This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This blackened mahi mahi is coated in homemade Cajun seasoning and cooked to buttery perfection in the air fryer or stovetop. This is an easy and elevated fish dinner that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal that tastes like takeout.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Expert Tips for Perfect Mahi Mahi
- What to Serve with Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Storage & Reheating Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- More Healthy Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
- The Best Blackened Mahi Mahi (Stovetop or Air Fryer) Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Blackened Mahi Mahi Recipe
If you’re already a fan of my Fish Taco Bowls with Mango Salsa, then you're going to love this take on air-fried blackened mahi mahi.
I'm currently on an air fryer kick and trying to discover what it can’t do. Honestly, I haven’t found a flaw yet, this little kitchen appliance is seriously my BFF! This air fryer mahi mahi recipe tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, but it’s so quick and easy to prepare at home. Air frying creates a deliciously crispy outer layer while keeping the inside tender and buttery. It's truly one of the best healthy fish recipes you’ll find!
If you've been searching for easy fish recipes or new mahi mahi recipes to add to your weeknight rotation, this one is a keeper. Whether you love fish tacos, pan-seared mahi mahi, grilled mahi mahi, or any other seafood recipes, this air fryer version gives you that bold, blackened flavor with minimal effort.
And if you fall in love with cooking fish fillets in the air fryer, try this Air Fryer Halibut!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mahi Mahi Fillets: Frozen or fresh, about 6 oz each, thawed. Costco frozen mahi mahi fillets work great!
- Ghee: Can substitute vegan butter for dairy-free.
- Avocado Oil: Olive oil or your preferred neutral cooking oil also works.
Cajun Spice Rub
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Cayenne pepper (or chili powder)
- Salt and black pepper
How to Make Blackened Mahi Mahi
Step 1: Combine all the Cajun seasoning ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Ensure fish is thawed completely, then pat dry with paper towels. Coat each fillet evenly with the spice mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere.
Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket lightly with cooking oil. Place fillets in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 8 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Stovetop: This blackened fish recipe also works on the stove! Just heat ghee and avocado oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet. When hot, add seasoned mahi mahi. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until flaky. Rest briefly, then squeeze fresh lemon juice on top before serving. It's a great alternative if you prefer pan-seared mahi mahi over the air fryer method.
Expert Tips for Perfect Mahi Mahi
- Clean your air fryer basket promptly after cooking to manage odors. Simply wash with warm, soapy water.
- Adjust spice levels easily. Add more cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or reduce it for milder tastes. It's one of my favorite spicy fish recipes!
- Cooking time recommendations are based on 6oz fillets. For thicker or thinner fillets, adjust timing slightly.
What to Serve with Blackened Mahi Mahi
Try it with my Mango Salsa for a fruity, zesty contrast or serve over a bed of Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice for a simple, satisfying meal. I also love this alongside Mexican Street Corn Salad or tucked into tortillas like I do with my Baja Shrimp Tacos.
You can also enjoy this quick seafood dinner alongside a sweet potato side dish (like these sweet potato fries), with a drizzle of lemon butter sauce, or a spoonful of fresh peach salsa.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently in the air fryer or stovetop and serve with your favorite salsa.
Recipe FAQs
Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil and ensure the fish is coated evenly with seasoning to prevent sticking.
This usually happens when the fillets are too thin or overcooked. Stick with 6 oz fillets and check the doneness at the 7 minute mark.
Yes, but you'll need to thaw it completely and pat it very dry. Excess moisture prevents the spice rub from adhering!
Make sure the air fryer is preheated and don't overcrowd the basket – airflow is key. Lightly spraying with oil helps too.
Absolutely! Just reduce or skip the cayenne pepper for a milder version. You can also swap in smoked paprika for extra depth.
More Healthy Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
20-Minute Chilean Sea Bass Recipe with Lemon-Caper Butter
Southwest Keto Salmon Patties with Avocado Aioli
Gluten Free Fish and Chips
Easy Instant Pot Jambalaya Soup
The Best Blackened Mahi Mahi (Stovetop or Air Fryer)
Equipment
- 1 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet or 10-inch works – you may need to do the fish in batches of 2
- Air Fryer optional if not using stove top
Ingredients
- 4 mahi mahi fillets, about 6 oz each, thawed. I get the frozen fillets from Costco!
- 2 tbsp ghee, or vegan butter for dairy free
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Cajun Spice Rub
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, more if you like heat!
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Add the spices into a bowl and mix to combine.
- Make sure the fish is thawed thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over each fillet, coating it completely and pressing down with your fingers to make it stick.
Stove Top / Skillet
- Heat the butter and oil in a large cast iron skillet. When sizzling hot, add the mahi mahi. Cook for 3-4 minutes without touching, then carefully flip and cook for another 3 minutes. The fish should flake easily at that point.
- Let it rest for a couple of minutes, then serve with a squeeze of lemon on top. I like to serve this with some fruity salsa, potatoes, rice, or veggies!
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi
- Preheat air fryer to 400 for 3 minutes.
- Spray the basket with cooking oil, then add the fillets in an even layer (you may need to do this in batches).
- Air fry for 8 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust spice levels easily. Add more cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or reduce it for milder tastes. It's one of my favorite spicy fish recipes!
- Cooking time recommendations are based on 6oz fillets. For thicker or thinner fillets, adjust timing slightly.
- Clean your air fryer basket promptly after cooking to manage odors. Simply wash with warm, soapy water.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
Easy recipe to whip up last minute for my meal! I loved this and shared immediately with my sister to try! I made mine in the air fryer and it was quick and easy to clean up!
great recipe delicious
Fixed this today in the air fryer and it was delicious!! I love Mary’s recipes!! Thanks for creating so many amazing dishes!!