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.
Spicy Crunchy Panko Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos in the Air Fryer!
Create crispy, moist, and delicious panko crusted Mahi Mahi in your air fryer. It’s delicious in these spicy, crunchy fish tacos, or on its own served alongside a veggie.
2Fresh or thawed Mahi Mahi fillets(about 4 ounces each)
Olive oil or nonstick spray
1/4cupAll purpose flour
1Eggwhisked
1cupPanko breadcrumbs(plain or seasoned)
1/2 tspGarlic salt
1tspChili powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2cupShredded cabbage or lettuce
1tbspChipotle sauce
4Taco shellscorn or flour
1Lemon or limecut into wedges
1tbspCilantrochopped
1Jalapeno (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 desired
2 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 each
1/4 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 spray
Olive 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 plate
4 Taco shells
Fill each shell with approx ⅛ cup of shredded cabbage or lettuce
1/2 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!)
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
Keyword air fryer fish tacos, fish tacos, how long to cook mahi in air fryer, how to cook mahi mahi in air fryer, mahi mahi air fryer time and temperature, mahi mahi recipe, panko fish, panko mahi mahi air fryer
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!
