mahi Mahi in the Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F following manufacturer guidelines
- Pat Mahi Mahi fish dry with a paper towel, and remove skin if desired
- Set up a dredging station of flour, then a mixed egg, and finally panko bread crumbs, adding salt and pepper plus any other desired seasonings to each
- Dip fish in flour, then egg, and then press into panko bread crumbs on each side
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray
- Place Mahi Mahi fish in preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each piece if you have multiple
- Spray the tops of the fish with a spritz of olive oil
- Cook panko crusted Mahi in air fryer for 8 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through (reapply oil to new top side if you like it more browned)
- Check after 8 minutes, and add additional time in 1-minute increments if necessary
- Fish is done when a thermometer reads 137°F in the middle, or generally when it flakes easily with a fork
- Serve with your favorite sides or in tacos
For dietary needs, the egg and flour may be skipped if need be. Just press the panko directly on the fish instead. However, this does tend to fall off more easily.
If you happen to buy pre-breaded fish, then all the dredging steps may be skipped. Follow the rest of the cooking steps instead.
My two panko crusted Mahi Mahi filets took about 9 minutes in the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer to reach the correct temperature.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how easy it is to cook Mahi Mahi in the air fryer, you’ll never want to pan fry it or put it in the oven again. The air fryer is quick and requires not much tending, which is always a win to me.
The air fryer delivers a nice crispy crust on the fish, especially when you’re making a panko crusted version like the one in the recipe below.
You may even get your kids to eat seafood with these homemade air fryer catfish nuggets!
Speaking of crunchy, I made Trader Joe’s frozen empanadas in the air fryer, and they were absolutely packed with flavor!
Air fryers are also great for reheating fish, like when you need to reheat salmon in the air fryer.
Spicy Crunchy Panko Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos in the Air Fryer!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Fresh or thawed Mahi Mahi fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- Olive oil or nonstick spray
- 1/4 cup All purpose flour
- 1 Egg whisked
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1/2 tsp Garlic salt
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Shredded cabbage or lettuce
- 1 tbsp Chipotle sauce
- 4 Taco shells corn or flour
- 1 Lemon or lime cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp Cilantro chopped
- 1 Jalapeno (optional) sliced
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F following manufacturer guidelines
- Pat Mahi Mahi fish dry with a paper towel, and remove skin if desired2 Fresh or thawed Mahi Mahi fillets
- Set up a dredging station of flour, then whisked egg, and finally panko bread crumbs mixed with garlic salt and chili powder, adding salt and pepper to taste to each1/4 cup All purpose flour, 1 Egg, 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 tsp Garlic salt, 1 tsp Chili powder, Salt & pepper to taste
- Dip fish in flour, then egg, and then press into panko bread crumbs on each side
- Spray the preheated air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick sprayOlive oil or nonstick spray
- Place breaded Mahi Mahi fish in preheated air fryer basket, allowing air space between each piece if you have multiple
- Spray the tops of the fish with a spritz of olive oil
- Cook panko crusted Mahi in air fryer for 8 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through (reapply oil to new top side if you like it more browned)
- Check after 8 the minutes, and add additional time in 1-minute increments if necessary
- Fish is done when a thermometer reads 137°F in the middle, or generally when it flakes easily with a fork
- While fish is cooking, set out two taco shells on each plate4 Taco shells
- Fill each shell with approx ⅛ cup of shredded cabbage or lettuce1/2 cup Shredded cabbage or lettuce
- Cut cooked Mahi Mahi filet in half lengthwise, and place one half on top of cabbage in each taco
- Garnish with chipotle sauce, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime or lemon wedges on the side (add jalapenos if you like extra heat!)1 tbsp Chipotle sauce, 1 Lemon or lime, 1 tbsp Cilantro, 1 Jalapeno (optional)
Notes
- The egg and flour may be skipped if needed for dietary reasons. Spray the fish with oil, then press into the panko mixture directly. It will, however, fall off more easily
- Other flour types may be substituted for the all purpose flour
- Panko may be seasoned or unseasoned, your choice (I use unseasoned since I add my own)
- This recipe works well with other seasonings and flavor profiles as well, so feel free to swap different herbs and spices in – I like southwest seasoning or everything but the bagel seasoning too!
- Ingredients double easily, and no additional cooking time is needed for more, so long as there’s adequate room in air fryer basket
- This recipe takes me 8-9 minutes to cook in a Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. However, different brands and sizes of air fryers will vary
- Warm the taco shells in the microwave for about 30 seconds if you’d like a more pliable taco
- Other toppings if desired could include: roasted corn, jalapenos (fresh or pickled), cotija cheese, tomato, avocado, hot sauce, sour cream
- Nutrition facts will vary based on specific ingredients used, so please consider this a rough guideline
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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