Fried Mahi Mahi

A crispy, golden-crusted fried mahi mahi with tender, flaky fish inside. Served with homemade tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges, this dish is easy to prepare and perfect for dinner parties or weeknight meals. It’s versatile and can be cooked either in a skillet or air fryer.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crispy fish, easy mahi mahi, fish recipe, fried mahi mahi, seafood

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 320kcal

Author: info.thekitcheen

Equipment

Large skillet or air fryer
3 shallow dishes for breading
Meat thermometer (optional)

Ingredients

For the Fish:

4 mahi mahi fillets about 6 oz each
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika smoked if possible
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
Vegetable oil for frying canola or neutral oil

For the Quick Tartar Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp dill pickles finely chopped
1 Tbsp capers drained and roughly chopped
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp fresh dill chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

Lemon wedges
Fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

Prepare the Fish: Take the mahi mahi fillets out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Bread the Fish: Set up 3 shallow dishes: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and cayenne in the third. Dredge the fillets in flour, dip in egg, then coat in the panko mixture. Let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes if possible.
For Pan-Frying: Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 137°F.
For Air-Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Lightly spray fillets with cooking oil and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Make the Tartar Sauce: Mix all tartar sauce ingredients in a bowl. Chill for extra flavor if desired.
Serve: Serve the fried mahi mahi with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

For a lighter version, skip the flour and egg, and just season the fish, pressing it into seasoned panko.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

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