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    Fried Mahi Mahi Recipe | The Best Way To Cook Mahi Mahi

    by Brendan Cunningham 25 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This fried mahi mahi has a crispy golden coating on the outside while keeping the fish tender and flaky on the inside. And I included a creamy, slightly spicy, and refreshing sauce to complete this mahi mahi recipe. It'll have you thinking it's from a five-star restaurant, but it takes under 20 minutes to make at home!

    Three pieces of mahi-mahi overlapping one another with a dipping sauce in our wake up next to it on a gray plate on a gray counter.

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Fried Mahi Mahi
      • Ingredients 
      • How to Make Fried Mahi Mahi
        • Step 1: Prep Work 
        • Step 2: Breading 
        • Step 3: Frying 
        • Step 4: Making the Sauce & Serving 
      • How To Store Mahi Mahi
      • FAQS ABOUT THIS FRIED MAHI MAHI RECIPE
        • How is mahi mahi supposed to be cooked?
        • What does mahi mahi taste like?
        • How do you know when mahi mahi is done?
      • Wrapping It All Up 
    • MORE SEAFOOD RECIPES
    • Fried Mahi Mahi | The Best Way To Cook Mahi Mahi
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Fried Mahi Mahi

    Mahi mahi is one the most popular fish to make and for good reason. The fillets have a tender, flaky texture with a mild and subtly sweet flavor.

    And if you've been looking for the easiest - most delicious - and best way to cook mahi mahi, this recipe is it!

    This pan-fried mahi mahi has a crunchy and crispy bread crumb crust surrounding the tender fish fillet to create a beautiful texture contrast. And then when you pair it with the creamy lemon sriracha sauce it makes for an unforgettable combination of deliciousness.

    Having said all that, the best part of this entire recipe might be the fact that it takes under 20 minutes from start to finish to make!

    And the simple process makes this the perfect recipe to make on a busy weeknight, or, if you're hosting, and want to impress your guests. 

    Honestly, it's so quick and easy that you can make these 5 Ingredient Biscuits or garlic bread to go with it for the same amount of time! 

    Even if you aren't a big fan of fish - or have never tried mahi mahi before - I think you're going to love this fried mahi mahi recipe. My kids even love it, that's how good it is.

    Three pieces of fried mahi-mahi stagger on one another and a gray play with a cup of dipping sauce on the plate next to the mahi-mahi.

    Ingredients 

    Although it may seem like it, there are no fancy ingredients needed in this recipe!

    Instead, everything used is pretty common cooking ingredients, some of which you may already have in your kitchen. 

    Here's what you'll need to make this fried mahi mahi:

    • 1 Cup Bread Crumbs
    • 1 Tbsp. Mexican Seasoning
    • Salt and Pepper
    • 1-2 Eggs
    • 1 Cup Flour
    • 2 Mahi Mahi Fillets, Cut In Long Strips
    • Lemon Wedges To Serve
    • Vegetable Oil, To Fry

    And for the dipping sauce:

    • ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
    • 1 Tbsp. Sriracha sauce
    • 2 Tsp. Lemon Juice
    • 2 Tsp. Soy Sauce

    Now, you don't have to make the sauce, but I think any crispy fried food needs a little something for dipping.

    And this sauce is the perfect match - it's moderately spicy from the sriracha, super creamy from the mayo, and has a super refreshing flavor from the lemon.  It also goes really well with these fried jalapeños!

    By the way, you can use many of these same ingredients to make these fried pork chops, so you'll definitely want to check that recipe out next.

    A white dish with three mahi-mahi fillets in it, part of a plate with an egg on it, part of a bowl with breadcrumbs in it, a bowl with four languages in it, and a glass jar filled with flour all on a gray counter.

    How to Make Fried Mahi Mahi

    As I mentioned, the process of making this recipe is very simple. 

    All you have to do is a standard three-step breading technique, fry the mahi mahi, and mix the sauce ingredients. 

    Pretty simple, right?

    Now get out the ingredients, and let's get cooking!

    A fillet of mahi-mahi on top of flour in a white bowl. Surrounding it is a white bowl filled with egg, a small bowl with lime wedges, a glass jar of flour, and a white plate with breadcrumbs on it.

    Step 1: Prep Work 

    Depending on the size of your mahi mahi fillets, you can either leave them how they are or cut them length-wise for thinner strips. 

    After that, put the breadcrumbs, Mexican seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix them to combine. 

