Pan-fried mahi mahi is an easy fish dinner with a crispy panko coating that cooks in a hot skillet. The fish is flaky and moist. Serve it with bang bang sauce, lemon wedges, coleslaw, or fries for an easy Florida seafood dinner.
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- Crispy pan-fried mahi mahi with panko breadcrumbs
- Flaky white fish with golden crunchy coating
- Served with creamy bang bang sauce
- Easy seafood dinner ready in about 20 minutes
- Great with coleslaw, rice, fries, or vegetables
Florida Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi, also called dorado or dolphin fish, is a firm, lean fish with mild flavor and meaty texture. It holds up well to grilling, broiling, frying, and pan searing, making it one of the easiest fish to cook at home.
Mahi mahi is found in warm waters of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is especially popular in the Florida Keys and Hawaii, where fresh mahi is commonly served grilled, blackened, or fried.
Cooking Mahi Mahi at Home
In this recipe, the fillets are coated in seasoned Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs and pan-fried in a small amount of oil until golden on the outside while staying moist and flaky inside.
Panko breadcrumbs create a light, crisp coating that pairs well with mahi mahi without overpowering the fresh flavor of the fish.
Ingredients
- mahi mahi fillets, fresh or defrosted if frozen
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- panko breadcrumbs
- Old Bay Seasoning
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- vegetable oil, for frying
- lemon wedges, for serving
- chopped parsley for garnish
See recipe card below for quantities.
How to Fry Mahi Mahi
- Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Cut into portions. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Add the flour to another shallow bowl. Whisk in Old Bay, salt and a little black pepper.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
- Dip each piece of fish into the flour, then the egg, then press into the panko breadcrumbs so they stick to the surface of the fish.
- Add about ¼ inch to ½ inch of vegetable oil to a large heavy bottomed skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Carefully place the breaded fish into the hot oil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- If you're not ready to serve, transfer the fried mahi mahi to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.
- Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley for an extra pop of color.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges, tartar sauce or bang bang sauce.
Bang Bang Sauce
Bang Bang Sauce is a creamy sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce popularized by the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain.
To make it, mix together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha, and a little hot sauce to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For a milder version, use mayonnaise and ketchup instead of the spicy sauces. A little pickle relish also tastes great mixed in.
Storage and Reheating
Let the fried mahi mahi cool slightly before storing so the coating stays crisp. Place the fish in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm the fish in a 350°F oven or air fryer until heated through.
What To Serve With Fried Mahi Mahi
Our favorite sides include:
- Sweet Coleslaw
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Lemon Asparagus Rice
- Mango Pico de Gallo
- Roasted Asparagus
- Stovetop Parmesan Green Beans
- Mixed Green Salad
Check out What Goes with Fish Sticks for a full list of sides!
More Sauces for Fried Fish
These sauces pair well with fried mahi mahi:
How to Garnish Fish Dishes
- Always serve fried mahi mahi with fresh lemon wedges.
- Fresh parsley also adds fresh color to the plate.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle the fish with flaky sea salt right before serving. Flaky salt adds light crunch and a clean finish that works especially well on fried fish.
Learn about garnishing fish in our guide: Garnishing with Parsley.
Summary
Pan-fried mahi mahi is an easy seafood dinner with a crisp panko coating and flaky fish inside. Cook the fillets in a hot skillet until golden brown on both sides, being careful not to overcook the fish.
Serve fried mahi mahi with coleslaw, rice, potatoes, or dipping sauces for an easy Florida Keys-style meal.
For food safety, cook mahi mahi to an internal temperature of 145°F according to USDA guidelines.
For more delicious Mahi recipes, visit The Best Mahi Mahi Recipes.
FAQ
Mahi mahi has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a firm, meaty texture. It is not overly "fishy," which makes it a good choice for people who are newer to cooking seafood at home.
Yes. Thaw the fish completely in the refrigerator and pat it dry before breading and frying.
Tartar sauce, creamy pink sauce, cilantro lime crema, cocktail sauce, and lemon garlic sauce all pair well with fried fish.
The fish should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of regular panko breadcrumbs. Also check that your seasonings and dipping sauces are certified gluten-free.
Pan Fried Mahi Mahi with Creamy Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds mahi mahi fillets
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
- chopped parsley for garnish
- lemon wedges for serving
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Instructions
- If you're using the bang bang sauce, mix the mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, and hot sauce in a medium bowl or small jar. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Pat the mahi mahi dry with paper towels. Cut into portions. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the flour to another shallow bowl. Whisk with Old Bay, salt and a little black pepper. Place the panko breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
- Dip each piece of fish into the flour, then the egg, then press into the panko breadcrumbs so they stick to the surface of the fish.
- Add about ¼ to ½ inch of vegetable oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Carefully place the breaded fish into the hot oil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- If you're not ready to serve, transfer the fried mahi mahi to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.
- Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley for an extra pop of color.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges, tartar sauce or bang bang sauce.
