Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Mahi Mahi

This lemon garlic mahi mahi recipe is one of my favorite quick-and-easy dinner ideas when I want something light, flavorful, and ready in about 15 minutes. Mahi mahi is a mild, flaky white fish that loves bold citrus and garlic — and the combination of fresh lemon, aromatic garlic, and simple seasonings never fails to deliver. It’s perfect for weeknights, date-night dinners, or anytime you want something wholesome without a ton of fuss.

Mahi mahi cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with bright, acidic flavors that help enhance its natural sweetness. I like to serve this with fluffy rice and roasted vegetables, a simple green salad, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter meal. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can switch easily to the oven or skillet — all of which still give you tender, flaky results.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

4 filets of Mahi Mahi

2 Lemons

2 cloves of Garlic, crushed

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Black Pepper

½ tsp Salt

Instructions:

1. Pat the mahi mahi fillets dry with paper towels — removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and promotes even cooking.

2. In a bowl, combine the lemon juice, crushed garlic, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the mahi mahi and toss gently so each fillet is coated in the citrus and spices.

3. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat to 400°F (200°C). If you’re using an oven, preheat to 400°F and lightly oil a baking dish. In a skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high.

4. Place the seasoned fillets in the air fryer basket (or in the hot skillet/oven dish), avoiding overlap. Top each fillet with a couple of lemon slices. Cook for 8–10 minutes in the air fryer, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. If using the oven, cook for 10–12 minutes; for the skillet, cook about 4–5 minutes per side until golden and done.

5. Remove the mahi mahi from heat and plate it with extra lemon slices. Squeeze more lemon juice over top if you like — it brightens the dish even more.

Tips for Best Results:

• Pat the fish dry before seasoning so the lemon and garlic cling beautifully and the fillets cook evenly.

• Don’t overcook: Mahi mahi cooks fast — once it flakes easily with a fork, it’s done. Overcooking can make it dry.

• Add fresh herbs: A sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil at the end adds color and fresh flavor.

• Try different cooking methods: Air fryer gives great texture, but oven baking and skillet searing work beautifully too (and only take a few extra minutes).