This fried mahi mahi recipe has been a staple in my house for years now. It's so simple and delicious that I always look forward to making it. The recipe takes tender mahi fillets and coats them in a savory, aromatic marinade. Then, they're coated in a seasoned breading and fried until the outside is crisp and golden brown on the outside with a light and flaky center. It's so decadent and delicious and couldn't be easier to make!
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MY TAKE ON FRIED MAHI MAHI
If you've been wondering how to turn this humble surface-dwelling fish into a light, crispy, perfectly seasoned fried fish, you've come to the right place.
This time around, I'm going to walk you through how to make one of my favorite fried fish recipes of all time - fried mahi mahi! This mahi mahi recipe has the perfect balance of flavors and textures. It's crispy and crunchy on the outside yet soft as butter on the inside. And the balance of spices in the marinade is out of this world!
This recipe is not only crazy flavorful but also super easy to make. In fact, the hardest part is waiting for the fish to marinate. After that, the rest of the recipe needs only 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time.
INGREDIENTS
For all the flavor that's packed into this fried mahi mahi recipe, the ingredient list is surprisingly simple. In fact, aside from the fish, everything else is pantry staples. Honestly, you probably have most of the ingredients on hand right now!
Anyway, here is what you'll need for the marinade:
- 6-8 mahi mahi filets, 3-4 oz each
- 1 serrano pepper
- 4 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
And here's what you'll need for the breading:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon old bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- Vegetable oil for frying
That's not too bad, right?!
Now, if you don't have every spice on this list, feel free to get creative and use whatever you have on hand. I love adding a little onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper or chili powder for a spicy kick. But of course, use whatever seasonings you like!
HOW TO FRY MAHI MAHI
Alright, now that we've gone over the ingredients, let's make some fried mahi mahi!
And trust me when I say it really doesn't get simpler than this recipe. You basically just blend the spice mixture, then marinate the fish. Once that's done, all that's left to do is dredge it and fry it up.
The longest part is marinating the fish, but I like to do that the night before so this recipe can come together even more quickly.
Anyway, let's stop wasting time and get to frying!
STEP ONE: MARINATE THE FISH
First you'll add the serrano pepper and garlic to a food processor and pulse until smooth and combined. Then, transfer the mixture to a shallow bowl and add lemon juice, cumin, and salt. Give it a stir to fully combine everything, then add the fish fillets.
Once the fish is thoroughly coated, let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
STEP TWO: DREDGE THE FISH
While the fish is marinating, you can get your breading station ready to go. To do this, add flour, bread crumbs, and egg to three separate shallow bowls. Add the paprika and old bay seasoning to the breadcrumbs and stir to combine. Add mustard to the eggs and whisk to combine.
Now it's time to dredge the fish, starting with one fillet at a time. Coat each fillet in the flour, then the egg, and finish with the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining mahi fillets.
STEP THREE: FRY THE FISH
Now it's time to finally fry the fish. Start by pouring 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side. The fish is ready when it turns a medium golden-brown color.
Once the fish is fully cooked, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat this process with the remaining fish until they have all been deep fried.
When all the fish are fried, enjoy them as is or with a preferred sauce - I like mango salsa, but that's just me - some sliced lemon, or fresh lime juice.
HOW TO STORE FRIED MAHI MAHI
This recipe makes roughly 2-3 servings, depending on how hungry you are and what you're serving it with. That said, if you're hoping to feed more hungry guests or need some guaranteed leftovers, you can easily make a double batch.
Speaking of leftovers, if you have any, don't worry—it reheats surprisingly well! Just let your fish cool completely, then store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days.
If you'd like to keep your fish fresher for longer, transfer everything to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
HOW TO REHEAT FRIED MAHI MAHI
The best way to enjoy leftover fried mahi mahi is to either bake it in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or reheat it in an air fryer at 375°F for 4-5 minutes.
I wouldn't recommend microwaving fried mahi mahi as it can get gummy and lose its crispiness.
FAQS ABOUT THIS FRIED MAHI MAHI RECIPE
DOES MAHI MAHI NEED TO BE COOKED THROUGH?
Yes, in order to avoid foodborne illness, mahi mahi should be fully cooked through. It needs to reach an internal temperature of 137-145°F in order to be considered safe to eat.
DO YOU NEED TO SKIN MAHI MAHI BEFORE COOKING?
Yes, if your mahi mahi filets have the skin attached, it should be removed before cooking.
IS MAHI MAHI GOOD FOR FRYING?
Yes! Mahi mahi is a great frying fish because its firm texture allows it to withstand dredging and deep frying without falling apart.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well, that's how to make fried mahi mahi!
My family is obsessed with this recipe, and after one bite, you'll understand why. Not only is it super flavorful and perfectly crisp, but it's so easy to make. As much as they enjoy eating it, I enjoy making it even more!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this fried mahi mahi recipe as much as I do.
As always, if you give this recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
MORE DELICIOUS SEAFOOD RECIPES
Easy Fried Mahi Mahi Recipe
This fried mahi mahi recipe has been a staple in my house for years now. It's so simple and delicious that I always look forward to making it. The recipe takes tender mahi fillets and coats them in a savory, aromatic marinade. Then, they're coated in a seasoned breading and fried until the outside is crisp and golden brown on the outside with a light and flaky center. It's so decadent and delicious and couldn't be easier to make!
Ingredients
For the fish:
- 6-8 mahi mahi filets, 3-4 oz each
- 1 serrano pepper
- 4 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the breading:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon old bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
1. Add serrano pepper and garlic to a food processor and blend until fine. Transfer to a shallow bowl and add lemon juice, cumin, and salt. Mix then add the fish filets.
2. Let the fish marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. To make a breading station, add flour, bread crumbs, and egg to 3 separate shallow bowls. Add paprika and old bay seasoning to the breadcrumbs and mix. Add mustard to the egg and whisk.
3. Working with one filet at a time, dredge into the flour, dip into the egg mixture, then coat with the breadcrumbs. Repeat with the remaining mahi mahi pieces.
4. Pour 2-inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet, and heat oil over medium high heat. Fry 3-4 fillets in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes on each side until medium golden brown in color.
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