Name: Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning (similar to Old Bay); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon salt (See note); 1 ½ pounds mahi mahi fillets; 2 tablespoons avocado oil

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Our air fryer mahi mahi only uses a few simple ingredients and you get perfectly cooked fish every single time. It takes around 20 minutes from start to finish!

Close-up of air fryer mahi mahi with lemon and parsley.

Mahi mahi is hands down my favorite variety of fish. It’s meaty, tropical, and pairs really well with all kinds of sides. I love it with a scoop of cilantro lime rice or covered in pineapple jalapeño salsa.

More often than not, I cook mahi mahi in the air fryer. It’s fast, cleanup is easy, and I’m not heating the house up by turning on the oven. Plus, the fish gets flaky and moist in less time.

The result is perfectly cooked, flaky white fish that’s full of flavor. This mahi mahi recipe is the same one that I use for my fish taco bowls. If you haven’t tried them, I hope you’ll check them out!

How to Make this Recipe a Success

Use a parchment paper liner or grease the air fryer basket so the fish doesn’t stick.
Start checking the fish a minute or two early, and pull it as soon as it reaches 145°F or when it looks opaque and flakes easily.
To ensure you get the perfect temp, use a digital kitchen thermometer.
Don’t let the fish sit long and get cool. It will dry out and become tough.

How to Make Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

In a small bowl, combine the Old Bay, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, and salt then set aside.

Be careful with the Old Bay. It’s already salty. If you like less salty foods, consider reducing it or omitting the added salt.

Seasonings for air fryer mahi mahi in a small white bowl.

Mixed mahi mahi seasoning in a white bowl.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Make sure frozen fillets are completely thawed and well dried. Excess moisture changes the way the mahi mahi cooks.

Brush all sides of the fillets with oil then sprinkle well with the seasoning blend. Gently press the seasonings into the fish so they stick and don’t fly off while it’s in the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Right before you add the fish, line the basket with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.

Seasoned mahi mahi fillets in an air fryer basket.

Cooked mahi mahi fillets in an air fryer basket.

Arrange the fish in a single layer without crowding the basket. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes flipping halfway through. If you’re cooking the fish straight from frozen, add 3 to 4 extra minutes.

You may need to adjust the cook time a little depending on the thickness of the fillets.

The fish is finished cooking when it flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F on an instant-read thermometer. The mahi mahi shouldn’t appear dry or tough.

Serve with lemon wedges, a side of yellow rice, or flake into pieces and make mahi mahi tacos. Yum!

How to Store Leftover Fish Fillets

Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.

To reheat: Place it in a skillet on the stove top to reheat. Add a couple tablespoons of water, cover with a lid, and heat over low-medium until warmed through.

Air fryer mahi mahi on a white platter with lemon wedges.

Can you use frozen mahi mahi fillets in the air fryer without thawing them first?

Yes, you can, but I highly recommend thawing them ahead of time. It only takes a few minutes.

Frozen fillets make it more difficult to apply the oil and seasonings and they’re more likely to dry out due to overcooking.

If you choose to use frozen fillets, you’ll want to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure the fish cooks all the way through.