This is the best blackened Mahi Mahi recipe. This healthy fish recipe is so easy to make and is ready in under 15 minutes! This Mahi Mahi is full of cajun flavour and can be made on the stovetop, on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer.
I love fish recipes like air fryer Mahi Mahi because they are so quick and easy to make, which is why I am so excited for you to make the delicious Mahi Mahi recipe I am sharing with you today!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- These blackened Mahi Mahi filets have the best flavour! A little sweet, a little spicy, and a little smoky.
- It's quick and easy to make and this Mahi Mahi recipe takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
- This healthy fish recipe is naturally gluten free, dairy free, low carb, keto, and paleo.
- I've included pan frying instructions, baking instructions, grilling instructions and air fryer instructions.
Don't have Mahi Mahi? Make blackened cod or one pan fried rice with tuna instead.
Ingredients and substitutions:
For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.
Jump to the Recipe Card.
- Mahi Mahi filets – If you bought frozen Mahi Mahi filets, let them thaw before cooking them.
- Blackened seasoning – this homemade blacked seasoning is made with smoked paprika, dried oregano, brown sugar or coconut sugar, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and basil. If you want an even easier option you could buy a store bought blackened seasoning instead.
- Avocado oil or olive oil - either of these cooking oils can be used to coat the fish and cook it in the pan.
Recipe variations and add-Ins:
- To make this blackened Mahi Mahi recipe Whole30 and keto or low carb: omit the sugar from the blackened seasoning.
- If you can’t find Mahi Mahi: cod, haddock or pollock would be great substitutes.
- If you don’t have smoked paprika you can use paprika or sweet paprika instead.
- To make the cajun spice rub less spicy: decrease the amount of cayenne, or omit it altogether.
- To make the blackened seasoning sweeter: add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or coconut sugar.
How to make blackened Mahi Mahi:
Step 1
To make the blackened seasoning, mix together the seasonings in a small bowl or jar.
Step 2
Wash and dry the Mahi Mahi fillets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture and then brush each side of the fish fillets with a little of the oil.
Step 3
Now evenly coat each side of the Mahi Mahi fillets with the blackened seasoning.
Step 4
Next place a pan or skillet on the stove on medium heat and add the remaining cooking oil to the pan. Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the fish is cooked.
Step 5
Remove the fish from the pan and let the fillets rest for 2-3 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Alternate cooking methods:
- To grill: Turn your grill or barbecue on to high heat and prepare the fish as you would for the stovetop instructions. Place the fish on the grill or bbq and cook for ~3-4 minutes per side, until the fish is cooked through. Let the fish rest for 2-3 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
- To bake in the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the fish as you would for the stovetop instructions. Note that you will only need 1 tablespoon of cooking oil if you make it this way. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper, transfer the Mahi Mahi to the baking sheet and bake it for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through.
- To air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the Mahi Mahi with the oil and spices. Then air fry the fish for 7-9 minutes, until cooked through. Let it rest for a couple minutes before serving.
Top tips:
- You will likely have some of the homemade cajun seasoning left over, simply store it in a jar to use at a later date.
- When buying the Mahi Mahi, try to buy fish filets that are about an inch thick. If you buy thinner pieces of fish, you will need to decrease the cooking time.
- Try and buy fish filets that are the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Depending on the size of the Mahi Mahi filets that you buy, you may have to adjust the cooking time.
- After it’s done cooking, let the Mahi Mahi rest for 2-3 minutes to become even more juicy and tender (just like you do for a steak).
Serving ideas:
Here are some of my favourite ways to serve this blackened Mahi Mahi:
- Serve with cooked vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli or cauliflower.
- Top it with mango habanero salsa, pineapple salsa or another fruit salsa. Homemade chunky guacamole is another delicious topping option.
- You could top it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime juice.
- You can pair it with white rice, brown rice, sweet potato rice, cauliflower fried rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
- Serve this fish with cajun butter sauce for even more flavour.
- Use it to make a Mahi Mahi sandwich or blackened Mahi Mahi tacos.
Blackened Mahi Mahi FAQs:
To make blackened fish, before being cooked the fish is coated in oil and blackened seasoning and then it is cooked in a hot pan, traditionally a cast iron skillet. This creates fish with a deep brown to black crust around the outside, giving it a blackened appearance.
Eating fish is recommend to help prevent heart disease, and fish is a healthy source of protein. Blackening fish is simply a cooking technique where the fish is coated in oil and blackened seasoning and then cooked in a skillet. Thus it is a healthy way to eat fish that adds more flavour to the fish and gives it a delicious blackened crust.
Many types of fish can be blackened including cod, Mahi Mahi, redfish, snapper, grouper or even salmon. Blackening works best for firm fleshed fish as the fish is pan fried and flipped in the pan, so if you try using a soft fleshed fish it can fall apart during the cooking process.
Mahi Mahi is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 137 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature it will flake easily. If you aren't sure if your Mahi Mahi is cooked you can check it with a meat thermometer to ensure it's reached the right temperature.
Store any leftover blackened Mahi Mahi in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Other seafood recipes you will love:
Recipe
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
- 2 Mahi Mahi fillets (~6 ounces each)
- 3 tablespoon cooking oil (avocado oil or olive oil)
Blackened Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the blackened seasoning by mixing together the smoked paprika, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, coconut sugar, cayenne, and dried basil.
- Wash and dry each Mahi Mahi filet with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Brush each side of the Mahi Mahi fillets with a little of the cooking oil.
- Evenly coat each side of the Mahi Mahi fillets with the blackened seasoning.
- Place a medium pan or cast iron skillet on the stove on medium heat and add the remaining cooking oil to the pan.
- Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned Mahi Mahi fillets and cook for ~3-4 minutes per side, until the fish is cooked through.
- Remove the fish from the heat and let it rest for a couple minutes before serving.
Notes
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
- Feel free to vary the spices in the blackened seasoning depending on your taste preference.
- Store any leftover cooked Mahi Mahi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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