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    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Air Fryer Mahi Mahi with Garlic Butter

    Modified: Jan 16, 2024 · Published: Nov 15, 2022 by Angela Lietzke · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Easy Air Fryer Mahi Mahi with Garlic Butter is made with a few simple ingredients and can be seasoned any way you want (more on that below!) If you're looking for a quick, healthy dinner that's full of flavor and easy to prepare, try this delicious air fryer fish recipe with no breading.

    Seasoned air fryer mahi mahi on a grey plate with slices of lemon on the side.

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    This easy mahi mahi recipe is perfect with a side of rice and veggies or great for adding to fish tacos with slaw. Serve this fish with a side of Cajun tartar sauce for a fiery kick. Looking for another healthy seafood dinner? Try my favorite Italian salmon recipe next time.

    Jump to:
    • About Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment Needed
    • Flavor Variations
    • How to Cook Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

    About Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

    Mahi Mahi is a popular fish served at many restaurants and, lucky you, it's an easy fish to cook at home! Serve this healthy dinner option on a busy weeknight or as an easy dinner for hosting guests.

    You'll love this lean fish's sweet flavor and flaky texture. This mahi mahi is an easy air fryer recipe that works for both fresh or frozen fish fillets and will be ready to eat in only 10 minutes!

    Get ready for the best mahi mahi recipe - air fry mahi mahi to perfection with a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make this recipe: fish fillet, lemon, garlic, butter, salt and pepper.
    • Mahi Mahi fillets - You can air fry frozen fish fillets or fresh (thawed). Directions for both preparations can be found below.
    • Seasoning - salt, ground black pepper, and garlic. Find more ways to season mahi mahi below.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Equipment Needed

    • Air Fryer - You can find my favorite air fryer on Amazon.
    • Brush - I use a silicone basting pastry brush to easily spread butter or olive oil over the fillets.
    • Meat thermometer - Use an instant read meat thermometer to make sure the fish is fully cooked.

    Flavor Variations

    The subtle sweet flavor of mahi mahi is delicious seasoned with simple ingredients, such as: butter, minced garlic, salt and pepper. If you want to add some extra flavor, here are a couple other seasoning options:

    • To make blackened mahi mahi, coat the fish with Homemade Blackened Seasoning and drizzle melted butter over the top before cooking.
    • For mahi mahi tacos, sprinkle the fish with my homemade taco seasoning recipe then spray with olive oil before cooking.

    How to Cook Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

    In my opinion, the best way to cook mahi mahi is in the air fryer. Honestly, I love all air fryer fish! So, how to air fry mahi mahi:

    Coat the fish in a rich, garlic butter and seasonings of choice. Air fried mahi mahi gets slightly crisp on the outside and remains flakey and moist on the inside.

    First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent the fish from sticking to the bottom.

    Brushing butter and garlic onto an uncooked seasoned fish  fillet.

    In a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave and stir in minced garlic. Brush the melted garlic butter over the fish fillets and season as desired. Before cooking, spray the top of the fish with olive oil spray to prevent the garlic and seasonings from burning.

    Place mahi mahi in air fryer and cook for 10 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

    How to Cook Frozen Mahi Mahi in Air Fryer?

    Cooking air fryer frozen fish fillets is very similar to cooking thawed fish fillets. You may need to add on an extra minute or two for frozen mahi, but typically the cook time is the same.

    Uncooked mahi mahi in air fryer basket.
    Air fried mahi mahi fillet cooked in air fryer basket.

    If you cook frozen mahi mahi in air fryer check the internal temperature after 10 minutes. If it's lower than 140°F, add an additional minute of cook time until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached.

    A fish fillet on a plate with lemons on the side. A fork has a piece of fish on it.

    Recipe FAQs

    What does mahi mahi taste like?

    Mahi mahi is a firm, lean white fish that has a moderate fishy flavor and tastes mildly sweet. The fish is meaty, but still has a delicate texture and moist flakes.

    What to serve with mahi mahi?

    Some good side dishes for fish are air fryer green beans and cauliflower Spanish rice. Here is a collection of easy air fryer sides that would also be great to serve with mahi mahi. You can also enjoy air fried mahi mahi with a side salad.

    What is a good mahi mahi substitute?

    Mahi mahi is flakey like halibut and dense like swordfish, so the best substitute for mahi mahi would be halibut or swordfish.

    What should the internal temperature of mahi mahi be cooked to?

    Cook the fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F according to the FDA. I cook my fish closer to 140°F. Be careful not to overcook it as it will dry out. The fish will flake easily when it's done.

    Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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      Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
    • Air fried Chilean sea bass fillet on a plate with lemon wedges.
      Air Fryer Chilean Sea Bass Recipe
    • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs cooked in the air fryer are on parchment paper and sprinkled with fresh green parley.
      Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    • Three shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw, sliced avocado, cilantro, and creamy jalapeno salsa are on a cutting board.
      Easy Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw (4 Cooking Methods)

    If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!

    Seasoned air fryer mahi mahi on a grey plate with slices of lemon on the side.

    Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

    Angela Lietzke
    Air fryer mahi mahi is a healthy recipe made with simple ingredients. You can use fresh or frozen mahi mahi. Cook mahi mahi in air fryer for a delicious and quick meal!
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 247 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Meat thermometer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 mahi mahi fillets
    • 2 Tablespoons butter melted
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • lemon wedge optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil so the fish doesn't stick to the bottom.
    • Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper.
    • In a small bowl, microwave butter until melted and stir in minced garlic.
    • Using a pastry brush, brush the melted butter and garlic mixture over the fish fillets and place them in the air fryer basket.
    • Cook mahi mahi at 400°F for 10 minutes or until an internal temperature of 140-145°F is reached. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon on top, if desired.

    Notes

    • If you air fry frozen mahi mahi, check the internal temperature after 10 minutes of cooking. If it's lower than 140°F, add an additional minute of cook time until an internal temperature of 140-145°F is reached.
    • To make blackened mahi mahi, coat the fish with Homemade Blackened Seasoning and drizzle melted butter over the top before cooking.
    • For mahi mahi tacos, sprinkle the fish with Low Sodium Taco Seasoning then spray with olive oil before cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 32gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 240mgPotassium: 717mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 656IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hey y'all! I'm Angela, the blogger, recipe developer, and foodie behind Happy Honey Kitchen! Born and raised in Texas, I have a passion for Tex-Mex food. Here you'll find easy, approachable Tex-Mex recipes that bring the bold flavors of Texas straight to your table!

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