If you are looking for an easy air fryer recipe, look no further. Indulge in this delicious air fryer mahi mahi with a crunch, paired with a sweet and spicy yogurt dipping sauce that's simply irresistible. Better set the table soon since it's ready to serve in less than 15 minutes.
Our air fryer mahi mahi recipe features healthy simple ingredients, making it a favorite in our household – our kids love it!
Other healthy seafood recipes we love are blackened cajun salmon, yellowtail flounder with lemon butter sauce, pollock with parmesan crust, and spicy cajun shrimp bowl (to name a few!).
But that's not all; the real star of this dish is the sweet and spicy yogurt sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor to the fish.
Setting intentions before a meal is a wonderful practice that aligns perfectly with our holistic approach to mindful living. For more information on setting intentions check out our free guide to intentions and affirmations
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Ingredients
This healthy meal only requires a handful of ingredients. The important part is choosing the best quality ingredients, to nourish your body with the best, and avoid the toxic ingredients that trigger inflammation and increase our toxic load.
Mahi Mahi Fish: It is important to choose wild-caught mahi. If you choose a frozen product, check the ingredients label to make sure that the only ingredient is mahi.
Oftentimes, companies add toxic ingredients to extend the shelf life and preserve color, but this is truly unnecessary and can contribute to health issues.
Mahi is a mild fish with a moderately firm texture, similar to other white fish. Cooking mahi mahi is relatively easy, so it is a great fish to start with if you are new to cooking fish!
Ghee: Grass-fed ghee or butter works well for a healthy cooking oil. It can also be substituted with avocado oil or coconut oil.
For the Sauce
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the way to go. Also, save some lemon wedges to serve with each plate. (For a different flavor, consider using lime juice)
Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt makes for a delicious sauce.
Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup is filled with natural sweetness and antioxidants!
Cayenne Pepper
For the Spice Rub
It is important to use organic spices and check the labels for hidden ingredients.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Search for organic panko bread crumbs with natural ingredients. Whole Foods and Natural Grocers are the most likely to carry a good quality product.
Garlic Salt: Sprouts has my favorite Organic Garlic Salt! You may also use garlic powder
Lemon Pepper
Onion Powder
Paprika
Instructions
1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Mix breadcrumbs and spices in a small bowl. Stir well.
Be sure to thoroughly defrost the fish and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Brush both sides of the fish with ghee or melted butter.
Season mahi mahi fillets with the crumbs mixture and drizzle lemon juice on top of the fish fillets.
For best results, gently rub the spices into the fish to get it to adhere.
3. Place mahi fish fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes.
Check the internal temperature of the thickest fish and make sure it is at least 137F.
It may need more cooking time for thicker fish.
Add 2 minutes and check the temperature again.
You can also test a small portion with a fork. If the fish flakes, it should be done and ready.
4. Mix yogurt, maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. Stir well.
Season with sea salt and black pepper. Serve Mahi Mahi hot on a large plate, with yogurt sauce on top or on the side for dipping. Serve with your favorite vegetable and/or ancient grain (like quinoa!). Enjoy!
Hint: Place the ghee or melted butter in a separate bowl. Use a silicone pastry brush to dip in the bowl and brush onto the basket as well as both sides of the fish.
That way, you won't contaminate your jar of ghee with a brush that touches raw fish.
The silicone brush works very well and is easily washed in the dishwasher.
Substitutions and Variations
For those on a low-carb or keto diet and want to lower carb intake, consider using almond flour in place of the bread crumbs. For the sauce, simply omit the maple syrup, or swap it out for pure monk fruit, which is a low-carb natural sweetener.
For a spicier fish, consider adding chili powder or cayenne to the crumb mixture.
You can also easily make mahi mahi tacos with this recipe. Shred fish and add to an organic tortilla. Add a simple mango salsa and top with the sweet and spicy yogurt sauce.
Air fryer fish tacos are simple, just air fry the tortilla for 3-4 minutes, then the fish per the instructions, and add your toppings! This type of fish tastes great in tacos, we love it!
For a one pan meal, toss some broccoli florets in garlic butter or some avocado oil and seasoning and add to the air fryer basket for an air fryer broccoli side! Be sure to only add the broccoli halfway through, to not overcook!
