Blackened Mahi Mahi
This blackened mahi mahi is coated in homemade Cajun seasoning and cooked in the air fryer or on the stovetop. This recipe is easy enough for a quick weeknight meal, but elevated enough to serve at a dinner party, and I love it because it feels like restaurant quality for a fraction of the price.
Servings: 4 servings
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
Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 732mg | Potassium: 739mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 430IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg