We are here to show you how to cook mahi mahi in air fryer with no breading to flaky inside with a bit of a crisp. Buttery and fork tender it’s faster than how long to bake mahi mahi and you don’t have to heat up your house either.
If you haven’t tried cooking fish in your hot air machine yet, it turns out fabulous! This one is simple with just butter, salt and pepper without breading for a healthy meal everyone will love. Give this easy air fryer recipe a whirl this week.
We have made all sorts of air fryer fish recipes at our house. It’s a food all of us love and is great for us too so it’s a win win. I mean anything out of the sea is super healthy for you and your heart to eat. Starting your kids out young serving this and they will become lovers of all swimmers too.
We started with fresh air fryer tilapia and that was amazing. Figured any type would work just as well so whenever I happened upon a sale I tried something new. Mahi is one of my faves since I lived in Hawaii throughout my childhood and it was served often so here it is.
Ninja Foodi Mahi Mahi
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
Air Fryer Frozen Mahi Mahi
SO I figured out how to make frozen fish in air fryer and shared that with y’all too. Really, you couldn’t tell the difference which was great because nobody knew I hadn’t defrosted it beforehand. If yours is still rock hard you’d want to use that timing and those instructions.
How Long to Air Fry Mahi Mahi
Using this method it only takes about 12 minutes! When it comes to cooking seafood there is a range of how done you want it. Unlike salmon in air fryer where some (like my husband) prefer it a bit more rare, this variety should be cooked all the way through.
Ingredient Notes
If you found another type of white fish (but mahi mahi is our fave) at the store you wanted to make, the timing would most likely work for that too. The biggest difference would be the thickness of course. Typically the middle is thick and ends are thinner. To fit inside your air fryer basket you’ll likely need to slice a large piece in half as we did with our air fryer catfish.
The biggest variation on the flavor of this fish would be what you add to the outside. Butter is a must when it comes to cooking fish in general if you ask us. It not only added a bit of creamy but it keeps it moist and if you use our favorite salted Kerrygold adds a bit of flavor too.
And then comes your favorite seasonings to add more flavorings. This is really up to you but go with the basics like salt and pepper (with a sprinkle of parmesan is nice too). We like the natural flavors of the sea to stand out so I go light on these.
Mahi Mahi Fish Nuggets
For a much quicker cook time you could follow our air fryer fish nuggets recipe. For those I do like to lightly bread the outside so you get kinda’ a pick up and pop into your mouth kinda’ meal (which is hard without a coating of some kind).
Tips for Success
Always spray the basket with non stick olive oil cooking spray to avoid sticking, and for an easier cleanup later. Melted butter will get the outside golden brown and there’s really no need to flip it halfway through. I actually recommend you don’t because it will likely start to break apart and become a mess.
Keep in mind that the larger the piece(s) the longer it will take. May take up to 15 minutes if they’re quite thick. With preheating you’d need 20 minutes total to make these.
How do you know when mahi mahi is done?
No matter how you cook or grill it you should check the temperature or just use a fork and ensure the middle is tender. 137 degrees F is the internal temperature recommended. I typically don’t use a thermometer for fish.
If you just take a fork and try to cut it with the side and it goes through smoothly and easily it is likely done. Look in the center to see if it is white too vs. still a bit transluscent.
From there you can enjoy it as is, with Ninja Foodi rice or with some tartar sauce for dipping. Make frozen air fryer tater tots as a side dish with dinnertime and even kids will love it.
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 for 5 minutes. Spray basket with non stick spray and place fillets inside without overlapping.
- In a bowl mix melted butter, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper together.
- Brush on top of fillets.
- Air fry for 12-14 until fish lightly browns on top and is fork tender and flaky in the middle when tested.
Video
Notes
Ninja Foodi Directions
Follow directions above using the lid that is attached and the air crisp button on the front. You can set fillet inside the round basket with the holes in the bottom that came with your pot.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other air fryer fish recipes you’ll love
Love all things swimming in the sea and want other ideas after this one?? Try our air fryer fried shrimp and/or a few air fryer fish tacos on Tuesdays!
FAQ
It has a firmer texture compared to other fillets with a mild flavor. If you would compare it to another it would be most similar to the taste of swordfish.
1. Mahi mahi is a delicate fish, so it is important to not overcook it.
2. Mahi fillets can be cooked with a variety of flavors, so experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite.
3. This white fish is versatile where it can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, potatoes, or vegetables