For a less crunchy fish, simply omit the bread crumbs and rub the seasoning mixture, sans the panko, onto the buttered fish fillets. This may be a preferred method for the fish taco version, too.
Equipment
Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer that ...Shop on Amazon
Air Fryer Basket (For use in an oven with an air fryer function)
Gotham Steel Crisper Tray f...Shop on Amazon
Silicone Pastry Brush
Walfos Silicone Basting Pas...Shop on Amazon
Fish Turner
KSENDALO Fish Spatula for N...Shop on Amazon
Meat Thermometer
Lonicera Digital Meat Therm...Shop on Amazon
Fillet Knife (if removing skin)
WÜSTHOF Classic 7" Fillet ...Shop on Amazon
Storage
Store cooked fish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 4 minutes. Do not microwave. You can also put in a skillet with a little oil and cover for a few minutes.
If you want to freeze your cooked fish, put it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the air fryer. Add a bit more oil to help it crisp up nicely.
Top tip
If your fish fillets come with skin on, you can either leave it on or take it off with a fillet knife. If you leave the skin on, be sure to place the fish in the air fryer skin side down.
FAQ
Every air fryer is different, as well as every fish fillet. Depending on the thickness and air fryer, cook for 8-12 minutes at 400F. You may want to add a few minutes for thicker filets. Getting to know your air fryer is essential, also. Some may get hotter than others and may only need to be 350-375F.
Here are a few tips to help your fish get crispier in the air fryer.
Be sure to leave room in between fish filets to allow the hot air to circulate through the air fryer basket and heat the food.
Dry your fish thoroughly with paper towels before adding oil. The oil should only be a very thin layer.
Consider increasing the temperature by 25 degrees and/or adding more time.
You can also spray the fillets halfway through to help them crisp more effectively.
Mahi is considered fully cooked at 137F. Using a fork, gently check to see if the fish flakes well. It should be lightly flaky and white. Using a thermometer helps to ensure it is fully cooked. Gently slide the instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fish fillet and wait for it to give a full reading.
You definitely can flip the fish in the air fryer halfway through the cooking time, although it is not always necessary. The hot air circulates around and under the air fryer basket and cooks it. However, flipping the fish may help lessen the cooking time.
We do not recommend using aluminum foil while cooking. Studies have shown that aluminum is a heavy metal and leeches into food, especially when subjected to heat. This heavy metal is extremely toxic and builds up in the body causing harm. It also contributes to Alzheimer's and is carcinogenic. Each of these highlighted links shows sources and studies regarding this.
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Pairing
We like to pair this delightful mahi mahi with sprouted quinoa and sautéed asparagus but feel free to choose your favorite side to go with it. Green beans and/or fresh salad pair well also.
Recipe
Easy Crusted Air Fryer Mahi Mahi (With Yogurt Sauce)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 wild-caught mahi fillets thawed, rinsed and pat-dried
- ½ teaspoon Garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon Lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 2 tb panko bread crumbs
- 1 Tb Grass-fed Ghee or butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the sauce:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ Tb maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Mix together panko bread crumbs and spices in a small bowl.
- Brush the fish on both sides with ghee or butter coat with panko seasoning mixture and squeeze a lemon over each fillet. Gently rub the crumbs and spice mixture into the top of each fillet.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with avocado oil or ghee. And place mahi in the basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes depending on thickness or until the fish flakes with a fork and is 137F. Test the thickest fish with a meat thermometer. If needed, cook for 2 more minutes and check again.
- While the fish is cooking, mix together yogurt, maple, lemon juice, and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Serve mahi mahi with a side of dipping sauce and your choice of vegetable or quinoa!
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
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Be well,
Natalie
Andréa says
Wow, this looks delicious. Never had mahi (you can't get it around here), but I sure wish I could.
Natalie Perry says
Check the freezer section, they might have it there!
Alexandra says
What a delicious recipe for mahi mahi - I love the spices in the crust, and the yoghurt sauce is so yummy, and the perfect accompaniment. A complete meal with a lovely salad on the side.
Natalie Perry says
So glad you enjoyed it!