    Then, crack the egg in a second bowl, and whisk until the yolk combines with the white. By the way, you may have to use a second egg if you run out. 

    Lastly, add the flour to a third bowl and line it up with the other two bowls to create a breading station.

    A fillet of mahi-mahi in a white bowl of egg. To the right of it is a bowl of lime edges, a glass container of flour, and in front of it is part of a white bowl of breadcrumbs.

    Step 2: Breading 

    Now, pat the mahi mahi strips with a paper towel to make sure they're dry. 

    Then you will do the three-step breading technique for each fillet strip.

    First, coat each strip with flour on both sides, then dip it in the egg to cover it, and finish up by putting it in the bowl of breadcrumbs, making sure it's fully covered on each side.

    Repeat the process above for the rest of the fillets and set them on a plate.

    A gray plate with three pieces of breaded mahi-mahi on it. Next to the plate is a bowl of lime wedges, and a glass cup of flour with a spoon in it.

    Step 3: Frying 

    Once the mahi mahi is breaded, it's time to crisp them up!

    First, heat enough oil over medium-high heat to cover the fillets in a deep frying pan. And you'll want to heat the oil until it reaches 350°F (180ºC). 

    Then, when the oil reaches that temperature, add one mahi mahi to the pan - you can add more if the pan is big enough, just make sure they're not touching.

    Next, fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until they're nicely golden brown. Transfer the fried mahi mahi onto a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain the excess oil. 

    Fillet of mahi-mahi in a frying pan filled with oil. The frying pan is on a burner on top of a gray counter.

    Step 4: Making the Sauce & Serving 

    After you fry the fillets, you can make the dipping sauce.

    To do that, add all of the sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix them until they combine and a smooth sauce forms.

    Then serve the crispy golden pan-fried mahi mahi with the dipping sauce and enjoy! 

    A white cup with dipping sauce and three pieces of fried mahi-mahi on top of one another on a gray plate and a gray counter.

    How To Store Mahi Mahi

    This fried mahi mahi is best eaten fresh right after it's cooked. And if you're serving it for a family dinner or to guests, it's hard to believe you'll have any leftovers.

    But if you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. And you can store the sauce the same way. It makes a great lunch or dinner the next day! 

    The leftovers are actually really tasty eaten cold. But if you want to reheat the mahi mahi, the best way is to heat it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (180°C) until the internal temperature reaches 137°F (58°C).

    A hand holding a piece of fried mahi-mahi with dipping sauce on the bottom of it. It is being held over a white cup filled with dipping sauce on a gray plate.

    FAQS ABOUT THIS FRIED MAHI MAHI RECIPE

    How is mahi mahi supposed to be cooked?

    Mahi mahi can actually be cooked several ways - you can deep fry it like in this recipe, cook it in a skillet on the stovetop, make baked mahi mahi, and even air fry it!

    What does mahi mahi taste like?

    Mahi mahi is a very mild-tasting fish with a subtle sweet flavor. For this reason, it's a great fish to make if you don't love seafood or have never tried fish before! 

    How do you know when mahi mahi is done?

    You'll know that the mahi mahi is done for this recipe when the breading crips up to a golden brown color. You can also check the internal temperature and ensure it's at 137°F (58°C). 

    Three fillets of fried mahi-mahi on top of one another on a gray plate. The top fillet has sauce covering the front part of it and there is a dipping sauce on the plate to the left of the mahi-mahi.

    Wrapping It All Up 

    Well, that is how to make fried mahi mahi!

    The crunchy breading and flavorful dipping sauce will make this recipe quickly become one of your favorites. At least it has amongst my family.

    And since the fish is so mild tasting, this recipe is a big hit with kids and makes an excellent family dinner. Also, you can always double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe!

    Well, I hope you enjoy this mahi mahi recipe as much as me and my family do.

    Make sure to leave a comment below if you tried it, I'd love to hear what you think!

    MORE SEAFOOD RECIPES

    If you liked this fried mahi mahi recipe, here are a few of our favorite seafood recipes to try next:

    • Fried tilapia
    • Seafood boil
    • Baked haddock
    • Deep fried salmon
    • General tso shrimp
    • Sweet and sour shrimp 
    Print

    Fried Mahi Mahi | The Best Way To Cook Mahi Mahi

    Three pieces of fried mahi-mahi on top of one another on a gray plate. There is a dipping sauce on the plate to the left of the mahi-mahi.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 23 reviews

    This fried mahi mahi has a crispy golden coating on the outside while keeping the fish tender and flaky on the inside. And I included a creamy, slightly spicy, and refreshing sauce to complete this mahi mahi recipe. It'll have you thinking it's from a five-star restaurant, but it takes under 20 minutes to make at home!

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 3 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Fish

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 cup Bread Crumbs

    1 tbsp. Mexican Seasoning

    Salt and Pepper

    1-2 Eggs

    1 cup Flour

    2 Mahi Mahi fillets, cut in long stripes

    Lemon Wedges to serve

    Vegetable oil, to fry

    Dipping sauce:

    ¼ cup Mayonnaise

    1 tbsp. Sriracha Sauce

    2 tsp. Lemon Juice

    2 tsp. Soy Sauce

    Instructions

    1. Cut the mahi mahi filets into strips and pad them dry with a paper towel.
    2. Mix the breadcrumbs, Mexican seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
    3. Crack the egg in a second bowl and whisk it to combine the yolk with the white.
    4. Put the flour in a third bowl.
    5. Cover the fillets with flour, then soak them in the egg mixture, and cover both sides with the breadcrumbs.
    6. Heat the oil to 350°F (180ºC), then fry one or two at a time for 3-4 minutes on each side until they're golden brown.
    7. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
    8. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until combined and serve for dipping with the fried mahi mahi. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 306
    • Fat: 3.6
    • Carbohydrates: 44
    • Fiber: 3.4
    • Protein: 25

    Keywords: fried mahi mahi, pan fried mahi mahi, mahi mahi recipe, how to make fried mahi mahi, mahi mahi fried, mahi mahi fried fish, best way to cook mahi mahi, best way to cook mahi mahi fillet, fired mahi mahi recipe, deep fried mahi mahi, deep frying mahi mahi fillets, breaded mahi mahi recipe, deep fried mahi mahi recipe, lightly breaded mahi mahi recipe,

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen

      December 13, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      My kids loved this recipe. And it’s super tough to get them to eat fish. Thanks.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. John

      December 15, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Very good fish fry. Restaurant quality indeed.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Marie

      January 01, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      This turned out so much better than anticipated! I'll be making it again very soon.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Mitch S.

      January 02, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      Super easy, and totally yummy.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Dan L

      January 02, 2022 at 1:54 pm

      This was a great Friday fish fry recipe! My family all like it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Marissa

      January 03, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      I don't usually like fish that much but I really liked this!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Alexandra

      January 04, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      The crispy breading is wonderful, just loved it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Bryan

      January 05, 2022 at 11:50 am

      The fish was great and the dipping sauce really did go well.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Augie

        April 15, 2022 at 6:49 pm

        This was super easy make and it came out delicious . Nice golden brown fish. Added some garlic and parsley to the
        dipping sauce which worked well. Would serve this anytime .

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    9. Jason

      January 06, 2022 at 9:11 pm

      Breading is top notch.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Jonathan

      January 09, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      Best fish that I have made at home.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Lauren S.

      January 10, 2022 at 1:20 pm

      Had this yesterday and family loved it. We're making it this week for a Friday fish fry!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Mark

      January 10, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Crispy crunchy goodness!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Ava

      January 11, 2022 at 9:13 am

      The crunch is fantastic! I will make this mahi mahi recipe again.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Becca

      January 12, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      Very crispy and delicious fish!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Megan

      January 13, 2022 at 10:42 am

      Super delish!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Liam

      January 14, 2022 at 8:28 am

      Next level fish fry right here.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Susan

      January 16, 2022 at 11:03 am

      I used Panko breadcrumbs and it was delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Anna

      January 17, 2022 at 10:50 am

      We tried this last night and loved it. Will be making again on Friday!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. Janet

      February 08, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Splendid fish fry that I loved.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    20. Sally

      February 12, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      It was better than any fish fry I've made at a restaurant!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. L.A.C.

      May 05, 2022 at 12:55 am

      Super simple and quick and yet very delicious. Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    22. Matt

      November 03, 2022 at 6:56 pm

      I've never left a recipe review before but this one is so good I felt obligated. My fussy toddlers wolfed this down. A big win!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    23. C.V.

      March 21, 2023 at 1:29 am

      I was wondering what is Mexican seasoning? Is that like taco seasoning?

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        March 21, 2023 at 5:55 pm

        Yes, just any Taco seasoning!

        Reply

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